European Mail Carriers Pause Some Shipments to U.S. as ‘De Minimis’ Exemption Ends

Post offices and mail carriers across Europe are planning to suspend some shipments to the U.S. in coming weeks as the “de minimis” trade rule is set to expire.

The de minimis rule, sometimes referred to as a “loophole,” allowed shipments valued at $800 or less to enter the U.S. duty-free. The practice is set to end for imports to the U.S. from around the world on Aug. 29 following an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Consequently, some smaller shipments from Germany, Spain, France, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Switzerland will be paused in coming days and weeks as the century-old “de minimis” policy comes to an end. Clothing shipments are expected to be especially impacted by the change.

Asian Impact

While European postal authorities are pausing shipments as they prepare for the de minimis exemption’s end, the most significant impact is expected to be on goods coming from Asia, notably China and Hong Kong, which account for the bulk of smaller shipments entering the U.S.

The European postal authorities say they have to pause shipments because their current systems aren’t configured for the new rules that exclude smaller shipments and they’re unsure how to properly process items under the new trade rules that are coming into effect. German shipping company DHL (DE:DHL), for example, issued a notice saying it can no longer accept parcels destined for the U.S.

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