Overview

• More than 20 national postal operators, including Australia Post, Japan Post, Swiss Post and Royal Mail, have paused most parcel shipments to the U.S. this week, disrupting cross‑border e‑commerce ahead of the August 29 rule change.
• The Universal Postal Union says 25 member states have suspended goods consignments to the U.S. and has relayed members’ concerns in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
• Starting August 29, parcels previously under the $800 threshold lose duty‑free status and will face country tariff rates or, for six months, fixed fees of $80–$200 per item, with narrow exemptions for letters and personal gifts worth about $100.
• Operators are building workarounds, with Royal Mail planning a delivered‑duties‑paid option and Australia Post partnering with a CBP‑authorised third‑party provider, while DHL and others continue to cite unresolved implementation details.
• Businesses report uncertainty over costs and potential backlogs, and some small sellers say they may shut their U.S. sales as shipping options tighten.