In a swift policy reversal, the United States Postal Service (USPS) announces it will resume accepting inbound mail and packages from China and Hong Kong, effective February 5, 2025. This decision comes just a day after the USPS had temporarily suspended such services in response to newly imposed tariffs on Chinese goods.
The initial suspension was prompted by the U.S. government’s implementation of a 10% tariff on imports from China and Hong Kong, coupled with the revocation of the “de minimis” exemption. This exemption previously allowed packages valued under $800 to enter the United States duty-free, a provision widely utilized by Chinese e-commerce platforms.
In a statement, the USPS clarifies that it is collaborating closely with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to establish an efficient mechanism for collecting the new tariffs, aiming to minimize disruptions to package deliveries.
The brief suspension had significant implications for the e-commerce sector, particularly affecting companies like Shein and Temu, which rely heavily on affordable international shipping. Following the USPS’s announcement to resume services, shares of related companies experienced notable market reactions.
This development occurs amid escalating trade tensions between the United States and China, with both nations imposing new tariffs on each other’s imports. The USPS’s actions reflect the operational challenges faced by logistics and shipping services in adapting to rapidly changing trade policies.
