US Postal Service stops accepting parcels from China and Hong Kong

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has announced a temporary suspension of package acceptance from mainland China and Hong Kong, effective until further notice. The announcement has been published on its official website.

According to the USPS statement, the service suspension does not affect the normal delivery of letters. However, the statement did not explicitly state the specific reasons for making this decision, leaving many to speculate about the underlying factors.

This action follows President Trump's imposition of a 10% tariff on all goods imported into the United States from China. Trump's executive order also eliminated a de minimis exemption that allowed goods valued at $800 or less to enter the U.S. duty-free. Trade expert Deborah Elms noted that Trump's tariff adjustments would be particularly significant if goods were previously shipped directly from China to the United States via e-commerce.

In recent years, the so-called "de minimis loophole" has received increasing attention as Chinese e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu have used it to reach millions of American customers. According to a 2023 report by the U.S. Congressional China Committee, nearly half of all packages entering the United States through "de minimis" come from China. U.S. officials have pointed out that the large volume of packages entering the country through this exemption makes it increasingly difficult to screen for potentially illicit goods.

In response, China has stated that it will impose tariffs on some U.S. imports. Starting February 10, coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG) products will face a 15% tax. Crude oil, agricultural machinery, and large-displacement vehicles will face a 10% tariff. President Trump is expected to speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the coming days. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has contacted the USPS requesting more details regarding this decision.