US Postal services plummeted by 81%
The Universal Postal Union (UPU), a United Nations agency responsible for international postal cooperation, is working to address concerns raised by the introduction of new customs regulations in the United States. The changes, which came into effect on August 29, have eliminated duty-free status for global packages and have caused a significant decrease in international mail to the United States.
According to the UPU, 88 postal services worldwide have partially or completely suspended shipments to the United States, including DHL and Deutsche Post. This decrease, as reported by the UPU in Bern, amounts to an 81% drop in international mail to the United States since the new regulations were introduced.
The new customs regulations were justified by U.S. President Donald Trump, in part, due to concerns about smuggling dangerous drugs in duty-free packages. In recent years, duty-free package deliveries have increased significantly, in part due to Chinese platforms like Temu and Shein.
The UPU is working on technical solutions to resume postal traffic with the United States. They have developed an API that integrates into sales systems to calculate and collect customs duties, enabling continued shipment despite the new US customs rules. However, no specific solutions from the UPU have been disclosed yet.
The new customs rules have global implications, causing concerns for German companies and affecting postal services worldwide. DHL, a major international shipping company, has suspended goods shipping to the United States as a result of the new regulations.
The Universal Postal Union, a UN organization, has made a program available to service providers since Friday, which allows them to calculate and pay the necessary duties for shipping to the United States. This program aims to facilitate the continuation of international mail services despite the new regulations.
However, the situation remains uncertain, with the UPU continuing to work on finding lasting solutions to ensure the smooth flow of international mail between countries. The impact of these new customs regulations on global trade and postal services continues to be closely monitored.
