On August 29, the U.S. ended the “de minimis exemption” that allowed packages under $800 to enter duty-free.
Almost immediately, postal traffic to the U.S. dropped by 80%, according to the Universal Postal Union.
Eighty-eight postal operators—including major players like Deutsche Post and Royal Mail—halted some or all mail destined for the U.S.
The sudden shift left carriers scrambling; most were unprepared to collect new duties or conform to compliance requirements.
When Cheap Turns Costly
This isn’t just bad news for shoppers—it's a wake-up call for global logistics. A policy change flipped the switch, and suddenly, small parcels aren’t so small anymore.
