US Postal Service suspends incoming packages from China and Hong Kong

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The US Post Service says it has suspended acceptance of incoming international packages from China and Hong Kong so far, threatens the business models for e-commerce giants Shein and Temu.

It did not give a reason for the suspension but said in A statement On Tuesday, the letter flow is not affected. The postal service provided no further information about the suspension when contacted by CNN.

The message comes a few days after US President Donald Trump signed a executive order that ended the exemption “de minimis”, a long -lasting rule that allowed someone, including exporters, to send packages worth less than $ 800 to the United States without tasks or need to review inspections.

It also follows the introduction of a wide -rated 10% -based duty on Chinese imports to the United States, which came into force on Tuesday.

CNN has reached other international delivery companies DHL and FedEx for comment.

The new rule is likely to affect e-commerce sites such as Shein and Temu, which have built their Gargantuan business models around this exemption. The relaxed restrictions and tax exemptions on cheap products have made it possible for more than a billion packs to pour into the US at low prices for consumers looking for offers for household clothing.

CNN has also reached Shein and Temu for Comment.

The termination will hit Chinese shipments hardest, as almost half of all packages sent during the minimis exemptions stems there, reported Reuters and referred to a June 2023 report from a US Convention Committee on the country.

Beijing has reciprocated against the new Trump Customs rates with a wide package of financial measures on Tuesday, including a 15% tax on certain types of coal and liquid natural gas, as well as a 10% duty on crude oil, agricultural machinery, large displacement cars and pickup trucks . The measures will take effect on February 10th.

It also introduced new export controls targeting two dozen metal products and related technologies, adding two US companies, Biotech Company Illumina and Fashion Retailer PVH Group, to its unreliable unit list.

Tuesday, Trump told him he was in “No Rush” talking to Chinese leader Xi Jinping to abuse growing merchant tensions, despite saying a day before the two leaders could talk over the next 24 hours .

Although it is unclear whether the minimis pension was related to the executive order, experts have told CNN that the delivery of international packages in the United States would be “slowed down” if each package is to be examined.

Currently, US Customs and Border Protection has authority to open and inspect all international packages, although in practice it does not open every item.

This story has been updated with further information and context.