USPS stops all incoming packages from China and Hong Kong – here is why it can affect Temu and Shein orders

On By Littum

Topline

The US Postal Service announced the suspension of all incoming packages from China and Hong Kong posts on Tuesday night -a likely fall of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs on all Chinese imports, -Commerce platforms such as Shein, Temu and Amazon Haul.

Key facts

In one Note on its websiteThe United States Postal Service described the suspension as temporary without specifying another timeline than “so far.”

The post office said this suspension only affects international packages from China and Hong Kong positions, but “the flow of letters and apartments from China and Hong Kong will not be affected.”

The move comes after the trump administration’s sweeping 10% tariff rates on all Chinese goods came into force after midnight on Tuesday -which also closed the “De Minimis” exemption that allowed packages appreciated under $ 800, treated without to pay any duty or duty.

Although the USPS did not specify a reason for the move, it was probably introduced to allow the postal service to provide a procedure to process and charge tasks on the “De Minimis” packages sent by email. Mail.

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Will the suspension affect TEMU and Shein orders?

USPS ‘suspension is likely to cause a major disturbance in the operation of popular low cost e-commerce platforms such as Temu, Shein and Amazon Haul. All three services that offered products on “Crazy low prices” trust Both cheap shipments from China and Duties exceptions Offered under the “de minimis” rule. Forbes has reached the Temus parent PDD, Shein and Amazon for comment.

What do we know about ‘De Minimis’ shipments to the United States?

Last month, customs and border patrol reported that 1.36 billion “de minimis” shipments entered the US in the financial year 2024. This is an increase of almost ten times from 139 million of such shipments reported in the financial year 2015. Although CBP did not specify how much of the import was from China , The Agency’s release included a statement from the Biden White House’s national economic adviser Lael Brainard, who said, “We cannot let Chinese founded e-commerce platforms get an unreasonable trade advantage while US companies play on the rule.” ONE Examination ordered By the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party found that almost half of all the “minimis” shipments entering the United States come from China. Temu and Shein specifically accounted for 30% of all incoming “the minimis” packages.

Surprising fact

USPS describes “apartments” or large envelopes such as packages of dimensions up to 15 inch long, 3/4 inch thick and a maximum weight of 16 ounces. These “apartments” are exempt from the suspension, but it is unclear whether e-commerce companies will be able to use these packages to send merchandise.

Additional reading

Prices for groceries, cars and popular products from Shein and Temu could also spike in the middle of Trump’s Customs (Forbes)