Trump Tariff Kills 80% of International Mail to U.S.

Packages to the United States are being severely impacted by Trump’s tariffs.

International mail deliveries have seen a steep drop after the U.S. ended a long-standing rule that let small packages worth under $800 enter the country without paying import taxes. According to the Universal Postal Union, an agency under the United Nations, shipments into the country have plummeted by 80 percent since the policy shift at the end of August.

The change has left many postal operators scrambling, as new customs duties are now required before packages can move. Carriers are hesitant to handle these costs, and with no clear process in place, international mail flow to the U.S. has slowed to a crawl. Some countries have even suspended services until a workable solution is introduced.

To address the crisis, the UPU announced plans for a new system that would allow postal services around the world to calculate duties at the point of purchase. This tool, a landed-cost calculator linked to an online customs platform, is expected to give foreign postal operators the ability to charge customers upfront for tariffs. The organization believes this will eventually restore confidence in shipping to the U.S.

The sudden halt has affected retailers that rely on inexpensive cross-border shipping, including global platforms known for low-cost goods. Many have already begun raising prices or changing their distribution models to adapt to the new rules.

While the UPU is optimistic that its solution will get mail moving again, the adjustment period highlights how one policy shift can disrupt international trade and everyday deliveries on a massive scale.