US shoppers are facing a wave of order cancellations as over 30 countries suspend shipments to the United States, according to NBC News. This disruption follows a major trade policy shift introduced under the Donald Trump administration.
End of ‘De Minimis’ Exemption Shakes Global Trade
The US government officially ended the ‘de minimis’ exemption on Friday—a rule that had existed for nearly a century. Previously, goods valued under $800 could enter the US duty-free, without tariffs.
With this exemption gone, many nations have announced they will halt postal services to the US.
30+ Countries Suspend US-Bound Shipments
Ahead of the rule change, more than 30 countries confirmed suspensions of packages bound for the US. These include:
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, and Mexico.
E-Commerce Platforms Issue Warnings
US-based platforms like Etsy and eBay have already warned users about potential shipping disruptions. Some companies are seeking workarounds. For example, Canada Post told CTV News it partnered with a third-party duty processor to maintain shipping flow, but added costs remain a concern.
“Customers are going to be very shocked,” said Alison Layfield, vice president of product development at ePost Global.
Shoppers Feel the Impact
Many customers are already facing problems. A New York-based graphic designer tried purchasing a rare Japanese music recording from Germany but was unable to complete the order.
“They just said they were nervous about following the law. It’s annoying but understandable. The way all this is being implemented — there’s so much uncertainty,” said Ben Jay, speaking to NBC News.
Why Are Shipments to the US Being Stopped?
Foreign postal services generally do not face issues delivering to the US, but they lack systems to process tariffs and pay US Customs and Border Protection.
The Trump administration now expects foreign carriers to act as import tax collectors—a task they may not be equipped or willing to perform.
What Officials Said
White House trade adviser Peter Navarro stated:
“President Trump’s ending of the deadly de minimis loophole will save thousands of American lives by restricting the flow of narcotics and other dangerous prohibited items, and add up to $10 billion a year in tariff revenues to our Treasury.”
Who Will Be Hit the Hardest?
Retail analysts warn that ending the de minimis rule will raise prices for goods sold through e-commerce platforms. Costs may now align with those faced by large retailers like Walmart, which import goods in bulk and already pay tariffs.
The move is also expected to impact peer-to-peer platforms like eBay and Etsy, reducing global trade for smaller businesses.
LoudFact has not independently verified these cancellations.
