New Zealand Post has stopped most parcel deliveries to the United States due to confusion over President Donald Trump’s new tariffs. The move follows similar actions by India and several European countries, as Washington ends tax exemptions on small packages.
New Zealand’s postal service said it suspended deliveries to the US starting August 21. The decision comes ahead of a 15 per cent tariff that will apply from August 29. Only certain items, such as letters, passports, and legal documents, will continue to reach the US.
The confusion centres on how the US will apply new customs rules. Postal operators say they cannot guarantee shipping costs or delivery rates under the new system.
Other Countries Also Stop Services
The suspension by New Zealand Post is not an isolated case. Postal services in India, Germany, France, Belgium, Austria, and Denmark have also stopped sending parcels to the US. All these countries are reacting to Washington’s decision to withdraw tax exemptions on packages.
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Until now, small packages sent to the US enjoyed duty-free entry if they were valued under $800. But this rule will end on August 29.
New Tariffs Causing Global Disruptions
Although the Trump administration started imposing tariffs in April, many of them are only coming into effect this month after months of negotiations and delays. Postal services around the world are holding back until there is clear guidance from Washington.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told Radio New Zealand that postal agencies are struggling to find clarity. He said, “They can’t guarantee the costs or rates, so postal services are holding back until there’s clarity.”
India Also Halts Postal Shipments
India joined the list of countries suspending shipments to the US. On August 25, the Department of Posts announced that all postal services to America will stop. India said the move is directly linked to the July 30 executive order signed by Trump that removed duty-free exemptions.
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Officials in India said the decision was unavoidable because new US customs rules create too much uncertainty for international shipping.
When Will Services Resume?
New Zealand Post said it is working to adjust its systems and hopes to restart deliveries as soon as possible. However, no timeline has been given. Businesses and individuals that depend on reasonably priced postal services to ship goods to the US are already feeling the effects.
