UPDATE: The USPS has reversed this decision and parcel delivery has been resumed.
Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor Eric, who notes that if you live in the US and have incoming packages from China or Hong Kong, you may experience delays. Here’s the story from the BBC:
US Postal Service halts China parcels after Trump tariffs (BBC)
The US Postal Service (USPS) said it has stopped accepting parcels from mainland China and Hong Kong until further notice.
Letters will not be affected by the suspension, said the company, which declined to offer a reason for the decision.
However, on Tuesday new rules came into force which closed a loophole that allowed small packages worth $800 (£641) or less to be sent to the US without paying tax or fees.
It was one of the measures announced by US President Donald Trump who imposed an additional 10% tariff on all goods imported to the US from China. [Continue reading…]
Here’s the official note from the USPS:
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE SUSPENSION NOTICE – effective Feb. 4, 2025
Effective Feb. 4, the Postal Service will temporarily suspend only international package acceptance of inbound parcels from China and Hong Kong Posts until further notice. Note the flow of letters and flats from China and Hong Kong will not be impacted.
Wow… you have/had $800 tax free?
Here in Israel it’s just $75
Only very few items I ordered above our limit and they passed under the radar.
I got the news from Google this morning about USPS not accepting parcels from China and Hong Kong but later this morning news that the new policy is on hold for 30 days so hopefully my two Pixie QRP kits which just left the AliExpress vendor will get to me without delay.
Jim WB4ILP
I never order expensive items from China, so hopefully what I already have ordered will make it thru. I do need another battery for my emergency power station, so maybe I better get that ordered while they are still for sale in the US.
Thanks for the heads up.
It’s from the BBC – it’s unlikely to be accurate. Unfortunately, the BBC are not the authority they once were. They’re wildly politically biased (leftward) and hate anything to do with Trump. They are now a blight on British broadcasting, with abysmal standards, amateur presentation and poor technical standards.
40 years ago, I was proud to work for the BBC, but since (roughly) the turn of the century, they have gone rapidly downhill. Get your news elsewhere!
Here’s the official note from the USPS:
INTERNATIONAL SERVICE SUSPENSION NOTICE – effective Feb. 4, 2025
Effective Feb. 4, the Postal Service will temporarily suspend only international package acceptance of inbound parcels from China and Hong Kong Posts until further notice. Note the flow of letters and flats from China and Hong Kong will not be impacted.
Thomas –
That notice has been updated once again as of this morning:
“Effective February 5, 2025, the Postal Service will continue accepting all international inbound mail and packages from China and Hong Kong Posts. “
Thank you!
When a hypocrite tells the truth, is it still a lie? Lol. Could not resist. Notwithstanding any political back-and-forth here, it is interesting to know that the ban has been rescinded so I guess this notification sort of “crossed in the umm… er, mail.”