In a surprising U-turn, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) announced on Wednesday that it will continue accepting all international inbound mail and packages from the Chinese mainland and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). 📦✉️
Earlier on Tuesday, USPS had temporarily suspended inbound parcels from these regions, but clarified that letters and flats would remain unaffected. The swift reversal has left many retailers and shipping firms puzzled. 😕
The announcement comes amidst ongoing trade discussions. In response, the Chinese Foreign Ministry urged the U.S. to refrain from politicizing trade and economic issues, emphasizing the need to protect the rights of Chinese companies.
The HKSAR government also voiced strong disapproval of the temporary suspension and the imposition of an additional 10% duty on products from the region. A spokesperson from the HKSAR government called for urgent action to lift the suspension and rectify the Federal Register notice.
Retailers and Shippers React
The sudden change has added to the confusion among retailers and express shipping companies. USPS did not specify if the suspension was related to President Donald Trump's order ending de minimis shipments from China, which took effect on Tuesday.
Experts highlight the challenges faced by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in collecting new tariffs efficiently. Kate Muth, executive director of the International Mailers Advisory Group, expressed concerns over the lack of preparation time for businesses to adjust to these changes.
Major international shippers like FedEx have already begun adjusting their policies, with FedEx suspending its money-back guarantee on overseas shipments. The industry is calling for clearer government direction to navigate these abrupt changes. 🌍💬
