Parcel shipments to the US suspended: everything you need to know

Poste Italiane has suspended shipments of goods to the United States starting today due to the introduction of new customs tariffs . "In the absence of different instructions from the U.S. authorities and/or exceptions to the above-mentioned deadlines, Poste Italiane will be forced, like other European postal operators, to temporarily suspend acceptance of all shipments containing goods destined for the United States, starting August 23," the company warned in recent days. However, it specified that "mail shipments containing no goods will continue to be accepted, as well as those sent by Poste Italiane to the United States via the 'Poste Delivery International Express' service, which is managed through a different logistics process."

The White House's ban on exemptions

As Sara Armella and Tatiana Salvi of Arcom Formazione have reconstructed, with an executive order dated July 30, the White House suspended the so-called "de minimis" exemption for exports to the US, which allowed duty-free entry for shipments valued at less than $800 . Effective August 29, essentially, all goods destined for the United States are subject to customs duties, regardless of their value. "This is a truly significant change for export companies handling low-value shipments to the US," the experts noted. Without the exemption, all goods are subject to duties, taxes, and customs charges, regardless of the declared value and shipping method . From the White House's perspective, this aggressive move would serve to counter potential tariff-evading practices, such as splitting shipments.

US Customs Delay and Post Office Caution

These regulations have forced the Post Office to take precautionary measures to protect its business and private customers.

Indeed, Poste Italiane reminded us, "starting August 29th, goods shipped to the US will be subject to customs duties before arriving in the United States. To allow its customers, both businesses and individuals, to continue shipping goods to the United States in compliance with the new American customs regulations, Poste Italiane immediately took action to find suitable solutions. However, the specifications and technical procedures were only published by US Customs on August 15th ," Poste concluded.