Trump's Tariff Changes Prompt Europe to Halt Package Deliveries to the U.S.

President Donald Trump's recent decision to revoke the customs exemption for low-value packages has prompted an immediate reaction: several European countries and India have started halting postal shipments of goods to the United States. They cite lack of clarity, improvisation, and the absence of technical mechanisms to implement the new regulations. Previously, packages valued under $800 were duty-free. However, as of August 29, all shipments over $100 will incur a 15% tax, in line with the recently reached trade agreement between Washington and the European Union.

The White House has justified this move as a tool against illegal practices such as drug smuggling, but it has caused significant logistical chaos, primarily affecting consumers and small businesses rather than major operators. Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Italy were the first to announce an immediate suspension of shipments. France and Austria will follow on Monday, with the United Kingdom and Spain joining on Tuesday. Belgium already halted its dispatches last Friday, and while the Netherlands maintains some services, they have warned of potential non-compliance.

Logistical Chaos and European Response

PostEurop, representing 51 postal operators across Europe, warned that without a resolution in the coming days, the suspension could spread across the entire continent. European postal companies have pointed out that Washington did not provide enough time to adapt their systems to the new procedures. DHL, the continent's largest logistics provider, has highlighted unresolved issues, including who will collect the tariffs, what information needs to be sent to U.S. customs, and what platforms will be used for data exchange.

France's La Poste criticized U.S. authorities for not delivering the necessary technical specifications on time. In Italy, Poste Italiane stated that detailed rules were only published on August 15, just two weeks before they were to take effect. "With no alternative instructions, we have no choice but to temporarily suspend shipments," the company declared. In Sweden and Denmark, PostNord remarked that the pause was "unfortunate but unavoidable" to prevent non-compliance and penalties. Spain's Correos justified its decision as necessary to "protect customers from delays and delivery issues."

Global Repercussions of U.S. Tariff Policy

The situation isn't limited to Europe. India also announced that starting Monday, it will suspend all postal shipments to the U.S., except for letters, documents, and gifts up to $100. Airlines carrying international correspondence have already refused to accept packages after August 25, citing a lack of operational and technical readiness.

Despite Trump's official stance presenting tariffs as a measure to "protect" the U.S. economy, the reality is that small and medium-sized businesses exporting low-value products, as well as millions of consumers depending on transatlantic e-commerce, will be the primary victims. The impact will be felt on both sides of the Atlantic: Europeans will lose access to the U.S. market, while Americans will face fewer choices, higher prices, and delays in their purchases.

In the UK, Royal Mail attempted to delay the suspension to ensure the last shipments arrived before August 29. However, even there, it is noted that items over $100 will be subject to a 10% tariff. In the Netherlands, a PostNL spokesperson was even more direct: "The Trump administration is imposing these rules without even having a system in place to collect the tariffs."

This legislative change dismantles decades of international postal cooperation under the principle of accessibility. In practice, this improvisation creates legal and logistical uncertainty, endangers small exporters, and leaves citizens as the main casualties. As PostEurop emphasized, if the White House does not provide a clear solution in the coming days, international postal mail to the U.S. could be virtually paralyzed.