USPS to Resume Accepting Shipments from China After Brief Halt Due to Tariff Announcement

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has reversed its decision and will resume accepting shipments from China, less than a day after initially announcing a halt. Effective February 5, 2025, the Postal Service will continue to process all international inbound mail and packages from both China and Hong Kong Posts, according to their updated statement released on Wednesday morning.

Close Coordination with Customs and Border Protection

The USPS is working closely with Customs and Border Protection to implement an efficient collection mechanism for the newly imposed China tariffs, with the aim of minimizing disruptions to package delivery. The initial decision to suspend acceptance of packages from China and Hong Kong was made in response to the Trump administration's announcement of a 10% tariff on all goods coming from China. It's worth noting that letters and flats were not affected by the initial suspension.

Revisiting the Tariff Decision

While the Postal Service did not provide a detailed explanation for the brief suspension, it followed the discontinuation of a "de minimis" exemption for Chinese goods valued at less than $800, as part of the tariff announcement. A spokesperson from the Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed that China would take "necessary measures" to protect its companies and urged the U.S. to refrain from "politicizing economic and trade issues" and to stop "unreasonably suppressing Chinese companies."

This development comes amidst heightened tensions between the U.S. and China, as trade relations continue to be a contentious issue between the two nations. The resumption of shipments is a significant step in maintaining the flow of international mail and packages between the U.S. and China, despite the ongoing trade disputes.