The Universal Postal Union (UPU) has reported a drop of more than 80% in postal traffic to the US, following the formal end of the de minimis exemption at the end of August by the Trump administration.
The UPU has also reported that many of its members have suspended some or all postal services to the US, until a suitable solution is reached. The UPU is actively working on a solution, in the form of a landed-cost calculator available to operators.
The end of de minimis is already set to have an impact on businesses. However, the UPU is committed to encouraging operators to continue postal services in the US.
Postal Traffic Plunges Following End of De Minimis Rule
Postal traffic to the US has fallen by more than 80%, according to the Universal Postal Union (UPU). In a statement made September 6th, the UPU reported that information exchanged among postal operators through its network showed traffic had fallen 81%, compared with a week earlier.
This comes after the Trump administration ended the de minimis exemption for small packages on August 29th.
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The UPU boasts a membership of 192 countries, nearly all the countries in the world, and said it had sent a letter to the US secretary of state Marco Rubio in order to express concerns about the impact of ending de minimis. The Trump administration has described the rule as a loophole for foreign businesses to evade tariffs and a way for criminals to get drugs into the US.
Postal Operators Seeking Solutions Before Continuing US Service
On top of the drop in postal traffic, the UPU also reported that 88 postal operators have suspended some or all postal services to the US, until a solution is found for the delivery of parcels valued at $800 or less. This was previously the cutoff for imported goods to escape customs charges.
“The global network saw postal traffic to the US come to a near-halt after the implementation of the new rules on August 29th 2025, which for the first time placed the burden of customs duty collection and remittance on transportation carriers or US Customs and Border Protection agency-approved qualified parties.” – Universal Postal Union, in a statement
Furthermore, the UPU said they have seen “major operational disruptions,” and stated that their members had not been given enough time or guidance to comply with the procedures, outlined in Donald Trump’s July 30th executive order.
De minimis has existed since 1938. Now, purchases that previously entered the US without needing to clear customs are subject to vetting and their origin country’s tariff rate, ranging from 10% to 50%.
Universal Postal Union Deploys Potential Solution Post-De Minimis
Despite the drop, the UPU is exploring potential solutions for postal operators to resume delivery services in the US. This consists of equipping operators with a landed-cost calculator via an API that can be plugged into retail and counter solutions, so they’ll be able to calculate and collect the required duties from customers immediately before sending packages to the US.
“The UPU has in its mission the responsibility to guarantee the free circulation of postal items over a single postal territory.” – Masahiko Metoki, UPU Director, in a statement.
As a result of the ending of de minimis, ecommerce sellers have already started to hike up the prices of their products in order to comply with new rules. Consumers could also face delays in orders further down the line. With the new regulations now fully in effect, we’ll have to watch out for the longer-term consequences.
