‘AMERICAN BLOUS RATE: International shipments for the US plummet 80% after the end of cheap package exemption

Delivery vehicles of the US Postal Service AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File International Postal Traffic to the United States has fallen more than 80% since Donald Trump government ended the so -called minimis exemption, which allowed low -value packets to be entry without customs charges. The data was released on Saturday (6) by the Universal Postal Union (UPU), the United Nations Agency (UN) that coordinates the postal system in 192 countries. What changed until the end of August, abroad purchases of up to $ 4,300 ($ 800) could enter the US without the need to go through customs or pay taxes. The measure was considered a way to facilitate international e -commerce, especially small packages. With the change, in force since August 29, all packages need to be evaluated, and aircraft carriers and logistics operators have been responsible for calculating, collecting and passing taxes on US Customs and Border Protection. Tariffs vary according to the country of origin and can reach 10% to 50% of the value of the goods. Donald Trump during a press release at the White House on September 5, 2025 Reuters/Brian Snyder immediate drop and suspensions according to UPU, data exchanges between national post office indicates that order volume fell 81% in just one day compared to the week before the rule. At least 88 postal operators from different countries have partially or fully suspended shipping to the US. The reason is the lack of technical mechanisms to collect and transfer the required taxes. Many airlines also reported that it could not take this responsibility. Trump associated exemption from drug trafficking with customs exemption for small packages in the US has existed in the US since 1938. The Trump government claims that the rule has become a “breach” exploited by foreign companies to avoid import tariffs and criminals to send drugs to the country. The measure resembles the so -called “blouses fee”, created in Brazil in 2023, when the government started to charge 60% import tax on international purchases of up to $ 50, before exempt. According to the White House, Americans will still be able to receive gifts of up to $ 540 ($ 100) sent by friends or family and bring from abroad up to $ 1,000 ($ 200) in personal memories without charging fees. International reaction before the measurement of the measure, the UPU sent a letter to the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, expressing concern about the impact on global trade and logistics. The entity states that countries have not received enough time or instructions to adapt their systems to the new requirement. The agency, headquartered in Bern, Switzerland, has classified the situation as “great operational disruption”, noting that the suspension of services can affect consumers, companies and even small personal remittances. *With information from the Associated Press (AP). Trump government appeals with the Supreme Court to maintain tariff

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