The United States Postal Service (USPS) announced a temporary suspension of inbound parcels from China and Hong Kong.

This decision aligns with a new U.S. policy imposing a 10% tariff on Chinese goods and eliminating the de minimis exemption, which previously allowed packages valued under $800 to enter the country duty-free.

This suspension significantly affects Chinese e-commerce giants like Shein and Temu, which have relied on affordable shipping to offer low-cost products to U.S. consumers.

Shein, in particular, may face increased costs due to its dependence on USPS for direct shipping. Temu might manage better by continuing its semi-consignment model of bulk shipments followed by domestic fulfillment.

For U.S. consumers, this development could lead to shipping delays and higher prices for products sourced from China and Hong Kong.

Companies may need to adjust by using private carriers or modifying their logistics strategies to mitigate the impact.

According to Reuters, It’s important to note that this suspension applies specifically to parcels and does not affect letters and flats—mail that can be up to 15 inches long or 3/4 inches thick.

Private couriers like UPS and FedEx have not yet implemented similar restrictions but may face operational adjustments due to the new tariffs and policy changes.

This action is part of ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China. In response to the U.S. tariffs, China has implemented its own tariffs on U.S. goods and imposed restrictions on rare mineral exports, with ongoing and potential regulatory actions against major U.S. tech companies.