World

Trump’s Small Package Tariffs Slash U.S. Mail Deliveries by 80%

By Jake Beardslee · September 6, 2025

The volume of international mail entering the United States collapsed by 80% on the first day President Donald Trump’s administration imposed new tariffs on small packages, according to Axios.

The sharp decline followed the August 29 decision to end the long-standing “de minimis” exemption, which had allowed packages valued under $800 to enter the country duty-free. Airlines and shipping companies were caught off guard, struggling to calculate duties on millions of parcels, causing deliveries to stall worldwide.

The Universal Postal Union (UPU), a United Nations agency, confirmed that 88 global postal operators suspended or restricted service to the U.S. in response. The agency has since rolled out a digital tool to help carriers calculate required tariffs more efficiently, aiming to restore the flow of goods.

The change directly impacts companies such as Shein and Temu, which had benefited from the exemption. Without it, both businesses and consumers are facing higher costs to bring goods into the U.S. The sudden halt has also cut off millions of legitimate shipments, affecting small businesses and hobbyists.

The policy may also undercut the administration’s projected $10 billion in annual tariff revenue. If packages are not arriving at all, those duties cannot be collected. The crackdown appears to be less about revenue and more about reshaping international commerce, though its ripple effects are already being felt in households and storefronts across the U.S.