WASHINGTON — The U.S. Postal Service announced Tuesday that it has suspended the acceptance of international parcels from China and Hong Kong until further notice.

The suspension could significantly impact e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu, which have relied on an exemption to offer low-cost goods to American consumers.

The decision does not affect the mailing of letters. The Postal Service provided no specific reason for the suspension but confirmed the halt in a statement.

This move follows President Donald Trump’s recent executive order, which ended the “de minimis” exemption. This rule previously allowed shipments valued at less than $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free and without inspection.

New tariffs introduced by Trump, effective Tuesday, impose a 10% duty on Chinese imports, further complicating trade relations. In response, Beijing has announced retaliatory measures, including a 15% tax on certain American imports and export controls on various metals and technologies.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has the authority to inspect all incoming international packages, though not every item is typically examined. The cessation of the de minimis exemption could lead to delays as inspection processes might become more rigorous.

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