Mexico City, Aug 28 (IANS) – Mexico has temporarily halted postal and parcel shipments to the United States following Washington’s decision to impose taxes on all incoming packages, regardless of their value.
The move comes after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month ending the long-standing de minimis exemption, which allowed goods valued under $800 to enter the US duty-free. The exemption is set to expire on Friday, Xinhua news agency reported.
Correos de Mexico, the national postal service, said the suspension took effect Wednesday while new operational procedures are worked out. Mexico joins other countries, including India, Germany, Australia, Canada, Japan, and New Zealand, that have taken similar measures in response.
Mexican authorities said they are in discussions with US officials and international postal bodies to establish mechanisms for an orderly resumption of deliveries and to minimise disruptions.
On Tuesday, the Universal Postal Union (UPU), a UN agency representing 192 member nations, announced that 25 countries have suspended postal shipments to the US due to uncertainty over the upcoming customs changes.
In a statement, the UPU said it is collaborating with US authorities to ensure details of the new operational requirements are communicated clearly. UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki also conveyed member states’ concerns in a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this week.
The UPU said it is taking all necessary measures to help member countries prepare for the impact of the new customs rules.
