The state -owned distribution company Correos this Friday the temporary suspension of packages to the United States and Puerto Rico as a result of changes in tariff policy promoted by the Trump administration. Thus, starting next Monday, August 25, Correos will stop admitting shipments containing goods for commercial value between $ 100 and 800 (from 85 to 684 euros) and that are destined for the world’s first economy.
As part of a new executive order, on August 29, the United States will eliminate the exception that frees packets that transport goods of a value of less than $ 800. Known as regime minimis In jargon, this tariff bull, created because in theory the collection of tariffs is more expensive of the money they enter, it is also applied to the European Union when the goods have a value of less than 150 euros.
“The details of the new regulations were published on August 15. Due to the low margin of time to adapt to these new demands, and in order to protect the interests of its customers, posts will temporarily suspend shipments to the United States and Puerto Rico until the adequate solution has been developed and implemented to meet the new standard, which affects aspects such as the collection of tariff cross -border involved in the new mechanism to follow, ”says Correos.
Through its statement, Correos stressed that the suspension of shipments has a transitory character, only until the company adapts to the new regulation. While this veto will already come into force on Monday, the decision contemplates exceptions. Specifically, sending letters and documents without commercial value, books, as well as gifts sent by individuals with a value equal to or less than $ 100, will not be affected and will continue to be admitted.
The Spanish movement is in line with that of other European parcel companies that are also cautiously suspending shipments to the United States and goes in line with those of the Association of European Postal Services (Posteurop). This Friday, the temporary suspension in the same terms as Correos.
Previously, the National Company of Pacelía de Austria, Österreichische Post, the public company Swedish Postnord, the Finnish Post Office, Posti, the Baltic Lietuvos Pastas or the omniva letona and the state Latvijas Pasts had already joined this restriction. The Belgian Bpost, also publicly owned, explained pointing in the same direction that the rest of the postal firms that “the change of regulation has a significant impact” and that adopts the suspension to “protect” its clients.
“This situation forces Correos, as well as all postal operators that manage shipments to the United States, to substantially modify their processes, as well as to increase shipping controls to be able to implement the new customs requirements, significantly impacting on the international postal logistics and electronic commerce flows,” the company warns.
The public company states that the evolution and potential consequences of the new US executive order is closely following. Although Correos and the rest of the parcel companies have been directly affected by the elimination of the minimis In the United States, they are not the main harmed. Chinese companies such as Temu or Shein have built their empire based on these tariff exceptions that caused the vast majority of their shipments not to face extra rates in customs.
What began as an exception because in principle it was not practical to ensure the collection of tariffs, it ended up becoming a strainer within the US tariff system. In fiscal year 2024, according to the US Customs and Protection Service (CBP), the total volume of shipments de minimis The United States reached 1,400 million packages in fiscal year 2024.
In the face of the next few days, Correos undertakes to seek a solution that allows to restore shipments “within the shortest possible period” and keep customers duly informed about the evolution and advances that occur on the necessary measures to adapt to the regulations.
