Washington, D.C. – The United States Postal Service (USPS) has temporarily suspended the acceptance of all inbound packages from China and Hong Kong, a move that is expected to disrupt e-commerce orders from major online retailers like Shein and Temu. The decision follows growing tensions between the U.S. and China over trade policies, tariffs, and regulatory concerns surrounding de minimis imports.
According to CNN, the suspension took effect immediately, with USPS citing “operational and security concerns” as reasons for halting shipments. The agency has not provided a timeline for when services may resume, leaving millions of American consumers uncertain about the status of their online orders.
Forbes reported that the halt is expected to severely impact companies like Shein and Temu, which rely on low-cost shipping models to deliver inexpensive goods directly from Chinese manufacturers to U.S. customers. The move could force these retailers to seek alternative shipping methods, potentially leading to higher costs and longer delivery times for American shoppers.
The suspension is linked to ongoing debates over the “de minimis” rule, which allows packages valued under $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free. The New York Times explained that the Biden administration has been under pressure to tighten regulations on de minimis imports, with critics arguing that companies like Shein and Temu exploit the rule to avoid tariffs while undercutting domestic retailers.
AP News noted that major U.S. retailers, including Amazon and Walmart, have lobbied against Chinese e-commerce platforms, claiming that the current trade system gives them an unfair competitive advantage by bypassing import taxes and regulatory scrutiny.
The Washington Post reported that USPS is currently working with federal agencies to reassess the shipping policies, but no formal resolution has been announced.
As consumers face uncertainty about their orders, experts warn that this suspension could be the first step toward stricter trade policies targeting low-cost imports from China.
