Postal operators from more than 20 countries have suspended parcel shipments to the United States this week as they scramble to adjust to the new U.S. import rules that scrap duty-free treatment for small packages.
The moves follow an executive order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump last month, which sets to abolish the longstanding "de minimis" rule that allowed duty-free imports of low-value goods worth up to 800 U.S. dollars, beginning Aug 29.
The Universal Postal Union (UPU), a United Nations agency, said Tuesday that at least 25 member states have already halted parcel deliveries to the U.S., citing uncertainty over the new U.S. customs requirements and related transport services.
Russia's postal service announced it had stopped accepting goods bound for the United States as of Tuesday due to tariff issues, though regular letter mail remains unaffected.
Bulgaria Posts said in a statement on the same day that it would suspend all shipments to the United States immediately, pointing to changes in American import clearance procedures.
The agency noted that the United States has also tightened requirements for advance electronic customs declarations, which must now be transmitted directly to U.S. postal operators.
Meanwhile, South Korea's postal service said it had suspended Express Mail Service deliveries to the United States as of Tuesday.
Korean customers can still send parcels via United Parcel Service, but recipients in the U.S. will be responsible for paying customs duties.
In addition, postal agencies in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland and Denmark, along with those in Australia, India, Japan, Thailand and Singapore, have also announced in recent days that they will no longer accept packages bound for the United States.
Over 20 nations suspend parcel deliveries to US over new tariffs
Over 20 nations suspend parcel deliveries to US over new tariffs
Over 20 nations suspend parcel deliveries to US over new tariffs
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
