The world is falling for cross-border sellers! The US Postal Service (USPS) has stopped accepting packages from China

On February 3, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) published a notice in the Federal Register, canceling the "small exemption" for Chinese goods below $800 in accordance with the new tariffs scheduled to be implemented by Trump on February 4, and mail packages from China must go through formal customs entry procedures.

As a result, goods with a value of less than $800 will not be able to obtain so-called “de minimis” clearance and enter duty-free as of February 4, 2025. Applications for de minimis entry and customs clearance for non-compliant shipments will be rejected.

The impact of this incident on cross-border sellers

• Logistics delays and increased costs: The U.S. Postal Service's suspension of Chinese parcels may cause serious delays in mailing items from China to the United States and push up transportation costs. For cross-border sellers who rely on U.S. postal services, parcel transportation time will be extended, customer satisfaction may decline, and rising logistics costs will squeeze profit margins.

• Sales and market share decline: The development of Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Temu and Shein in the US market may be affected. As packages cannot be delivered normally through the US postal channel, some consumers may turn to other platforms for shopping, resulting in a decline in the market share of Chinese e-commerce sellers in the US.

• Increased operational pressure: Sellers need to re-evaluate logistics, pricing strategies, and compliance measures to cope with new customs inspection procedures and policy changes. In addition, due to the suspension of the US Postal Service, sellers may need to find alternative logistics solutions, which will increase operational complexity and uncertainty.

Coping strategies

• Optimize logistics channels: Look for other reliable logistics partners, such as UPS, FedEx, DHL and other private logistics companies. These logistics companies have a wider network and more flexible services, and can better deal with the situation where the US Postal Service stops accepting packages.

• Adjust product strategy: Increase product added value and reduce reliance on low-priced goods. By providing higher quality and more distinctive products, consumers are attracted to pay higher prices, thereby reducing the impact of rising logistics costs on profits.

• Strengthen compliance management: Pay close attention to the policy changes of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure that all packages comply with the latest customs requirements. Provide accurate cargo information and compliance certificates in a timely manner to avoid packages being detained or delayed due to violations.

• Expand market channels: Reduce over-reliance on the US market and actively explore markets in other countries and regions. Diversify market layout, spread risks, and reduce the impact of changes in single market policies.