Impact of new US customs duties: SA Post Office halts parcel shipments

As the world continues to grapple with shifting global trade regulations, the SA Post Office (SAPO) has announced the immediate suspension of all outbound parcel deliveries to the US.

This comes after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month removing the longstanding $800 duty-free threshold for international parcels.

According to the new policy, foreign postal operators are required to collect and remit US customs duties before shipping goods into the country.

Media reports also indicate that not only is South Africa affected, but also national postal services in France, Spain, Germany, and the UK have all said they would temporarily suspend their shipment services to the US to prepare for the new measures.

In a statement issued to the media, the Post Office said it has temporarily suspended all parcel services to the US due to new US regulations.

"Given the complex processes required to comply with the new regulation, we have no choice but to temporarily suspend these shipments. We regret any inconvenience this may cause to our customers,” joint business rescue practitioner, Anoosh Rooplal, said.

However, the Post Office added that this suspension applies only to parcels containing goods destined for the US.

Letters, documents, and exempt mail categories such as military mail will continue to be processed and delivered as usual.

Parcels already received at SAPO’s Germiston International Mail Centre that cannot be cleared under the new customs requirements will be returned to their senders.

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Cape Argus