In response to recent developments in the trade war between the United States and China, the USPS has implemented new regulations requiring inspection of incoming parcels from China and Hong Kong. This move comes after China imposed tariffs on US imports in retaliation to President Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods.

The USPS has announced that they will be rejecting international parcels from China and Hong Kong until further notice, although letters and flats will not be affected. This decision is expected to have a significant impact on ecommerce platforms that rely on sellers from these regions to list products shipped as small parcels, such as Temu, Shein, Wish, and AliExpress.

The new regulations eliminate the previous “de minimis” exemption, which allowed parcels valued under $800 to enter the US without customs duties or taxes. This change poses challenges for delivery firms like UPS, DHL, and FedEx, as they may also refuse packages from China and Hong Kong.

Furthermore, China’s retaliatory tariffs on US goods, including taxes on coal, gas, oil, and vehicles, indicate a potential trade war that could have far-reaching effects. Chinese officials have condemned the US tariffs as “unreasonable suppression” and vowed to defend the rights of Chinese companies against such measures.

Recent developments in the ongoing trade dispute highlight the growing tensions between the US and China, with implications for global trade and commerce.