Spain joins other EU nations in halting dispatch of low-value parcels to USA

Spain’s national postal operator, Correos, has announced that it is temporarily suspending the dispatch of low-value parcels to the United States following the introduction of new customs rules under President Donald Trump.

The suspension takes effect on 25 August, covering all shipments of low commercial value to both the US and Puerto Rico.

Spain is not alone in taking this step. Similar restrictions have already been imposed by postal services in Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Italy, while France and Austria are also enforcing them from 25 August.

The change stems from Washington’s decision to end its previous customs framework and impose new tariffs. The new rules apply to goods valued at $800 (about €682) or below.

Private correspondence, documents and non-commercial items such as gifts or books worth under $100 (€85.50) will not be affected, meaning individuals can still send these as normal.

Correos said in a statement that the US authorities had scrapped the tariff exemption for such packages with little notice, informing European services only on 15 August and demanding compliance by 29 August. This left no option but to suspend shipments, the company said, in order ‘to protect the interests of customers’.

Correos stressed that the suspension will be temporary, allowing time to reconfigure logistics and reinforce customs checks. However, it warned that the move would have serious repercussions for cross-border e-commerce and the wider parcel delivery industry, echoing concerns already raised by carriers such as DHL.

From Thursday 29 August, all parcels bound for the US or Puerto Rico will face customs duties, the amount depending on the declared origin and value of the contents.

The UK, despite no longer being part of the EU, is also caught by the US change. Its postal service will stop sending low-value parcels to America from Tuesday 26 August, with packages above $100 now attracting a 10% duty.

In a statement, DHL said: ‘Key questions remain unresolved, particularly regarding how and by whom customs duties will be collected in the future, what additional data will be required, and how the data transmission to the US Customs and Border Protection will be carried out.’