Mexico temporarily suspends package shipments to the U.S. due to tariffs.
Mexico has temporarily suspended shipments of packages to the United States in response to the elimination of the tax exemption.
Starting Wednesday, August 27, 2025, Correos de México, in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, temporarily suspended postal and parcel shipments to the United States.
This measure responds to the removal of the tax exemption for low-value packages (under USD 800), known as the “de minimis” rule.
The U.S. government announced the revocation of this exemption (through Executive Order 14324), which previously allowed such shipments to enter without paying tariffs. The measure took effect on Friday, August 29, 2025.
The Mexican Postal Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a joint statement indicating that this suspension will continue “until new operational processes are defined.”
Due to the lack of operational and customs clarity on how to apply the new tariffs, Mexico opted for a preventive suspension.
Correos de México joins other postal services from countries such as Germany, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, and several in the European Union, which have taken similar steps due to uncertainty following the elimination of the exemption.
In a joint communiqué, they assured that Mexico continues its dialogue with U.S. authorities, as well as with international postal organizations, in order to define mechanisms that will allow the services to resume in an orderly manner, providing certainty for users and avoiding delivery disruptions.
All packages sent to the U.S., regardless of their value, will now be subject to tariffs. Two possible schemes are under consideration:
- Variable tariff, between 10% and 50% depending on value and origin.
- Temporary fixed fee option, ranging between USD 80 and USD 200 per package.
Mexican authorities reported that they are working in coordination with U.S. authorities and international postal organizations to define mechanisms that will allow service to resume in an orderly way and provide certainty to users.
The measure covers postal and parcel shipments. Some sources suggest that small, low-value shipments (such as letters or gifts under USD 100) may be excluded, although this has not always been confirmed in Mexico.
Economic impact.
In 2024, approximately 1.36 billion “de minimis” shipments entered the U.S., with an estimated total value of USD 64.6 billion.
The elimination of this exemption represents a major challenge for e-commerce, individual users, and small and medium-sized Mexican businesses, since all shipments must now pay tariffs ranging from 10% to 50%, or even fixed fees between USD 80 and 200 per package.
On the other hand, there is growing concern among users who relied on this channel to send letters and small packages to family members; emotional cases of frustration have already been reported.
The suspension of shipments from Mexico to the United States demonstrates how political and economic decisions ultimately affect ordinary people directly—not large corporations, but rather small businesses and families who depend on receiving or sending a package.
While governments debate tariffs and trade agreements, it is the citizens who suffer and bear the consequences of such actions, since not everyone can afford such costs. Many are now seeking solutions that will not endanger their economy and livelihood.
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