Swiss Post temporarily halts goods shipments to US amid sweeping customs changes

Swiss Post has announced a temporary suspension of all goods consignments to the United States starting August 26, citing sweeping new customs regulations introduced by the US government.

The decision affects all international postal operators and comes amid mounting uncertainty over how the updated rules will be implemented, Caliber.Az reports.

Under the new measures, the US will eliminate its longstanding $800 de minimis exemption, which previously allowed low-value goods to enter the country duty-free. As of August 29, every parcel sent to the US—regardless of its size or value—will require full customs declaration and pre-paid duties, significantly altering the international shipping landscape.

“These abrupt changes in US customs law leave critical questions unresolved, including issues of liability and procedural execution,” Swiss Post said in a statement. “Until these matters are clarified, we are unable to accept any further goods consignments to the United States.”

The suspension, however, does not apply to documents or express shipments. Letters, official papers, and items sent via URGENT Express International through FedEx Express Swiss Post GmbH will continue to be delivered as usual.

Swiss Post is in active dialogue with relevant Swiss authorities, including DETEC, OFCOM, and PostCom, to find a viable workaround. Among the measures under review is a plan to resume gift shipments between private individuals—up to a value of $100 (approx. CHF 80)—as quickly as possible.

The postal operator is also exploring alternative channels outside the traditional postal network to facilitate continued goods shipments to the US.

Swiss Post emphasized that the regulatory shift has global implications, as all international postal services are subject to the same new US import rules. The organization assured customers that it is working “intensively” to restore parcel services to the US as soon as a compliant and reliable solution is identified.

Customers are advised to seek express shipping options in the interim and monitor Swiss Post’s official channels for further updates.