Hong Kong Suspends Parcel Shipments to U.S. in Retaliation for Trump Tariffs

HONG KONG — In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing U.S.-China trade war, Hongkong Post announced on Wednesday the immediate suspension of all postal services for goods destined for the United States, effective April 16, 2025. The move comes in direct response to a new wave of tariff hikes imposed by President Donald J. Trump, which target small parcels and eliminate longstanding duty-free exemptions for low-value shipments.

Immediate Halt to Goods Shipments, Refunds for Unshipped Parcels

Effective immediately, Hongkong Post will no longer accept surface mail parcels containing goods bound for the U.S. Airmail shipments of goods will be halted starting April 27. Only postal items containing documents will be exempt from the suspension and continue to be processed as usual. For parcels that have already been posted but not yet shipped, Hongkong Post will contact senders to arrange returns and refunds beginning April 22.

A Defiant Response to U.S. Tariff Policy

In a strongly worded statement, Hongkong Post accused the U.S. of “unreasonable, bullying and abusive” tariff practices. The agency specifically cited the U.S. government’s decision to eliminate the “de minimis” exemption, which previously allowed goods valued at $800 or less to enter the U.S. duty-free. Under the new rules, a $100 tariff will be imposed on each parcel from May 2, rising to $200 in June. Hongkong Post declared it would “definitely not collect any so-called tariffs on behalf of the U.S.” and would instead suspend the acceptance of all goods shipments to the country.

Trade War Fallout: E-Commerce and Consumers in the Crosshairs

The suspension is expected to disrupt cross-border e-commerce, particularly for Chinese-founded online retailers like Shein and Temu, which have relied on cheap, direct shipping to U.S. consumers. The end of the de minimis exemption and the imposition of steep tariffs threaten to raise costs for both sellers and American buyers, potentially leading to higher prices and longer delivery times.

Hong Kong, a global logistics hub and free port, has historically maintained its own trade policies separate from mainland China. However, the city’s postal service now finds itself drawn into the intensifying trade conflict, as Washington and Beijing exchange ever-higher tariffs—U.S. duties on Chinese goods have soared to 145%, with China retaliating at 125%.

Public Reaction and Next Steps

Hongkong Post advised the public to “be prepared to pay exorbitant and unreasonable fees” if sending goods to the U.S. under the new regime. The agency’s hotline has been set up to handle inquiries, and officials emphasized that document-only mail remains unaffected.

The suspension underscores the far-reaching impact of the trade war, with ordinary businesses and consumers caught in the crossfire. As both sides dig in, the future of cross-border commerce between Hong Kong and the U.S. remains uncertain, with ripple effects likely to be felt across global supply chains.