Hongkong Post announced on Wednesday the suspension of shipping services to the United States, citing “bullying” tariff increases implemented by US President Donald Trump.
The postal authority confirmed it would “definitely not collect any… tariffs on behalf of the US and will suspend the acceptance of postal items containing goods destined to the US”.
The service changes include an immediate halt to surface mail for US-bound items, whilst air mail services will cease from April 27.
The decision follows Trump’s recent directive eliminating duty-free allowances for small parcels from China, a policy that allegedly benefited Chinese online retailers like Shein and Temu. Previously, the “de minimis” rule permitted goods valued up to $800 to enter the US without duties or specific taxes.
The trade tensions between Washington and Beijing have escalated significantly. US tariffs on Chinese goods have reached 245 percent, with China responding by imposing 125 percent duties on US imports.
Despite being a free port with independent trade policies, Hong Kong has taken this stance against US measures. Hongkong Post stated on Wednesday, “The US is unreasonable, bullying and imposing tariffs abusively”.
The postal service advised Hong Kong residents to expect “exorbitant and unreasonable fees” for US-bound shipments. From April 22, they will contact senders of unshipped surface mail parcels to arrange returns and postage refunds.
“For sending items to the US, the public in Hong Kong should be prepared to pay exorbitant and unreasonable fees due to the US’s unreasonable and bullying acts,” the service wrote.
The authority clarified that these changes would not affect postal items containing only documents.