In a move that highlights growing tensions in international trade, Mexico announced on August 27, 2025, that its national postal service, Correos de México, would temporarily stop all package shipments to the United States. This decision comes just days before the Trump administration ends a long-standing exemption on tariffs for low-value imports, creating widespread uncertainty for senders and receivers alike. The suspension affects everything from personal letters to small commercial packages, and it mirrors similar actions taken by postal services in the European Union, Australia, Japan, and other countries as they seek clearer guidelines from the U.S.
The policy at the center of this confusion is known as the “de minimis” exemption. This rule has allowed packages valued at less than $800 to enter the United States without paying import duties, making it easier and cheaper for people and businesses to ship goods across borders. According to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a staggering 1.36 billion packages were sent under this exemption in 2024 alone, totaling $64.6 billion in value. These shipments range from everyday items like clothing and electronics to personal mementos, supporting a massive flow of global e-commerce. However, the Trump administration’s decision to eliminate this exemption, effective Friday, August 29, 2025, aims to protect domestic industries from what officials see as unfair competition from cheap foreign imports. While the goal may be to boost American manufacturing, the abrupt change has left international postal systems scrambling to adapt.
Mexico’s government made the announcement in a formal statement, emphasizing its commitment to resolving the issue quickly. “Mexico continues its dialogue with U.S. authorities and international postal organizations to define mechanisms that will allow for the orderly resumption of services, providing certainty to users and avoiding setbacks in the delivery of goods,” the statement read. This reflects Mexico’s efforts to maintain smooth relations with its northern neighbor, especially amid broader trade negotiations that have been ongoing for months. These talks are aimed at preventing even wider tariffs that could harm both economies, which are deeply interconnected through agreements like the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement).
The suspension has already had a human impact, as seen in scenes from Mexico City’s Main Post Office on the day of the announcement. People preparing packages were turned away, leading to frustration and disappointment. One such individual was Yunnueth Hernández, who brought her two children to the post office to send a simple letter to a relative in the U.S. She wanted to teach them about traditional communication methods before the era of emails and the internet. But her plans were thwarted. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t send it because they told us with the tariffs, shipments to the U.S. were canceled,” Hernández said. Nearby, another woman was visibly upset, crying outside the building after learning she couldn’t mail a 10-page letter and photographs to her boyfriend in the United States. These personal stories illustrate how policy changes in Washington can ripple out to affect ordinary people thousands of miles away, disrupting family connections and small acts of kindness.
This postal halt is not happening in isolation. It is tied to larger diplomatic efforts between Mexico and the U.S. to address issues like border security and drug trafficking. In recent months, Mexico has ramped up its actions against powerful drug cartels, including extraditing 26 high-profile cartel leaders to the U.S. for prosecution. Mexican officials have clarified that these extraditions were specifically requested by President Donald Trump and are not directly linked to the tariff negotiations. Still, they form part of Mexico’s strategy to demonstrate good faith and avoid escalating trade penalties. Related developments include Trump’s recent executive order imposing new tariffs on various U.S. trading partners, which has sparked debates about their economic effects. Articles outlining “what to know about Trump’s newest and most sweeping tariffs” highlight how these measures could increase costs for consumers and strain global supply chains.
Internationally, Mexico is not alone in its response. Postal services from the European Union and countries like Australia and Japan have also paused shipments to the U.S., citing the need for more details on how the new duties will be applied. This collective pause underscores the interconnected nature of modern trade, where a policy shift in one country can cause a chain reaction worldwide. Businesses that rely on cross-border shipping, such as small online sellers, may face delays and higher costs, potentially leading to lost revenue. For consumers, it could mean longer wait times for affordable goods from abroad.
As of August 28, 2025, negotiations continue, with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration actively involved in discussions at the National Palace. While the immediate focus is on clarifying the tariff rules to restart postal services, the broader implications touch on themes of economic fairness, national security, and international cooperation. Until a resolution is reached, individuals and companies on both sides of the border will have to find alternatives, such as private couriers, which often come at a higher price. In the end, this episode serves as a reminder of how fragile global trade can be, and how quickly policy decisions can alter everyday life.