Overview:
International sellers are pulling back from sending materials to Americans due to the lack of clarity about the tariffs that President Trump enacted. All of this could display troubling events to unfold as trade and the global economy are impacted by these tariffs.
The Cause of the Debacle
On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed “The Big, Beautiful Bill Act” into law. The sweeping legislation revised the U.S. tax code, wages, student loan rules, and trade policies.
A major shift was the elimination of the de minimis exemption, which had allowed goods worth up to $800 to enter the U.S. duty-free since 2016. Under the new law, those goods are now subject to tariffs ranging from 10% to 50%, dramatically increasing costs for international sellers and American consumers.
As a result, postal services across Austria, India, Japan, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, Moldova, and Sweden have restricted or banned shipments to the United States.
Impact on Sellers and Consumers
The immediate effect has been widespread disruption. International sellers are uncertain about shipping policies and costs, leading many to suspend U.S. deliveries altogether.
NBC business correspondent Brian Cheung interviewed a stationery store owner about the changes:
“I would say about half of what we have is from other countries,” the shop owner explained. Asked whether prices would rise, she replied: “We are. And a lot of friends of mine who are in retail, we’ve all sort of said the same thing.”
Meanwhile, a Mexican family featured in The New York Times YouTube coverage shared their frustration:
“My loved ones were expecting some presents right now,” said homemaker Yunnueth Hernandez. “For November (Day of the Dead) and all that. Because I was told that, due to the tariffs and all that, shipments to the U.S. have been cancelled for us.”
Even postal officials are adapting. La Poste sales manager Marie-Louise Nawale confirmed:
“Right now, customers will no longer be able to send from the self-service machines, but only at the counter, because it is not certain that all customers are aware of this new decision.”
Potential Fallout
Experts warn the effects could cascade through the global economy. Fortune analysts note American consumers will see less purchasing power, while foreign buyers will pay more for international goods.
Economist Danielle Sponder Testa highlighted the risks to fashion and e-commerce brands:
“In the fashion space, what we are most concerned about is small businesses. They are the ones that have the hardest time reacting to it. USPS is captioning the cut, saying ‘you owe a duty, you owe an import fee on this good.’ That customer is unhappy that they didn’t know. So, it’s challenging for these individual retailers.”
High fashion retailers like Shein and Temu, as well as smaller sellers on Etsy, could face customer loss, reduced margins, and supply chain chaos.
A Legal Challenge
On August 29, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that most of Trump’s tariffs were illegal, stating he had exceeded his authority. However, the tariffs will remain in effect until the court revisits the case in mid-October.
Conclusion
The end of the de minimis exemption has already triggered widespread shipping bans, delayed packages, and higher costs for global trade. If the tariffs remain, both small businesses and major retailers may lose customers and revenue, with long-term effects on international commerce.
For now, consumers and businesses alike wait anxiously to see if the courts will overturn the policy—or if this marks the beginning of a new era of costly, tariff-driven trade.
Sources
- NBC News — Brian Cheung reporting
- The New York Times YouTube coverage (family interviews)
- Fortune — Analysis of global consumer impacts
- U.S. Supreme Court ruling, August 29, 2025
Editor’s Note
Presence News provides analysis and reporting. This article contains both factual reporting and expert commentary.
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