A case before the Supreme Court challenges the U.S. Postal Service’s exemption from lawsuits regarding lost or mishandled mail, stemming from a Texas landlord’s claim of deliberate mail withholding. The Postal Service argues a ruling against them could trigger a flood of litigation, particularly impacting the already busy holiday season. The central question is whether the postal exemption to the Federal Tort Claims Act applies when postal employees intentionally fail to deliver mail, with the lower court previously disagreeing with the exemption. A decision in the case is expected to be issued next year.
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Starting August 23, postal services in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Belgium will temporarily halt parcel shipments to the US due to the upcoming suspension of the “de minimis” customs exemption. This exemption previously allowed low-value packages to enter the US duty-free, but the change means shipments will now face tariffs, which these postal operators are not yet equipped to handle. Consequently, this decision will affect packages beyond letters, potentially forcing sellers to cancel orders or seek alternative shipping methods. The temporary halt is a result of not being able to handle the new customs declaration paperwork and payment methods required.
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Hong Kong’s postal service will cease handling US-bound and US-origin packages, a direct response to the US eliminating the $800 de minimis exemption for goods shipped from Hong Kong. This action, effective immediately for sea freight and April 27th for air freight, forces Hong Kong residents and businesses to utilize private couriers like FedEx and DHL, significantly increasing shipping costs. The Hong Kong government cited President Trump’s decision as unreasonable and abusive, highlighting the escalating trade tensions between the US and China. The move impacts packages only; documents remain unaffected.
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John Q. Hosedrinker