Taiwan's Postal Company Suspends Shipping to US Due to Expired Tariff Exemption

Strategic Insights -

Chunghwa Post, Taiwan's state-run postal company, has suspended some shipping forms to the US effective Tuesday, as Washington's tariff exemption expires on August 29. This decision comes after Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, and Australia temporarily halted postal services to the US due to a change in American tariff policy. As a result, nearly 340,000 packages valued at $800 or less were sent to the US from Taiwan in 2024, with the majority of these parcels being express mail service (EMS) packages, international parcel posts, e-Packets, international registered small packages, and international ordinary small packages.

Key Takeaways:

  • Chunghwa Post has stopped the shipment of small parcels to the US, including express mail service (EMS) packages, international parcel posts, e-Packets, international registered small packages, and international ordinary small packages, effective Tuesday.
  • The company will continue to provide EMS document services and accept letters, postcards, aerogrammes, printed materials, and newspapers for US delivery.
  • Nearly 340,000 packages valued at $800 or less were sent to the US from Taiwan in 2024.
  • The measure is due to the expiration of Washington's tariff exemption on August 29, which will result in a 15% tariff on all international shipments to the US.
  • The decision follows similar actions taken by several Asia-Pacific nations, including Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Singapore, and Australia.
  • The majority of parcels sent to the US from Taiwan are valued at $800 or less, making them subject to the newly imposed tariff.

Statistics:

  • Nearly 340,000 packages valued at $800 or less were sent to the US from Taiwan in 2024.
  • The move affects express mail service (EMS) packages, international parcel posts, e-Packets, international registered small packages, and international ordinary small packages.
  • Starting August 29, all international shipments to the US will face a 15% tariff.

Sources:

  • Focus Taiwan (no date) - "Chunghwa Post stops US shipping as tariff exemption expires"