Austrian Post to Suspend Standard Parcel Deliveries to the United States

Austrian Post will suspend standard parcel deliveries to the US due to Washington scrapping the $800 “de minimis” exemption, joining other European postal services in warning of rising trade barriers.

Austrian Post has announced it will suspend standard parcel deliveries to the United States from next week, citing new trade restrictions introduced by Washington.

The move comes in response to the U.S. government’s decision to abolish the long-standing “de minimis” exemption, which previously allowed packages valued under $800 to enter the country without incurring customs duties or taxes. The exemption, widely used by international retailers and consumers alike, had been considered a key facilitator of affordable cross-border trade.

Austrian Post said uncertainty over customs clearance procedures, coupled with the increased financial and bureaucratic burden created by the policy change, had left it with little choice but to halt its regular services. Only gifts valued under $100 and premium express shipments will continue to be accepted for delivery to the U.S.

The decision follows similar suspensions by postal services in Belgium and across Scandinavia, raising concerns of a broader European backlash against the new U.S. trade rules. Analysts warn the measures could strain transatlantic trade at a time when global supply chains remain fragile following years of disruption.

Critics argue that Washington’s clampdown effectively erects trade barriers under the guise of protecting domestic industries, with European businesses and consumers bearing much of the cost. “This is another example of rising protectionism that risks escalating into wider trade tensions,” one European trade policy expert commented.

The suspension is likely to have significant repercussions for small businesses and individuals in Austria who rely on affordable parcel services to the United States. With premium express shipping often costing several times more than standard options, the affordability of cross-border e-commerce may come under threat.

Austrian Post has indicated that it will continue to monitor developments and explore options for resuming services should clarity emerge on customs clearance procedures. In the meantime, it has urged customers to prepare for potential delays and higher costs when sending items across the Atlantic.

As America raises its trade walls, Europe’s parcels risk becoming collateral damage in an intensifying customs crossfire — a signal of the wider challenges facing global trade in an era of mounting economic nationalism.