How postal service suspensions affect international shipping to the US

As one of Vietnam’s largest trading partners, the United States is a key destination for Vietnamese manufacturing and trade. In 2024, Vietnam exports to the US accounted for 28% of the country’s total exports¹.

While the US has been a key destination for Vietnamese enterprises to tap into overseas markets and grow their business, tariffs and the closure of De Minimis exemptions² introduced by recent policy changes have greatly affected international shipping to the US.

As a result of these changes, there has been a mass suspension of national postal delivery services to the US by numerous countries worldwide, including Vietnam’s national postal service. In contrast, express logistics providers like DHL Express continue to operate and offer reliable alternatives for businesses looking for solutions to their international shipping challenges. 

In this guide, we’ll cover how Vietnamese businesses committed to maintaining and growing their US market share can implement an alternative export strategy to ensure their goods still reach American customers efficiently. 

Why are postal delivery services no longer shipping to the US?

The root cause of this international shipping disruption stems from the United State’s decision to remove the De Minimis exemption for commercial goods. 

The De Minimis rule allows goods valued at up to US$800 to enter the United States duty and tax-free in order to simplify customs checks, reducing shipping costs and accelerating delivery times. Without the De Minimis rule in place, all shipments must now undergo a rigorous and time-consuming customs clearance process. 

As a result, most postal delivery services have suspended shipping to the US as they are not equipped to handle the operational changes required. 

Which country’s postal services are no longer shipping to the US?

The resulting uncertainty over how duties and taxes will be calculated and collected has led to a major operational hurdle for national postal delivery services worldwide. In response, the national postal services of numerous countries have announced the temporary suspension of most parcel shipments of goods valued under US$800 to the U.S. Some of these countries include³:

• Australia
• Austria
• Belgium
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• France
• Germany
• India
• Italy
• Japan
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Russia
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Spain
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• United Kingdom

While Vietnam's national postal service has not announced a suspension of services, businesses should anticipate slower postal delivery services due to new US trade regulations and tariffs. It is crucial for Vietnamese businesses exporting to the US to be prepared in the event a suspension takes place.

How can Vietnamese businesses can adapt to the new US shipping rules

For Vietnamese SMEs, the suspension of global US postal services should not signal an end to exports to the US market. Instead, it highlights a crucial weakness in relying solely on national mail carriers for high-stakes international shipping to the US.

Optimize compliance and pricing for transparency

The end of the de minimis rule means that perfect documentation is now mandatory for every package. To minimise delays, Vietnamese exporters must immediately update their internal processes.

• Accurate classification: Accurately classify every product with the correct Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes. 
• Recalculate landed costs: Meticulously calculate the full “landed cost”, including all new duties, taxes, and handling fees, before the sale to maintain healthy margins.
• Use DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): DDP is an international shipping incoterm where the seller assumes maximum responsibility for the shipment, including paying all import duties, taxes, and customs clearance fees. By covering all charges upfront, businesses provide customers with total price transparency and certainty, directly offsetting the fear of unexpected fees and unpredictable customs clearance.

Diversify markets and localise your supply chain

Vietnamese exporters can improve their resilience by reducing market dependency and strengthening their product's origin.

• Leverage FTAs: Vietnamese SMEs should actively leverage the country’s strong network of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to enjoy preferential tariff rates and expand exports to new, stable regions like the EU or CPTPP countries.
• Invest in Localization: Source more raw materials and components domestically. This reduces reliance on third-country inputs, strengthens Vietnamese product origin claims, and shields exports to the US from tariffs targeting transshipped goods.

Swap to an international express courier

In a time when relying on national postal delivery services can be unreliable, switching to a commercial express carrier is a logical step for maintaining reliable shipping to the US.

DHL Express stands is a reliable and secure solution for maintaining uninterrupted exports to the US from Vietnam. Vietnamese businesses gain three critical advantages by partnering with DHL:

• Full end-to-end logistics: DHL Express operates a fully integrated, private global network of aircraft, vehicles, and hubs. While other postal delivery services may rely on partnerships with US postal services for the last-mile delivery, DHL Express maintains complete control over the entire shipment journey. 

• Customs expertise and guidance: The elimination of the De Minimis exemption has made accurate documentation non-negotiable. One of DHL Express’ most valuable assets is its deep knowledge in international customs regulations. Our comprehensive systems ensure the updated and accurate calculation of duties and taxes, simplifying customs clearance paperwork and ensuring compliance with US regulations. 
• End-to-end visibility: In a period marked by trade uncertainty, DHL Express’ advanced tracking tools provide real-time, end-to-end visibility for every shipment. Businesses and their American customers can monitor the precise location and status of their orders at all times, building trust and confidence

Maintain reliable international shipping to the US with DHL Express shipping

The suspension of the De Minimis exemption and suspension of postal delivery services to the US has marked the end of a simplified, duty-free era for low-value goods. While it is unclear if the policy change is permanent, forward-thinking Vietnamese businesses can view this as an opportunity to upgrade their entire logistics strategy.

A strategic pivot from postal delivery services to a commercial express carrier is the fastest way to ensure continued market access and competitive advantage. By leveraging DHL Express’ extensive network and customs expertise, businesses can ensure their international shipping to the US remains fast, compliant, and reliable.

Partner with international shipping experts who can ensure your exports will reach your customers in the US. Sign up for a DHL Express business account today.