**Hong Kong**: Hong Kong Post has suspended its sea and air mail services to the US for goods due to tariffs imposed by the US government, citing refusal to collect these additional charges. Document-only mail remains unaffected, reflecting escalating trade tensions between the regions.
Hong Kong Post has announced the suspension of its sea and air mail services to the United States, specifically affecting mail containing goods. The decision does not apply to items that include only documents, which will continue to be processed as usual.
The postal service attributes this move to what it describes as “bullying” tariffs imposed by the U.S. government. These tariffs, characterised by Hong Kong Post as “unreasonable” and “abusive,” have led to significant concerns about increased costs for residents of the city. Hong Kong Post warned that local customers should prepare for substantial fees as a consequence of these U.S. policies. In its official statement, the postal service asserted that it “would not act as a collector of these tariffs for the U.S.,” signalling a clear refusal to manage or facilitate the payment of these additional charges on behalf of customers.
Hong Kong, as a special administrative region of China, has recently been subjected to tariffs analogous to those imposed on mainland China. This reflects broader shifts in U.S. trade policy, including the removal of the long-standing “de minimis” exemption, which previously allowed low-value goods shipments to enter the U.S. without incurring customs duties.
The suspension of Hong Kong Post’s sea and air mail services to the U.S. represents a significant operational and logistical change, given the city’s status as an international financial hub with extensive trade links to America. The move illustrates the broader impact of evolving trade regulations between the two regions and indicates a shift in how Hong Kong’s postal services will manage cross-border shipments moving forward.
The Devdiscourse is reporting these developments, highlighting the implications for businesses and individuals relying on mail services between Hong Kong and the United States.
Source: Noah Wire Services