Monday, August 25, 2025 - New Zealand’s postal service has suspended most deliveries to the United States, citing uncertainty over the effects of new tariffs set to take effect under President Donald Trump’s trade measures.
NZ Post said the suspension began on August 21, ahead of the
US government’s plan to impose a 15 percent tariff on small packages entering
the country from August 29. In the meantime, only limited categories of
mail, including letters and critical documents such as passports and legal
papers, will continue to be delivered.
The decision mirrors actions by postal operators in India,
Germany, France, Belgium, Austria and Denmark, which have also halted or
restricted shipments following Washington’s move to abolish a tax exemption on
low-value imports.
While the US began imposing tariffs on foreign nations in
April, many of the measures are only taking effect this month after months of
delays and negotiations.
In a statement, NZ Post said it was “working quickly” to
adapt its services and aimed to resume full deliveries “as soon as possible.”
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told Radio New Zealand that uncertainty over
how the tariffs will be applied has created operational challenges for postal
services worldwide.
“As these postal organisations have worked out, they can’t
guarantee what the tariff rate will be or cost, or how that will all work in
practical terms,” Luxon said. “I’m sure NZ Post, along with its counterparts in
other countries, will work with the US to get clarity."
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