Royal Mail announces new service as major change to come into force

The move follows a US executive order last month

Royal Mail has announced it will be the first international postal operator to launch new services so that people can continue sending goods to the United States ahead of new customs requirements coming into effect on Friday.

At the end of July, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order ending a global tariff exemption used by shoppers of low-cost goods.

The order comes into force on 29 August and broadens earlier presidential action that specifically targeted cheap products from China and Hong Kong to now cover the rest of the world.

The exemption had allowed goods valued at $800 or less to enter the US without paying any tariffs.

US consumers relied on this to buy cheap clothes and household items from online commerce sites like Shein and Temu.

From today, on the eve of Trump’s order coming into effect, the UK’s primary provider of postal and delivery services has told customers they can use the company’s new postal delivery duties paid (PDDP) services to send low-value goods to the US.

Iain Johnson, managing director international at Royal Mail, said: “We have been working hard with the relevant US authorities and our international partners to adapt our services in a very short timeframe.

“Our UK-based customers, whether consumers or businesses, can now send items to the US through all of our usual channels, including online and the Post Office, in time for the new customs requirements which come into effect on August 29.”

Mr Johnson added: “Now, with just a few exceptions, all goods entering the USA will attract duties which will need to be paid to the US customs authorities, a process that will be handled by Royal Mail.

“This is a change to the previous rules where all goods under a value of 800 dollars could enter the US duty free.”

A recent Freedom of Information request from the BBC found that low-value imports from China to the UK more than doubled in 2024-25 from £1.3 million in the previous year.

According to the data supplied by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), around £3 billion worth of small parcels were shipped from the UK to China last year.

Earlier this year, the Government said it would review the current rules, which mean imports of packages valued at £135 or less avoid customs duties.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the review in April amid concerns that the exemption was allowing Chinese e-commerce firms to undercut UK high street businesses, who face significant business rate tax payments.