Hong Kong has suspended mail services to the United States for any items containing goods, calling U.S. trade policies “unreasonable” and “bullying.” This decision comes as the U.S. prepares to enforce new tariffs on Hong Kong-origin shipments, treating the city the same as mainland China.
Starting April 27, Hong Kong Post will stop accepting air mail parcels containing goods bound for the U.S. Sea mail had already been suspended earlier. The suspension follows the Trump administration’s move to eliminate the “de minimis” exemption for Hong Kong, which had previously allowed low-value shipments to enter the U.S. without tariffs.
The new tariffs take effect on May 2. In response, Hong Kong Post declared it would not collect these tariffs on behalf of the U.S. government. Only mail containing documents will continue to be accepted and delivered.
These developments reflect the worsening trade relationship between the U.S. and China, particularly regarding Hong Kong’s changing political status. After Beijing imposed a national security law in 2020, the U.S. ended Hong Kong’s special trade status, citing its loss of autonomy under Chinese control.
The tariffs are the latest step in a broader policy shift that has hardened under the Trump administration. Though previous administrations highlighted Hong Kong’s unique legal and economic structure, current policies no longer distinguish between Hong Kong and mainland China in trade matters.
Critics argue that China continues to exploit international shipping rules through Hong Kong to bypass restrictions and tariffs. The U.S. action aims to close that loophole. Beijing and Hong Kong authorities claim the new U.S. measures are politically motivated and undermine free trade.
Hong Kong’s decision to halt package deliveries may increase tension in U.S.-China relations and impact businesses that rely on small goods shipments between the two regions.
