The urgent message of the Polish Post Office of 2024, which is full valid in 2025, shook the Polish e-commerce marketplace and thousands of Poles. As of 29 August 2024, the broadcasting of parcels of goods to the United States was completely suspended. This is simply a direct effect of extremist changes in the US customs system, which have made each, even the smallest consignment, subject to customs duty. The end of duty-free purchases outside the Ocean means higher prices and longer waiting time for delivery, which is simply a powerful blow for both individual consumers and dynamic Polish online shops. How will these regulations affect your buying and business in 2025?
End of work Free Shipping: What Changed in the US since August 2024?
The decision of the Polish Post Office is not a whim, but a direct consequence to the fresh customs regulations introduced by the US administration. Until recently, goods of a value below $800 US may have been sent to the United States without any customs duty. This rule was the foundation for many tiny and medium-sized enterprises, as well as for individuals who regularly sent gifts or tiny items. However, from 29 August 2024 the situation changed dramatically. Each consignment with the goods, regardless of its value and the country of dispatch, is now subject to a mandatory duty.
It was this change that forced the Polish Post to take drastic steps. Postal operators are incapable to meet fresh complex customs procedures which require a detailed description of each subject substance and toll collection already at the broadcasting stage. The restrictions apply to all types of shipments with goods: from conventional postal parcels to registered letters to popular express services specified as Global Express or EMS. The only shipments that can inactive travel beyond the ocean are papers and correspondence. For many companies that have based their business model on exports to the US, this is simply a real shock.
Global Domino Effect: Europe in the Face of fresh Commercial Rules
The problem with shipping to the US is not just a Polish specificity. akin decisions to suspend services have already been made by postal operators in another key European Union countries, including Germany, France and Spain. This shows the scale of the challenge facing all Europe. The Post Europe organisation, which brings together European postal operators, warned that the fresh rules would have global consequences and that their effects would be felt millions of entrepreneurs and consumers All over the world.
In consequence to these changes, the European Union has negotiated with the US, resulting in a trade compromise. By its power, most of the goods exported from Europe to the United States will be charged 15 % duty. However, there are exceptions: any alcohols may be subject to higher taxes, while generic medicines and aircraft will have lower rates. This regulation aims to partially mitigate the blow, but at the same time introduces a fresh permanent trade barrier that will importantly rise costs and complicate logistics for European companies who inactive want to sale their products in the US in 2025.
Punch in Poland E-commerce and Consumer Portfolios: What Next in 2025?
For the Polish e-commerce sector, which has been dynamically developing cross-border sales in fresh years, the suspension of shipments to the US is serious distortion of activity. Companies that sent handicrafts, clothing, cosmetics or specialized products to the Ocean abruptly lost the key distribution channel. Experts inform that orders from Europe to the US can not only importantly increase the said 15% of the duties, but besides extend transportation time even by a fewer weeks, due to the request for customs clearance of each consignment.
This is simply a direct blow to European competitiveness, and consequently, Polish online retailers. Consumers in the U.S., faced with the choice of more costly and slower delivered products from Europe, can start to like the offer of companies from another regions of the planet that are not covered by specified restrictive regulations, or simply choose local suppliers. The Polish Post Office ensures that it closely monitors the situation and is ready to reconstruct the anticipation of shipping parcels with goods as shortly as there is simply a applicable solution to operate fresh customs procedures. For now, however, both individual customers and traders must look for alternative, frequently more expensive, shipping routes or completely halt sales for the Ocean in 2025. This situation clearly shows how fast global trade policy can translate into the regular life and business of millions of people.
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Polish Post stopped shipping to the US. fresh duties hit Poles: the end of inexpensive packages since 2025!
