GROUNDED
Jamaica Post halts US-bound parcels amid tariff changes
Published:Wednesday | August 27, 2025 | 12:10 AMJanet Silvera/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Jamaica Post has announced the suspension of sending all parcels and packets bound for the United States, effective Tuesday, following an executive order from Washington that ends duty-free treatment for low-value imports this week.
In a release issued late Tuesday, Jamaica Post confirmed that August 26 was the final day for the posting of parcels and packets (letters containing merchandise) to the US until further notice. The last outbound flight carrying such mail will depart Kingston on Thursday, August 28.
The suspension comes in response to Executive Order (EO) 14324, which eliminates the long-standing de minimis rule allowing packages valued under US$800 to enter the US duty-free. The order takes effect on Friday, August 29, and applies globally.
“Jamaica Post received official notification of this change today,” the release stated. “This EO affects the processing of parcels and packets from all countries, not just Jamaica.”
While regular letters and other postal services remain unaffected, the measure adds Jamaica to a growing list of countries halting merchandise shipments to the US amid uncertainty over the new import rules. Germany, Denmark, Sweden, and Italy have already stopped sending most parcels, while the UK’s Royal Mail also paused shipments on Tuesday.
Postal staff in Kingston confirmed earlier in the day that they were instructed not to accept US-bound packages.
“Effective today, we were told not to accept any packages to the USA,” one postal worker told The Gleaner.
Another added bluntly: “If we collect your mail, it’s going nowhere. It will stay at the head office.”
The disruption comes as Jamaica’s Postal and Telecommunications Department continues to grapple with financial pressures. In 2024, it processed 8.5 million pieces of mail, down from 10.2 million in 2023, with revenues falling by $237 million to $458 million. Rising costs widened its deficit to $3.7 billion.
Jamaica Post said it is engaging partners to address the issue and promised further updates as more details emerge.