Picture courtesy of Facebook/The Palladium World Shopping Pratunam

Thailand Post has halted all international parcel services to the US following President Trump's abolition of the de minimis tax exemption. Thapanee Amarinrat announced on 21 August that this temporary suspension hits millions of global parcels destined for America.

 

For now, customers can still send packages via Courier Post and to Amazon FBA warehouses. Trump's decision to remove the de minimis threshold, which allowed low-value imports into the US duty-free, has caused logistical chaos. This exemption, previously set at approximately 28,649 Thai Baht ($800) daily per person, enabled the smooth import of small packages.

 

Shipping companies, sellers, and consumers are now facing complicated, pricey compliance challenges with little guidance from US authorities. Global postal operators are already halting US shipments as the policy shift looms, impacting over 4 million daily packages handled by US Customs and Border Protection.

 

Economic Disruption Looms as New Rules Take Hold

 

The rollback of the de minimis exemption threatens to slow the bustling flow of international trade, hitting smaller online retailers hardest. These businesses, reliant on low-cost shipping, must now navigate the murky waters of increased tariffs and paperwork, reported The Nation.

 

Logistics firms, too, are in a scramble to adapt to the new landscape, as procedures grow costly and convoluted. With limited instructions from US federal bodies, confusion and disruption are expected to mount before solutions emerge.

 

Broader Impact on Global Trade Patterns

 

This dramatic policy change reverberates beyond parcel services, signalling a shift in global trade relationships. Trade experts warn of a chain reaction as countries recalibrate their export strategies in response to the US's new stance.

 

The suspension of Thailand Post’s services underscores the immediate effects on consumers and businesses alike. With millions of items caught in the regulatory crosshairs, the international shipping sector faces an evolving challenge.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Nation 2025-08-23

 

What?

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Thailand Post has halted all international parcel services to the US following President Trump's abolition of the de minimis tax exemption. Thapanee Amarinrat announced on 21 August that this temporary suspension hits millions of global parcels destined for America.

Ridiculous 

WTF? Thai Post ships to the EU which hits everything with VAT and duty. No issues. Why can't they do the same with the US?

So what happens the parcels accepted, paid for but not yet sent?

Does it affect incoming parcels?

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Trump's decision to remove the de minimis threshold, which allowed low-value imports into the US duty-free, has caused logistical chaos.

 

Trump is way off the deep end with his trade war.  Nothing will be gained from this and Americans will be harmed. Here's a real world example. Last year I bought this pair of headphones for $80. I'm back in the US now and wanted to buy another pair and the price has jumped to $109.  The only winners here are the government sector and taxes they will collect.

 

 

Boo Hoo.....the taxes and custom fees for bringing products here is way worse.

I had an issue with Hertz and sent a registered letter from the Netherlands on June 23rd. On June 30th it arrived at US customs and still lies there. My issue was resolved through another route and NL post has refunded the 23.50 postal charge.

1 minute ago, Dirk Z said:

I had an issue with Hertz and sent a registered letter from the Netherlands on June 23rd. On June 30th it arrived at US customs and still lies there. My issue was resolved through another route and NL post has refunded the 23.50 postal charge.

 

It has nothing to do with US De Minimis cancelation

19 minutes ago, wimpy said:

WTF? Thai Post ships to the EU which hits everything with VAT and duty. No issues. Why can't they do the same with the US?

Because you have an absolute maniac in charge there, who cannot make up his mind from one day to the next, and has imposed punishing tariffs which will result in a severe decline in the US economy, in the near term. Just wait. The stock market might be roaring now due to a statement from the FED, but just give it a little time. 

14 minutes ago, NorthernRyland said:

Trump is way off the deep end with his trade war.  Nothing will be gained from this and Americans will be harmed. Here's a real world example. Last year I bought this pair of headphones for $80. I'm back in the US now and wanted to buy another pair and the price has jumped to $109.  The only winners here are the government sector and taxes they will collect.

 

The taxes they will collect in the long run will allow to raise wages. Eventually, the buying power of American people will increase. Not immediately, it will take 2 years or so.

That is potentially one way to prevent his latest blood-sugar-related decision to stop mail-in ballots. 

On another thread, those of us who get US Social Security here have to file form 7162 (Proof of Life) now. It's very late this year and a lot of people haven't gotten them yet. We now have 60 days from July 31st (when they were mailed from the US) to get them back to the SSA. This is a new hiccup we don't need.

However, I'm not certain whether documents are included in this.  Chat GPT sites references that say documents are exempt. It's "goods" that they're after.  We'll see.

Meanwhile, Thailand's de minimus threshold was abolished in May 2024, so where's the story ?

13 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Because you have an absolute maniac in charge there, who cannot make up his mind from one day to the next, and has imposed punishing tariffs which will result in a severe decline in the US economy, in the near term. Just wait. The stock market might be roaring now due to a statement from the FED, but just give it a little time. 

DHl and FedEx still available.  Free up some cash.
 

Blah blah blah,  been hearing the same BS  since Inauguration Day.  Then when the tariffs were imposed.  All doom and gloom.

 

Leftists predictions have NEVER come true.

 

Look and weep!

 

 

4 minutes ago, Pla Simon said:

Meanwhile, Thailand's de minimus threshold was abolished in May 2024, so where's the story ?

 

This is about VAT 7% only

1 minute ago, Hakuna Matata said:

 

The taxes they will collect in the long run will allow to raise wages. Eventually, the buying power of American people will increase. Not immediately, it will take 2 years or so.

In what way do higher taxes increase wages?  As prices increase (Remember, Tariffs are a TAX American consumers pay) people consume less products.  That means less people are needed at shipping ports, less truck drivers, less material handlers, less workers in the stores, and less Americans spending money on goods, services, home improvements, hobbies, vacations ... etc. etc. etc ... HOW do higher prices increase wages, when higher prices create higher unemployment? HOW do higher prices increase American buying power????  I am pretty sure you do not know how tariffs are paid, and who pays them.  Right now, Americans are in a buying / shipping frenzy to get as much as possible in inventory BEFORE the tariffs need to be paid.  In about 6 months, everything will grind to a halt, and prices for Americans will be about 15% higher.  An increase of 15% is called "INFLATION"

33 minutes ago, wimpy said:

WTF? Thai Post ships to the EU which hits everything with VAT and duty. No issues. Why can't they do the same with the US?

Because nobody knows who's paying what. That's why many are postponing , UK, NL, DHL and many more.

5 hours ago, wimpy said:

WTF? Thai Post ships to the EU which hits everything with VAT and duty. No issues. Why can't they do the same with the US?

Because of the US changing the rules, sometimes in the same DAY.  The Americans do not have an organized, linear, proven infrastructure to manage TARIFF / TAX on packages less than $800, and Thailand is basically saying "Don't make your half baked moronic daily tariff changes our problem, call us when you can hit your own a$$ with both hands"

27 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

Boo Hoo.....the taxes and custom fees for bring products here is way worse.

Yep, and Thailand just got ridiculous on import tariffs on all packages into Thailand, have to go to the sorting office to pay 30 baht etc now.

In this day and age of internet, scan and fax, turbo fax, mobile banking, direct deposit, automatic bill payment directly from one’s bank and Venmo.

 

Who in the hell still uses snail mail?  Especially from Thailand to the USA.

 

Probably the same people who write checks. 

32 minutes ago, lordgrinz said:

Boo Hoo.....the taxes and custom fees for bringing products here is way worse.

Indeed, recently I ordered a microwave (part) in Australia, if I would just pay 25% import tax here.

Taxes and duties are normally collected from the recipient in the destination country. Shouldn't affect Thai Post, as they are not responsible for collecting the tax and duty. 

Just checked their website. Courier is the only option available for the US. What a joke.

4 minutes ago, ThreeCardMonte said:

In this day and age of internet, scan and fax, turbo fax, mobile banking, direct deposit, automatic bill payment directly from one’s bank and Venmo.

 

Who in the hell still uses snail mail?  Especially from Thailand to the USA.

 

Probably the same people who write checks. 

Lots of small businesses.

11 minutes ago, wimpy said:

Lots of small businesses.

If you have to sell Thsi trinkets on eBay to survive maybe you shouldn’t have quit your real job. 

You think you are mocking Democrats, by showing pics of the Trump voting base.  Sad! 

33 minutes ago, Galong said:

That is potentially one way to prevent his latest blood-sugar-related decision to stop mail-in ballots. 

On another thread, those of us who get US Social Security here have to file form 7162 (Proof of Life) now. It's very late this year and a lot of people haven't gotten them yet. We now have 60 days from July 31st (when they were mailed from the US) to get them back to the SSA. This is a new hiccup we don't need.

However, I'm not certain whether documents are included in this.  Chat GPT sites references that say documents are exempt. It's "goods" that they're after.  We'll see.

You have to send your Proof of Life by mail to the USA? How backwards.

I have to send two different Proof of Life documents every year, and I can do that by scanning and email. It appears that is possible in 2025.

2 hours ago, webfact said:

suspension hits millions of global parcels destined for America

 

Thailand - the hub of lost business!

Shot itself in the foot yet again.

1 minute ago, Presto said:

You have to send your Proof of Life by mail to the USA? How backwards.

I have to send two different Proof of Life documents every year, and I can do that by scanning and email. It appears that is possible in 2025.

It's absurd on many levels. I had to send a FBAR (declaration of foreign bank accounts) earlier this year and I filed US taxes. I don't think dead people do that.  Also, when an American dies in Thailand, the embassy is notified right away.  In other words, it's not even necessary. If he wants to save money, stop the program or make it online.

Mailing is the only option. They did have a fax option, but stopped that so they could get an original with real ink in the signature. 

1 minute ago, Burma Bill said:

 

Thailand - the hub of lost business!

Shot itself in the foot yet again.

It's not just Thailand.  Postal services that have suspended or restricted their services to the US include, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Singapore, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Australia and New Zealand.  More will likely follow suit.