DEVELOPING: Postal Traffic to US Plummets 80% as Trade Exemption Rule Expires

BREAKING NEWS: Postal Traffic to US Plummets 80% as Trade Exemption Rule Expires The global postal network has seen a significant drop in traffic en route to the United States, with data showing an 81% decline on August 29 compared to a week earlier. The U.N.'s Universal Postal Union (UPU) reports that this drastic decrease is directly linked to the expiration of a trade exemption rule. The "de minimis" trade exemption allowed small packages worth less than $800 to be exempt from tariffs, but it ended on August 29. This change has had an immediate impact, with postal traffic coming to a near halt in the US. According to the UPU, this exemption was introduced by the Trump administration in 2020 as part of a trade agreement. The rule allowed small packages from other countries to be sent to the US without being subject to tariffs. However, its expiration has now led to a significant disruption in postal services. The UPU is working on developing a new technical solution to get traffic flowing back to the country. In the meantime, businesses and individuals who rely on international mail are facing significant delays and disruptions. This is a developing story, with updates expected as more information becomes available. *This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available. Based on reporting from Npr.*