Parcel shipments from Bangladesh to the United States have been halted for over two weeks due to complications arising from a new U.S. tariff policy. The Bangladesh Postal Department implemented this suspension on August 28.
Under the previous U.S. “de minimis” rule, goods valued at $800 or less could enter duty-free. However, the Trump administration repealed this policy, and from August 29, all types of imported goods are now subject to customs duties. This sudden change has created difficulties for small businesses and expatriate families worldwide.
According to international media outlets AFP and BBC, at least 88 countries, including Bangladesh, have suspended or limited postal parcel services to the U.S. Data from the Universal Postal Union (UPU) shows that within just one week of the decision taking effect, the number of parcels sent to the U.S. by mail dropped by 81%.
Online entrepreneurs and small businesses in Bangladesh are among the worst affected. Da Ching, owner of the online handicraft business “Finary” in Mirpur, Dhaka, said, “Since the beginning of this month, every parcel I sent has been returned. The post office says they are no longer accepting parcels for the U.S. This has put me in trouble with my customers.”
Fabric traders from Islampur in Old Dhaka shared similar experiences. Unable to send sarees and salwar kameez to expatriate Bangladeshis, they have been forced to cancel several international orders. They complained that the cost of private courier services is nearly three times higher than that of the government postal system, which is unsustainable for their businesses.
This has become a major issue not just for businesses but also for ordinary people. A parent in Dhaka said he regularly sent clothes, dry food, and books to his son studying in the U.S. He noted, “The post office was our affordable option. Now we simply cannot bear the cost of private couriers.”
Currently, private courier companies such as DHL and FedEx are operating, but their charges have more than tripled. One customer, Dipankar Roy, said that previously, sending a 2 kg parcel via the post office cost around 2,000–3,000 BDT. Now, the same costs 7,000–10,000 BDT via private courier.
A FedEx official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “There are no new tariffs on parcels worth under $100. However, goods valued above that are now subject to a 30% duty. As a result, customers have reduced parcel shipments.”
Parveen Banu, Additional Director General of the Bangladesh Postal Department, said, “We are in ongoing discussions with U.S. authorities. We hope the issue will be resolved soon and that parcel services can resume.”
