Hongkong Post has said it will continue to suspend postal services for US-bound parcels despite the US Postal Service’s resumption of inbound packages from China and Hong Kong.
The USPS said on Wednesday that it “will continue accepting all international inbound mail and packages from China and Hong Kong Posts,” reversing its decision to suspend parcels from the two jurisdictions one day earlier.
But Hongkong Post said on Thursday that it would continue to refuse US-bound parcels because the USPS would only accept packages with a “formal entry” filed with US customs authorities.
“Hongkong Post has been communicating with the postal administration of the United States, but there are still matters that need further clarification, including the request of the United States for the imposition of additional duty,” it said.
Sweeping tariffs
A sweeping 10 per cent levy on Chinese products, imposed by US President Donald Trump, started Tuesday, subjecting Hong Kong to the same tariffs.
Trump’s executive order also ended a “de minimis” allowance, which exempts small packages worth under US$800 (HK$6,230) from US duties.
Hongkong Post also slammed Trump’s tariffs. “We urge the United States to take urgent actions to rectify its wrongdoing, so as to avoid causing confusion and inconvenience to the public owing to its constantly changing policies,” it said in the statement.
The Hong Kong government separately warned on Thursday that if Washington did not “rectify its wrongdoing,” it may take “all possible actions” to defend its interests, including considering taking the matter to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Beijing responded to Trump’s tariffs with a 15 per cent tariff on American coal and liquefied natural gas products from next Monday, as well as a 10 per cent levy on crude oil, agricultural machinery and large-engine cars from the US.
