Poczta Polska: the abolition of the De Minimis threshold is a decision that has shaken the entire global postal market
Postal operators from around the world, in conjunction with the Universal Postal Union (UPU) Technology Centre, are finalizing work on implementing a solution that will help restore shipments of goods to the United States. The status of work on adapting to new US customs regulations was presented during the 28th UPU Congress, attended by representatives of 192 countries.
Poczta Polska is actively working to restore normal shipments to the US, both within international organisations and independently.
As of August 29, 2025, the United States has abolished the De Minimis rule , a threshold that exempts goods valued under $800 from customs duties. This means that every shipment containing goods is now subject to customs duties, regardless of its value or country of origin. This decision has a significant operational and financial impact on postal operators worldwide. Therefore, during an additional information session held by the UPU International Bureau and regional unions, including PostEurop and the Pan African Postal Union, the progress of work on resolving the issue was discussed.
Work on solving the problem
Currently, postal operators, including Poczta Polska, together with the Postal Technology Centre (PTC UPU), are finalizing work on implementing the DDP (Duty Delivery Paid) solution , which will enable the sender to pay all customs duties before shipment. Although only about 4% of operators currently use it, nearly half of UPU members have already expressed interest in implementing it. Each operator is also conducting its own work to restore the ability for customers to send parcels to the US as quickly as possible.
The voice of the representative of the Polish Post Office
” The change in customs rules in the United States and the abolition of the De Minimis threshold is a decision that has shaken the entire global postal market. For millions of customers, it means that sending goods to the US has become problematic, and for operators, it means we must quickly adapt systems and processes. The UPU Congress made it clear that global cooperation is needed. That’s why we are actively participating in work on implementing the DDP (Duty Delivery Paid) solution, which will allow senders, instead of recipients as was the case previously, to pay customs duties at the shipment stage, ” reports Iwona Majcherek from the International Affairs Department of Poczta Polska, who participated in the congress.
Warnings from PostEurop
PostEurop representatives warned that such rapid changes could lead to fragmentation of the global postal network, customer loss, and limited access to international postal services, including universal service. PostEurop Secretary General Botond Szebeny reported that mail volumes to the US have fallen by 60-80% since the end of August.
The US position remains unchanged
The US side confirmed the obligation to apply the new regulations from August 29th, justifying them with the need to stem the flow of illegal goods. However, according to US representatives, the current situation also creates new business opportunities for designated postal operators and encourages broader cooperation with e-commerce platforms.
Polish Post Priority
Poczta Polska, like other European operators, is closely monitoring the situation and is working to implement the DDP solution. Our goal is to restore the ability for customers to send goods to the United States as quickly as possible.
