New Zealand Post suspends deliveries to US over tariffs

WELLINGTON (AFP): New Zealand’s postal service said it had suspended most deliveries to the United States, citing uncertainty over the impact of President Donald Trump’s looming tariffs.

NZ Post said it had temporarily suspended services as of August 21 before the US 15 percent tariff takes effect on August 29.

Only limited letters and important documents — such as passports or legal letters — would be delivered to the United States, said a statement on the carrier’s website.

The move follows similar steps taken by postal services and mail carriers in India, Germany, France, Belgium, Austria and Denmark after the Trump administration said that as of August 29 it would abolish a tax exemption on small packages entering the United States.

The United States started imposing tariffs on foreign nations in April, but most are only coming into force this month after months of negotiations and delays.

NZ Post said it was “working quickly” to make changes to its service and that it hoped to resume deliveries as “soon as possible.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told Radio New Zealand on Monday there was confusion over the impact of the tariffs.

“As these postal organizations have worked out, they can’t guarantee what the tariff rate will be or cost, or how that will all work in practical terms,” Luxon said.

“I’m sure NZ Post, along with its counterparts in other countries, will work with the US to get clarity.”