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US postal traffic plummeted over 80% following the Trump administration's abolishment of the de minimis exemption on small packages. This exemption, in place since 1938, allowed duty-free imports under $800. The Universal Postal Union (UPU) reports 88 operators globally have suspended US shipments due to insufficient time to adapt to new tariff collection procedures. The UPU is developing a technical solution to restore mail flow.

Prepared by Christopher Adams and reviewed by editorial team.