SA Post Office stops sending parcels to the US

The South African Post Office (SAPO) immediately suspended all outbound parcel deliveries containing goods to the United States after US customs regulations changed under the Donald Trump administration.

The US revoked duty-free allowances for international parcels valued under $800 (about R14 200), effective 30 July 2025.

The new rules now force postal operators worldwide to pre-pay US duties on behalf of customers before shipments can enter the country.

Parcels Halted, Letters Still Accepted

SAPO confirmed that the suspension applies only to parcels containing goods destined for the US, while services for letters, documents, and exempt mail classes (such as military mail) remain operational.

Officials will return all qualifying parcels already received at the Germiston International Mail Centre that cannot be processed under the new requirements to the sender.

“Until a new system is in place to manage this process, parcels cannot be dispatched,” SAPO said in a statement.

Previously, items under $800 sent to the US were exempt from customs duties, facilitating smoother e-commerce and personal shipments.

However, the new policy imposes advance duty payments, a significant logistical and financial burden for foreign postal services.

“Given the complex processes required to comply with the new regulation, we have no choice but to temporarily suspend these shipments,” said Anoosh Rooplal, SAPO’s joint business rescue practitioner.

Customer Impact

This development is expected to affect:

• Small businesses and e-commerce sellers exporting to US customers
• Individuals sending gifts or personal goods to family or friends abroad
• Importers in the US awaiting goods from South Africa

SAPO has not specified when it will resume the service, explaining that it must first develop a new system to comply with the US customs process.

It urged customers to contact local branches for assistance or updates on affected shipments.

The state-owned postal service, already in business rescue to restructure and stabilise operations, now faces yet another challenge.

For now, customers should send letters—not parcels—if their destination is the United States.