Thailand Post has suspended all outgoing letters, packages, and parcels to the United States following sweeping changes in American customs regulations.
Until recently, items worth less than US$800 (about 26,000 baht) were exempt from import duties. However, beginning August 29, most international mail sent to the US will be subject to new tariffs, potentially adding up to US$160 in extra charges for recipients.
Although an executive order signed by former President Donald Trump excludes letters and documents from the surcharges, confusion over how the rules will be enforced has caused disruption. Even simple items such as birthday cards could face closer inspection, raising the risk of delays.
Thailand Post said it had been unable to obtain a firm guarantee from US authorities that first-class letters would not be treated as “goods intended for consumption.” As a result, it has stopped handling all mail destined for the US until further notice.
The move mirrors decisions made by postal services in other countries. Singapore, China, Hong Kong, France, Switzerland, Denmark, and Belgium have also halted some or all US-bound deliveries.
In the UK, certain export services were paused to give authorities time to implement new systems for processing tariffs and taxes.
Private courier companies such as DHL and FedEx continue to accept shipments to the US, but customers face significantly higher fees.
They are also being warned of increased scrutiny at customs and longer transit times, with the standard three-day air delivery no longer guaranteed.
Thailand Post stressed the suspension is temporary, pending clarification from US Customs and Border Protection. However, it acknowledged that mailing costs will likely rise once services resume.
The policy shift has sparked speculation online, with conspiracy theories gaining traction. One widely shared claim suggests the real motive is to hinder Americans living overseas from casting mail-in ballots in future elections.
