SAPO Halts U.S. Parcel Deliveries Over New Duty Rules

JOHANNESBURG — 30 July 2025

The South African Post Office (SAPO) has immediately suspended all outbound parcel shipments to the United States following changes to U.S. customs regulations under the Donald Trump administration. The halt affects only parcels containing goods, not letters or documents. (SAPO statement)

New U.S. rules revoked duty-free allowances for international parcels valued under $800 (about R14 200), effective 30 July 2025. Postal services worldwide must now prepay duties before shipments enter the U.S.

SAPO confirmed it will return affected parcels already at its Germiston International Mail Centre. “Until a new system is in place to manage this process, parcels cannot be dispatched,” the postal service stated.

Joint business rescue practitioner Anoosh Rooplal explained: “Given the complex processes required to comply with the new regulation, we have no choice but to temporarily suspend these shipments.”

The suspension impacts:

• Small businesses and online sellers exporting to U.S. customers
• Individuals sending personal goods or gifts to family/friends
• American importers awaiting South African goods

SAPO hasn’t specified when services will resume, saying it must first establish a compliance system. The troubled state-owned entity, already under business rescue, faces additional strain. (SAPO statement)

Customers should contact local branches for shipment updates. Until further notice, only letters—not parcels—should be sent to U.S. addresses.