GENEVA, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- Swiss Post announced on Monday that it will temporarily halt parcel deliveries to the United States, citing new U.S. customs regulations that hinder shipments. The move follows similar decisions by postal operators in other European countries.
Starting August 26, Swiss Post will no longer accept postal consignments bound for the U.S., with the exception of express mail services such as official documents and certificates.
The suspension comes in response to a U.S. government decision to end the current exemption that allows imports of goods valued up to 800 U.S. dollars without customs clearance.
Swiss Post is exploring options to allow limited consignments, such as gifts between private individuals worth up to 100 U.S. dollars, to resume as soon as possible. It is also working on alternative channels for sending goods to the U.S. outside traditional postal network.
The company stressed that the U.S. rules affect all postal companies worldwide and were introduced at very short notice, leaving key questions about liability and implementation unresolved. ■
