Portugal’s postal service CTT suspends sending parcels to the US

Portugal’s postal service CTT decided to suspend the transport of parcels from one side of the Atlantic to the other because the ‘de minimus’ regime has been terminated and which exempted import taxes on low value items imported into the United States.

This will affect all mail products, universal order services, and international express services according to the business daily Negócios.

A source at the CTT made clear that the transfer of goods is still available through its International Premium service for CTT Expresso clients who have contracts with the postal service.

This service allows for mailing of up to 30kg with collection and delivery at the most convenient place with import taxes borne by the recipient.

CTT also explains that dispatches to the United States containing documents and gifts between private individuals (I.e not a companies or businesses) worth less than US$100 will not be affected by the measure.

The change in the ‘de minimus regime’ was issued by an executive order on July 30, 2025 signed by Donald Trump, suspending duty-free treatment of low value shipments (US$800 or less) for most goods starting August 29.

This order ends the practice of duty-free entry for most parcels, subjecting them to tariffs and fees, and is a global extension of an earlier ban on ‘de minimis’ treatment for Chinese goods.

Source: Negócios