On July 30, 2025, the U.S. President issued Executive Order No. 14324 “Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for All Countries.” This order, effective on August 29, 2025, eliminated existing duty-free treatment of shipments to the United States of goods valued up to $800. As a result, all shipments of parcels to the United States of any value are now subject to collection of duties. The policy change is global and not specific to the FSM.
Based on EO No. 14324, the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced it would suspend acceptance of all parcel shipments from the FSM destined for Hawaii and the U.S. mainland, effective August 29, 2025. Parcels destined for Guam, RMI, Palau, CNMI, and other international destinations can still be accepted for shipment.
This measure will be in effect until a mechanism required under the U.S. President’s Executive Order is in place for the collection and remittance of tariff payments by the FSM. This mechanism requires the use of a party approved by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) as “qualified” to collect and remit the required tariffs. The qualified party is also required to set up a bond/fund out of which CBP can collect any shortfall in the remitted tariff.
Like many other postal services, the NPS currently lacks the necessary internal capacity to assess and collect duties on all parcel shipments to the U.S. The NPS is actively working with the FSM National Government, other governments in the region, and the USPS to secure the services of a qualified party with these capabilities. All three FAS postal services are working together to restore the needed services as soon as possible. We will make another announcement when the shipment of parcels to the U.S. can resume. That announcement will include appropriate instructions for the public. In the meantime, shipments of parcels from the FSM to these destinations may be arranged using DHL, UPS, FedEx, or other private companies.
We know this change in U.S. policy has created disruption for many FSM citizens and we are working actively with relevant officials to address the situation. Rest assured we are doing everything in our power to restore full outgoing parcel service through our post offices as soon as possible. We thank you for your patience and understanding.
Shipment of parcels from the FSM through the FSM post offices for commercial purposes and the use of flat rate boxes are prohibited under the 2023 Amended Compact. Commercial shipments to the FSM through the FSM post offices continue unaffected.
We invite you to contact the National Postal Service with any questions. Suggestion boxes are available at all post offices for any comments or suggestions you may have.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q. How will this change affect our customers?
A. The FSM National Postal Service regrets it is unable to accept parcels for shipment to Honolulu and the mainland United States while the suspension is in place as the result of the recent U.S. Executive Order. Parcel service to these destinations should resume once a qualified party is in place to collect and remit the required tariffs.
Q. Is all outbound parcel service affected?
A. No, parcels destined for Guam, the CNMI, and other international destinations can still be accepted for shipment.
Q. Will letter service be affected?
A. No, the suspension applies only to parcels. Letter service is not affected, nor are the other services the National Postal Service offers.
Q. Will inbound parcels be affected?
A. No, inbound parcel service remains open.
Q. Why the change?
A. The suspension is the result of a change in U.S. tariff and customs policy and USPS procedures. It is not the result of any action or inaction by the National Postal Service or the FSM Government.
Q. Are there any alternatives that allow shipments of parcels outside the FSM?
A. Some private couriers such as DHL, UPS, and FedEx may be able to ship parcels from the FSM to the affected destinations during the suspension. Please contact your local offices of these businesses for more information.
The updated bulletin is available for download in PDF format here.