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The
U.S. government earlier announced that it would end a customs
exception allowing small-value parcels from Hong Kong to enter
the U.S. without tax, slapping a 120% tariff on them starting
from May 2. The “de minimis” exemption currently allows
shipments that are worth less than $800 to go tax-free.
A government statement said Hongkong Post would not collect
tariffs on behalf of Washington, and will suspend accepting
non-airmail parcels containing goods destined for the U.S. on
Wednesday, since items shipped by sea take more time. It will
accept airmail parcels until Apr. 27.
“For sending items to the US, the public in Hong Kong should be
prepared to pay exorbitant and unreasonable fees due to the
U.S.’s unreasonable and bullying acts,” the government wrote.
It will continue accepting mail that contains only documents.
Hong Kong, is caught in the middle of the trade disputes between
the U.S. and China despite being a free port.
The former British colony, which returned to Chinese rule in
1997, has trade and customs policies different from mainland
China's, under the semi-autonomy granted by Beijing during the
handover. But Washington began treating it as part of China
after Beijing imposed a national security law in 2020, and has
applied the 145% tariffs imposed on Chinese imports.
The national security law, which China says has brought back
stability to the city, has virtually silenced all dissent.
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