NEW ZEALAND HAS become the latest country to suspend large numbers of postal deliveries to the United States over the imposition of tariffs by US President Donald Trump.

New Zealand’s postal service said it had suspended most deliveries to the United States, citing uncertainty over the impact of President Donald Trump’s looming tariffs.

The move follows similar steps taken by postal services and mail carriers in India, Germany, France, Belgium, Austria and Denmark after the Trump administration said that as of 29 August it would abolish a tax exemption on small packages entering the United States.

NZ Post said it had temporarily suspended services before the US’s 15% tariff takes effect on 29 August.

Only limited letters and important documents — such as passports or legal letters — would be delivered to the United States, said a statement on the carrier’s website.

The United States started imposing tariffs on goods coming from other countries in April but most are only coming into force this month after months of negotiations and delays.

NZ Post said it was “working quickly” to make changes to its service and that it hoped to resume deliveries as “soon as possible”.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told Radio New Zealand today that there is confusion over the impact of the tariffs.

“As these postal organisations have worked out, they can’t guarantee what the tariff rate will be or cost, or how that will all work in practical terms,” Luxon said.

“I’m sure NZ Post, along with its counterparts in other countries, will work with the US to get clarity.”

© AFP 2025