Big blow for SKN shippers as US Customs rule halts packages

If you were planning to send a package to family or friends in the US this week, you might want to hold off. The St Kitts & Nevis Postal Service has announced an immediate suspension of all parcels bound for America after new customs rules kicked in today.

At the heart of the issue is a new Executive Order from Washington — number 14324 — which scraps the long-standing $800 duty-free allowance for imports and replaces it with a complicated set of tariffs and paperwork. Postal services across the world, from the UK to India and right across the Caribbean, say they simply can’t guarantee compliance until the details are clearer.

For St Kitts and Nevis, the result is simple but painful: no packages to the US until further notice. Letters and documents will still get through, but anything with goods inside — whether it’s gifts, online shopping, or small business exports — is paused.

The Postal Service admitted the disruption will hit hard, particularly for families used to sending care packages and for businesses that rely on e-commerce. Officials stressed they’re working with regional and international partners to find a solution, but there’s no timeline yet for when normal service will resume.

In short: parcels are grounded, letters can still fly, and everyone’s waiting to see how long the new US customs headache lasts.