New Zealand Post has temporarily stopped certain deliveries to the United States and its territories as new American tariffs take effect.
The pause affects shipping to places like American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Only basic letter services and some express documents can still be sent.
The changes began on August 29, when new tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump came into force. These tariffs, which are like taxes on imports, make foreign goods more expensive. New Zealand now faces a 15 percent tariff, up from the 10 percent rate announced earlier in the year.
The suspended services include economy, tracked, courier, and express parcels. NZ Post said the halt was temporary but could not say when full services would return. They promised to keep customers updated as the situation develops.
Trump first announced the tariffs in April, saying they would affect over 125 countries. While supporters of tariffs say they help protect local businesses, critics warn they reduce global trade and raise prices for shoppers.
Earlier this year, a survey found two-thirds of New Zealand businesses feared the tariffs could have a bigger global effect than both the Covid-19 pandemic and the financial crisis of 2008.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has said New Zealand will not retaliate with its own tariffs.
