TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Chunghwa Post (中華郵政), Taiwan's national postal service, resumed accepting certain airmail items to the United States Wednesday (Oct. 1) following a suspension triggered by U.S. customs tariff changes. The service restoration comes with strict warnings that packages exceeding US$100 (around NT$3,040) in value face seizure, destruction, or return by U.S. customs authorities. The resumption follows a temporary halt implemented in late August after Washington modified international package regulations.
Chunghwa Post officials stated the service resumption aligns with U.S. government policy exempting non-commercial gifts and books valued at US$100 or less from tariffs. The postal service emphasized senders must accept responsibility for non-compliant packages and cover return shipping costs. The restrictions followed Washington's August decision to end tariff exemptions for international packages under US$800 (around NT$24,320), prompting several countries to suspend U.S. deliveries.
The service resumption provides relief for customers navigating the expanding cross-border e-commerce market between Taiwan and the United States. Chunghwa Post simultaneously launched international ePacket service for the U.S. and Spain, offering economical shipping for lightweight items under 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds). The new service includes package tracking capabilities through the postal service's website, enhancing customer convenience and delivery transparency. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$30.4)