Due to changes in the United States' tariff policy, it has become impossible to send parcels to the United States from Korea Post starting today. However, normal dispatch is possible by using EMS Premium.
Korea Post announced on the 25th that it has temporarily suspended accepting air parcels to the United States due to a policy change enforcing tariff declaration and imposition on small mail items.
As the news of the suspension of parcel shipments to the United States became known through media reports, there was no major confusion on the morning of the 25th, but users are worried about the situation prolonging.
Starting from this day, the acceptance of air mail, which is cheaper than the international express mail service (EMS) but takes longer, has been suspended first, and beginning on the 26th, EMS excluding documents and letters cannot be sent.
Instead, parcel shipments to the United States are possible using EMS Premium, a product operated by the private courier service (UPS).
If the item weight exceeds 4.5 kg, EMS Premium may be cheaper, but the delivery fee for low-weight items incurs about 10% higher expense than Korea Post's EMS.
Even if it is possible to send at a lower rate through EMS Premium for items weighing over 4.5 kg, there is a problem as private couriers do not handle food items such as kimchi and expensive goods due to difficulties.
A Korea Post official said, "It seems that we will not be able to send items that are not accepted by private couriers, such as kimchi or food items, to the United States for the time being."