According to Deutsche Welle, the de minimis exemption has been a point of contention. Critics argue that the influx of low-value imports is detrimental to US retailers and raises concerns about unchecked items entering the country, potentially including fentanyl and other drugs.

The new rules mandate that all parcels shipped to the US are now subject to tariffs. Postal operators and transport firms are tasked with collecting these duties and handling the necessary paperwork. However, the UPU indicated that operators were not given sufficient time to prepare for these changes, nor to implement mechanisms to collect the duties and establish a connection with the relevant US authorities, resulting in "major operational disruptions."

UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki stated that the agency is working on "the rapid development of a new technical solution that will help get mail moving to the United States again." Several countries, including Mexico, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Australia, Japan, Taiwan, India, and Switzerland, have announced a halt to parcel shipping for business customers to the US.