The Airforwarders Association has expressed its frustration after the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced it was suspending acceptance of inbound packages from China and Hong Kong before swiftly reversing the decision less than 24 hours later.

READ: USPS says it will resume accepting inbound packages from China, Hong Kong

The initial USPS announcement, which came unexpectedly, caused widespread concern among freight forwarders, e-commerce businesses, and international shippers. The suspension was reportedly tied to heightened regulatory enforcement efforts aimed at tackling illicit shipments. However, the lack of prior notice and a clearly communicated rationale led to significant confusion within the logistics industry.

Less than a day after making the announcement, USPS abruptly reversed its decision and resumed accepting inbound parcels from China and Hong Kong. While the reversal alleviated immediate concerns, it left many in the air cargo and forwarding sectors questioning the decision-making process and the potential for future disruptions without warning.

The Airforwarders Association (AfA) has since voiced its concerns over the uncertainty caused by this rapid policy shift.

“The Airforwarders Association is pleased that the U.S. Postal Service has resumed accepting inbound parcels from China and Hong Kong, but we remain frustrated by the uncertainty and lack of clear decision-making surrounding this suspension,” Brandon Fried, Executive Director of the Airforwarders Association, said.

“Sudden disruptions like this create confusion for businesses and consumers, undermining confidence in global trade and supply chains. While we support strong enforcement measures to combat illicit shipments, policy decisions must be transparent, well-communicated, and strategically targeted to avoid unnecessary disruptions to legitimate commerce. We urge policymakers to provide greater clarity and consistency in trade-related actions moving forward.”