In today’s rapidly evolving global trade environment, logistics disruptions aren’t always driven by major policy changes or tariff shifts. Localised developments – such as IT failures, postal service suspensions or national economic constraints – can just as easily disrupt your delivery chain and impact your bottom line.

In this article, we highlight three countries that deserve your attention in 2025: Lebanon, Italy, and China.

–

READ MORE : New Postal Tariffs on Cross-Border Parcels: What International Sellers Need to Know

–

Lebanon: Shrinking Volumes, Rising Costs, and Postal Restrictions

Lebanon’s postal and logistics landscape in 2025 poses significant challenges for international retailers. Although LibanPost has resumed operations following a series of Emergency Information System alerts in late 2024, mail volumes have plummeted:

• A 40% drop in parcels sent to Lebanon between 2022 and 2024
• A 68% reduction in registered mail during the same period

Why?

Several issues are at play: tightened import restrictions, excessive shipping costs (which don’t reflect the range of postal products offered), and partial service suspensions from certain UPU member countries.

Best practices for sellers:

• Always check the list of restricted or prohibited goods for Lebanon.
• Use fully trackable services with international delivery confirmation.
• Stay informed: LibanPost is actively urging postal partners to reinstate ordinary, registered and parcel-post services.

Italy: Operations Normalised After March IT Disruption

Between 22 March and 11 April 2025, Poste Italiane faced severe IT issues that caused processing delays for all non-EU parcels. The backlog was significant and caused knock-on effects across Europe-bound mail.

The good news: operations are now back to normal, and backlog clearance is underway, with full recovery expected by the end of April.

Key takeaways for shippers:

• Double-check delivery time estimates for parcels sent during that window.
• If you ship frequently to Italy, monitor Poste Italiane service updates for continued transparency.

China: Tariffs, Suspended Services, and Global Ripple Effects

The situation with China is broader and more complex – and perhaps the most impactful for global sellers. Following the new U.S. executive orders ending de minimis exemptions for most Chinese-origin goods:

• Shipments to the U.S. from China now face 145% tariffs, even under $800 in value
• Hongkong Post has suspended outbound mail containing goods to the U.S. from 27 April 2025
• A rise in blank sailings (cancelled ocean freight routes) is disrupting East–West supply chains

These developments are triggering wider logistical consequences, from ocean freight to domestic trucking, especially at U.S. entry points like the Port of Los Angeles.

For e-commerce sellers using Chinese sourcing:

• Re-evaluate your supply chain strategy – diversification is now more urgent than ever.
• Factor in longer delivery times and higher shipping costs, especially for small packets and untracked mail.
• Watch out for price changes: Temu and Shein have already announced pricing adjustments due to rising tariffs.

At MyDutyCollect, we support businesses in navigating these complex regulations by offering automated customs clearance, precise duty and tax calculation, and compliance solutions. As trade regulations evolve, having the right tools in place can make all the difference.

Get in touch with us to find out how we can assist your cross-border operations. Subscribe to our blog and visit our website and Linkedin page for more updates. You can also contact us by sending a message to info@mydutycollect.com. We’d be delighted to hear from you.