An approaching US deadline to end tariff exemptions on small parcels has tripped up global deliveries to the world's biggest economy, with businesses halting shipments to American consumers and mulling price hikes.

Come Friday, US President Donald Trump's administration is abolishing a rule that allows packages valued at $800 or below to enter the country duty-free.

But the monthlong lead time he provided to implement the change has sparked a frenzy.

Postal services, including in France, Britain, Germany, Italy, India, Australia and Japan, have announced that most US-bound packages would no longer be accepted.

The United Nations' Universal Postal Union noted that 25 member countries' postal operators have suspended outbound postal services to the country.

UK retailer Liz Nieburg, for

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