US Tariffs Halt Belize Shipments, Small Businesses Hit Hard

Small businesses across Belize are reeling after learning that shipments to the United States have been suspended by the Belize Postal Service. The change comes as a result of new U.S. trade tariffs, which now require duties to be paid on all goods from the very first dollar. Many entrepreneurs say this will not only raise costs but also make it harder to reach their overseas customers. We spoke with Andrea Rodriguez from Kuchriments, and she told us how this is going to create an impact on her business.

 

Andrea Rodriguez, Business Owner

“So I think it will be more of a hindrance to them they might reconsider purchasing products here in Belize because of the cost because now the post already went up earlier this year and that was already at a disadvantage for us because now when I used to tell a customer oh you could buy the creole dictionary and the creole dictionary retail is forty five dollars and it cost fifty dollars to send it you know so the math no di math it’s not adding up at all so people won’t purchase anymore because it just doesn’t make sense so on top of the new rate and having to pay upfront the duties and all of the different things we don’t even know what does rates will be what the percentage will be yeah I think it’s devastating.”

 

Tanya Arceo

“Before the suspension was the Belize Postal service for your business and shipping products to customers in the US?”

 

Andrea Rodriguez

“It was the most efficient and most affordable option not only for my self but for many small businesses me I would run into so many people running stuff abroad, so it was like the lifeline to me and my customers in the US and abroad in different countries.”