FedEx diverts Huawei packages to US “in error”

FedEx has found itself amidst escalating international tensions after diverting Huawei parcels to the US.

Chinese technology giant Huawei claimed that two parcels that were being sent from Japan to Huawei offices China were diverted, while two more diversions were attempted for parcels sent from Vietnam to another Huawei address.

The incident followed the United States' decision to add Huawei to a trade blacklist, based on security concerns over the tech company’s possible affiliation with the Chinese government and the supposed risks of widespread use of Huawei technology.

FedEx told Reuters that the parcels were “misrouted in error” and that no third parties, including the US government, had instructed them to do so.

According to the Wall Street Journal, however, the error was a result of changes to internal protocol as a result of the Trump administration’s ban.

Huawei stated that it was reviewing their relationship with FedEx and that it was reporting the incident to China’s postal regulator.

FedEx China has since apologised on social media and pledged their co-operation with any investigation.

In a service update, UPS has also announced that packages might be held or returned if sent to Huawei offices or to any one of 68 non-US affiliates that have been listed by the US Department of Commerce.

Source: Reuters, The Wall Street Journal