DHL Express has suspended all deliveries to the US valued over $800 due to a sharp increase in customs red tape following new tariff regulations introduced by former President Donald Trump.
- The suspension applies to business-to-consumer (B2C) shipments globally, with the change taking effect Monday and lasting “until further notice,” according to DHL.
- Business-to-business (B2B) shipments will still be allowed, though DHL warns that they may also experience delays due to the new customs procedures.
- The previous threshold for simplified customs clearance was $2,500, but new rules have significantly lowered it, causing a backlog of paperwork and shipment delays.
- DHL says the policy change has created a surge in formal customs clearances, which is straining processing capabilities despite efforts to ramp up operations.
- Packages under $800 can still be shipped with minimal inspection, but this may change soon as further restrictions are expected.
- Starting May 2, the White House plans to eliminate the “de minimis” loophole, targeting low-value shipments—especially from China and Hong Kong—that currently enter duty-free.
- Retail giants Shein and Temu have warned of price hikes in response to the rule changes and new tariffs, which will impact their low-cost, direct-to-consumer shipping models.
- The Trump administration says the crackdown is part of efforts to combat synthetic opioid smuggling, accusing some Chinese exporters of using deceptive shipping methods to hide illicit goods.
- Beijing has condemned the US policy as “unreasonable and abusive”, while Hongkong Post has already halted sea shipments and will stop accepting US-bound parcels altogether by April 27.