DHL Express has announced a temporary suspension of all consumer parcel deliveries to the United States valued at more than $800, effective Monday, blaming a “significant increase” in customs formalities triggered by the Trump administration’s recent tariff measures.
Under previous US customs rules, packages worth up to $2,500 could enter the country with minimal paperwork. However, following the introduction of reciprocal tariffs earlier this month, the de minimis threshold has been slashed to $800, prompting a flood of formal customs clearances. DHL says it is processing these extra checks around the clock but anticipates “multi‑day delays” for any shipment above the new $800 limit.
Business‑to‑business consignments remain unaffected, though they too may incur longer clearance times. Parcels valued below $800 will continue to move freely under the reduced‑threshold regime.
The suspension precedes the White House’s planned removal of the de minimis exemption on 2 May for goods sent from China and Hong Kong. That change is aimed at stemming illicit opioid imports particularly fentanyl precursors but will also force online retailers such as Shein and Temu to levy US customs duties on low‑value orders. Both companies have warned they will raise prices in response to the new tariffs and tighter trade rules.
DHL’s move underscores the logistical challenges created by the evolving US trade policy. Earlier this month, Hongkong Post similarly halted US‑bound sea freight shipments and suspended parcel acceptance for America after denouncing the US measures as “unreasonable, bullying and imposing tariffs abusively.”
