DHL Stops $800+ US Shipments: Tariffs Spark Chaos
DHL Halts Global Shipments Over $800 to the US Amid New Tariff Rules and Customs Delays
Effective Monday, April 21, 2025, DHL Express will no longer accept overseas shipments to the US that total more than $800. This move is a reaction to the increasing customs delays and logistical difficulties brought on by new trade and tariff policies implemented by the U.S. government under former President Donald Trump. DHL claims that the change impacts shipments to American customers from businesses worldwide. Business-to-business (B2B) supplies will still be handled, albeit they might also experience delays as a result of the heightened customs examination.
Packages up to $2,500 could previously be transported to the United States with little documentation. But this barrier has been dropped to $800 by the recently updated customs system, requiring more stringent clearance processes. DHL stressed that its operations are under tremendous strain due to the sharp increase in the number of official customs clearances.
“We are working around the clock to handle the increase, but shipments worth more than $800, regardless of origin, may now face multi-day delays,” the company stated.
For the time being, shipments under $800 will still be approved and delivered with few checks. However, when the U.S. government intends to shut the “de minimis” loophole on May 2, 2025, more limitations are anticipated. Low-value parcels, especially those from China and Hong Kong, have been able to enter duty-free thanks to this loophole.
Businesses that mainly depend on this regulation, such as Temu and Shein, have already alerted customers to impending price rises brought on by shifting dynamics in international trade. The White House said that some Chinese companies’ dishonest shipping methods aid in the flow of synthetic opioids into the United States, citing national security concerns as justification for policy changes. The U.S. has been criticized for its “unreasonable and abusive” tariffs, while Beijing has retaliated, claiming that the fentanyl crisis is a local matter.
The fallout is already being felt internationally. Hongkong Post has also suspended U.S.-bound sea freight, with plans to halt all American-bound parcel services from April 27, 2025.
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Source: BBC News
