DHL Express has announced a temporary halt on all US deliveries exceeding $800 (£603) due to heightened customs regulations introduced under former President Donald Trump’s new tariff policies. The delivery service reported that these changes, which came into effect just earlier this month, have created a substantial increase in formal customs clearances. The new threshold marks a significant decrease from the previous $2,500 limit, requiring more extensive documentation for packages.
The company's decision, effective from Monday, encompasses shipments from all countries to American consumers, and they have indicated that service will remain uninterrupted for business-to-business deliveries, albeit with potential delays. As DHL works to adapt to the surge in customs processing, it has warned that parcels exceeding $800 could face multi-day delays at the border.
Meanwhile, deliveries valued below $800 will continue, as these items can move through customs with fewer requirements. However, the Biden administration is preparing to impose stricter regulations on low-value shipments from China and Hong Kong, set to take effect on May 2. This new policy targets the loophole allowing such packages to enter the US without incurring duties, likely raising prices for consumers on platforms like Shein and Temu, who have both announced forthcoming price increases due to these, and other tariff-related changes.
The Trump administration has defended these tariffs as essential to combat illicit drug trafficking, with an executive order aimed specifically at the synthetic opioid crisis in the country. However, reactions from China indicate frustration, with Hongkong Post also seizing deliveries destined for the US by sea as they labeled the US stance as unreasonable.
The company's decision, effective from Monday, encompasses shipments from all countries to American consumers, and they have indicated that service will remain uninterrupted for business-to-business deliveries, albeit with potential delays. As DHL works to adapt to the surge in customs processing, it has warned that parcels exceeding $800 could face multi-day delays at the border.
Meanwhile, deliveries valued below $800 will continue, as these items can move through customs with fewer requirements. However, the Biden administration is preparing to impose stricter regulations on low-value shipments from China and Hong Kong, set to take effect on May 2. This new policy targets the loophole allowing such packages to enter the US without incurring duties, likely raising prices for consumers on platforms like Shein and Temu, who have both announced forthcoming price increases due to these, and other tariff-related changes.
The Trump administration has defended these tariffs as essential to combat illicit drug trafficking, with an executive order aimed specifically at the synthetic opioid crisis in the country. However, reactions from China indicate frustration, with Hongkong Post also seizing deliveries destined for the US by sea as they labeled the US stance as unreasonable.
