DHL Express has announced a temporary suspension of international business-to-consumer (B2C) shipments valued over $800 to the United States, effective April 21. This decision responds to recent changes in U.S. customs regulations that have lowered the threshold for simplified import procedures from $2,500 to $800, necessitating formal clearance for higher-value shipments.
The updated regulations, implemented on April 5, have led to increased documentation requirements and processing times, causing significant delays in deliveries. DHL stated that while business-to-business (B2B) shipments will continue, they may also experience delays due to heightened border scrutiny.
Shipments under $800 remain eligible for simplified processing; however, they could be affected by the impending termination of the “de minimis” exemption on May 2. This exemption has allowed low-cost imports to bypass duties and inspections, benefiting companies like Shein and Temu. The rollback is expected to increase costs, particularly for goods from China and Hong Kong.
The Trump administration has justified these changes as necessary for national security, aiming to curb the flow of synthetic opioids by closing loopholes that allowed some shippers to avoid tariffs and customs scrutiny.
In response to the new U.S. policies, Hong Kong’s postal service announced a suspension of U.S.-bound shipments, criticizing the measures as unfair. DHL emphasized that the suspension is temporary and promised future updates as the situation evolves.
Customers are advised to monitor DHL’s official communications for the latest information regarding shipment policies and to plan accordingly for potential delays or changes in shipping procedures.
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