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DHL Express Temporarily Halts Some US Deliveries Amidst Customs Overhaul
International shipping giant DHL Express is pausing deliveries to the United States for shipments valued over $800 (£603), citing a “significant increase” in bureaucratic procedures at customs. This disruption follows the implementation of new tariff policies by the US government, leading to stricter import regulations.
Shipment Suspension Details
The logistics corporation announced it will briefly cease shipments from businesses across all nations destined for American consumers, effective Monday and continuing “until further notice.”
Business-to-business deliveries will proceed; however, DHL cautioned that these shipments “may also encounter delays.”
Heightened Customs Scrutiny
Previously, parcels with a value of up to $2,500 could enter the US with minimal documentation. Recent adjustments to customs protocols, coinciding with the introduction of tariffs earlier this month, have significantly reduced this threshold, leading to increased scrutiny.
According to DHL, this policy shift “has triggered a surge in formal customs clearances” which the company is addressing continuously.
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While DHL is actively working to “expand operations and manage this surge,” it warned that all shipments exceeding $800 in value, irrespective of origin, “may experience delays spanning multiple days.”
Deliveries of packages valued under $800 will continue, as these are subject to less stringent customs checks.
Upcoming Policy Changes and Industry Impact
The US administration is preparing to further tighten regulations on deliveries under $800, particularly targeting those originating from China and Hong Kong. A loophole that currently exempts low-value packages from duties is scheduled to close on May 2nd.
De Minimis Rule and Fast Fashion
The elimination of this “de minimis” rule is expected to affect businesses like fast-fashion retailer Shein and budget e-commerce platform Temu.
Both Shein and Temu have indicated that price increases are anticipated “due to recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs.”
US Government Justification
The US government maintains that “numerous shippers” in China are engaged in “deceptive shipping practices” to “conceal illicit substances and disguise the actual contents of shipments” entering the US.
An executive order from the White House outlined that these measures are designed to “address the synthetic opioid supply chain,” which it identified as playing “a significant role in the synthetic opioid crisis within the US.”
International Perspectives
The government in Beijing has characterized the opioid fentanyl issue as a “US problem,” asserting that China has implemented some of the most stringent drug policies globally.
Last week, Hongkong Post announced the suspension of sea shipments to the US and will cease accepting all parcels destined for the US starting April 27th.
Hongkong Post stated: “The US is being unreasonable, acting in a bullying manner, and imposing tariffs abusively.”