DHL Halts High-Value US Deliveries Amid New Tariffs

DHL Express has temporarily suspended deliveries to the US for packages valued over $800 because of heightened customs procedures that have emerged following new tariff regulations. The company, effective Monday, will continue to process business-to-business shipments, though they may experience delays. The new measures, enacted to combat illicit shipments, particularly target packages from China, while critics argue it affects regular consumers adversely.

DHL Express, the global logistics company, has halted all deliveries to the United States for items exceeding the value of $800 (£603) as a direct consequence of increased customs restrictions stemming from the Trump administration's newly implemented tariff policy. This suspension, taking effect from Monday, reflects the growing complexity and red tape involved in customs clearance processes, an evolution that DHL attributes to a recent escalation of formalities due to the latest tariffs.

Previously, packages valued up to $2,500 could enter the United States with relative ease, but the threshold has now been lowered in response to stricter customs checks introduced earlier this month. DHL acknowledged that managing the surge in customs clearances is demanding, resulting in "multi-day delays" for shipments over the $800 limit irrespective of their country of origin.

However, packages below the $800 value will continue to be processed with minimal checks, offering a lifeline to some consumers. The White House has hinted at further tightening these regulations, particularly targeting low-value shipments from China and Hong Kong, set to commence on May 2. This upcoming shift involves closing a loophole that allowed such parcels to enter the US without bearing any duties.

Retail companies like Shein and Temu have alerted customers that the new tariffs will necessitate price hikes, as compliance with enhanced trade rules and tariffs becomes untenable. Accusations from the Trump administration suggest a significant number of shipments from China may mask illegal goods under deceptive descriptions. In response, Beijing has dismissed these critiques, asserting that opioid issues tied to fentanyl originate in the United States, where they maintain some of the strictest drug regulations globally.

Recent responses from other shipping services, including Hongkong Post, reveal similar concerns, leading it to cease shipment of packages by sea to America and later to pull all postal services headed for the region. Hongkong Post criticized the US, calling its tariff initiatives unreasonable and abusive. As businesses and consumers navigate these tumultuous financial landscapes, the ongoing implications of these tariffs may lead to rising prices for commonplace items in the American market.