DHL Halts High-Value US Shipments Amid Increased Tariffs

DHL Express has announced the suspension of high-value shipments to the United States, citing increased customs complexity following Donald Trump's recent tariff regulations.

DHL Express has taken the step to suspend deliveries to the United States for packages valued at over $800 (£603). This decision is a direct reaction to "significant increases" in customs red tape that have arisen due to the introduction of a new tariff regime by the Trump administration. Starting Monday, the company will halt shipments from all countries to American consumers until further notice; however, business-to-business shipments will continue albeit with possible delays.

Previously, packages valued up to $2,500 could be delivered to the U.S. with minimal paperwork, but the recent policy changes have lowered this threshold while also intensifying customs checks. DHL explained that the new regulations have resulted in an overwhelming number of formal customs clearances, which they are undertaking around the clock.

For deliveries worth less than $800, DHL stated they will still proceed with shipments as these can be sent with minimal checks. However, a looming decision from the White House set for May 2 will further complicate matters: the administration intends to implement regulations tightening deliveries of low-value packages—especially from China and Hong Kong—by closing a loophole that previously allowed such packages to enter without incurring duties.

This impending regulatory shift may particularly affect fast-fashion companies such as Shein and Temu, both of which have already indicated that increased tariffs would likely result in higher prices for consumers due to the new changes in global trade rules. The Trump administration has justified the stricter policies by claiming that many shippers in China disguise illicit products within suspicious shipments, particularly concerning the synthetic opioid crisis.

In response, Hongkong Post has also announced it will suspend sea shipments to the U.S. and cease accepting parcels bound for the country starting on April 27. The postal service labeled the U.S. approach as "unreasonable" and accused it of bullying in its tariff imposition. As the shipping landscape evolves under these new regulations, consumers may soon witness rising costs for everyday items that fall under these trade measures.