DHL Express has decided to put a temporary hold on deliveries to the United States for anything valued over $800, citing a "significant increase" in customs regulations linked to the new tariff policies set by the Trump administration. This halt, effective immediately, affects shipments from all countries destined for American consumers, but business-to-business deliveries will still occur, albeit with potential delays.
Previously, packages worth up to $2,500 could be sent to the US with minimal customs formalities. However, due to stricter checks enforced under the recent tariff regime, that threshold has been significantly reduced, prompting a spike in formal customs clearances that DHL is currently handling around the clock.
Although DHL will continue to deliver packages under $800, which can bypass many regulations, American consumers could soon face more price hikes. The White House plans to crack down on shipments valued under $800—primarily from China and Hong Kong—starting on May 2, closing loopholes that allow low-cost packages to enter duty-free.
Fashion retailers like Shein and Temu, which rely heavily on low-value imports, have announced that rising costs due to these changes will lead to higher prices for consumers in the US. As the Trump administration aims to combat issues linked to synthetic opioid trafficking, the measures have sparked controversy, drawing criticism from China, which claims that the opioid crisis is a domestic issue for the US. In an echo of these developments, Hongkong Post also declared a halt to US-bound shipments, labeling US tariff practices as unreasonable and bullying.
Previously, packages worth up to $2,500 could be sent to the US with minimal customs formalities. However, due to stricter checks enforced under the recent tariff regime, that threshold has been significantly reduced, prompting a spike in formal customs clearances that DHL is currently handling around the clock.
Although DHL will continue to deliver packages under $800, which can bypass many regulations, American consumers could soon face more price hikes. The White House plans to crack down on shipments valued under $800—primarily from China and Hong Kong—starting on May 2, closing loopholes that allow low-cost packages to enter duty-free.
Fashion retailers like Shein and Temu, which rely heavily on low-value imports, have announced that rising costs due to these changes will lead to higher prices for consumers in the US. As the Trump administration aims to combat issues linked to synthetic opioid trafficking, the measures have sparked controversy, drawing criticism from China, which claims that the opioid crisis is a domestic issue for the US. In an echo of these developments, Hongkong Post also declared a halt to US-bound shipments, labeling US tariff practices as unreasonable and bullying.
