- DHL Express temporarily suspended global shipments to American customers. The multinational shipping company did not say how long this measure would last.
- New U.S. Customs rules require formal entry processing for all shipments valued at more than $800.
- This comes as a trade dispute between China and the United States continues.
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Shipping company DHL Express suspended all global shipments of more than $800 to American customers effective Monday, April 21. This is because of changes in U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulations.
While the measure is temporary, DHL Express did not disclose how long the pause will last. It said it would update customers as the situation evolves.
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Why is DHL suspending these shipments?
The multinational company’s announcement came in response to recently implemented U.S. Customs rules requiring formal entry processing for all shipments valued at more than $800.
The Trump administration announced this on April 5. Before the change, the minimum for shipments was $2,500.
DHL said in a statement business-to-business shipments will continue but may face delays. The company said shipments to businesses or customers worth less than $800 will not be affected.
As Straight Arrow News reported, the Trump administration closed a loophole with new tariffs dubbed the “de minimis” exemption.
The loophole lets Chinese retailers like Shein and Temu ship packages worth less than $800 to maintain low prices for consumers. More than 1 billion packages used this exemption in 2024, doubling figures from 2022, according to U.S. officials.
President Donald Trump is set to impose a 90% tariff rate on these shipments, triple his initial rate of 30%.
In April, Trump signed an executive order aimed at cracking down on what the White House described as deceptive shipping methods employed by Beijing. The Trump administration accused China of exploiting the de minimis loophole to import synthetic opioids into the U.S.
Starting on May 2, shipments from China will be subject to duties on items valued at or under $800.
US, China still in trade dispute
DHL’s move comes as the U.S. and China remain in a trade dispute. The Trump administration imposed tariffs of up to 245% on Chinese imports.
China imposed hefty reciprocal tariffs in response to what it calls “bullying” from the U.S.
Economists warned the ongoing trade war between the world’s two largest economies could lead to global disruption for customers and increase the risk of a recession in the U.S.
