Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Apr 20: The latest blow from the Trump administration’s revised tariff regime has reached the world of global logistics, with DHL Express suspending all high-value shipments—those over $800—to the United States. The move comes in response to a surge in customs paperwork and tighter inspections triggered by recent policy shifts.
According to the BBC, the international courier giant has announced a temporary halt on such deliveries beginning Monday, citing a "significant increase in red tape" at US customs. The restriction applies to all countries, and affects packages sent from businesses to individual American consumers.
"Shipments worth over $800, regardless of origin, may experience multi-day delays," DHL said, adding that it is working “around the clock” to manage the spike in formal customs clearances.
Business Shipments Still Moving — For Now
While business-to-business (B2B) shipments will continue, DHL warned that even these may face delays, as customs officers are bogged down by the volume of documentation and new compliance rules under the updated regime.
Previously, goods worth up to $2,500 could be imported into the US with minimal hassle. However, under the new policy—which briefly came into effect in early April before being paused—the threshold has been slashed to $800, creating bottlenecks for courier services.
Trouble Ahead for Low-Value Parcels Too
Even lower-value packages—those under $800—aren’t out of the woods. Starting May 2, the US will tighten restrictions on packages from China and Hong Kong, closing a long-standing "de minimis" loophole that allowed such parcels to skip import duties and thorough inspections.
The Trump administration cited national security and public health concerns, alleging that illicit substances and counterfeit items often enter the country via deceptive low-value shipments from abroad.
In a statement, the White House said the new enforcement is aimed at "addressing the synthetic opioid supply chain," which it blamed for exacerbating the ongoing opioid crisis in the US.
Hong Kong’s Response
Reacting swiftly to the escalating logistics standoff, Hongkong Post announced it would suspend sea mail to the US and will cease accepting all parcels to the US from April 27. The decision underlines the global ripple effect of Washington's increasingly protectionist stance.
What’s Next?
As the courier and e-commerce industries scramble to adjust, the ripple effects are expected to impact everything from cross-border online shopping to small exporters in Asia and Europe who rely heavily on access to the American market.
For now, DHL's freeze on high-value consumer shipments stands as a symbolic and practical pause—one that signals deeper disruptions if tariff disputes and trade bureaucracy continue to escalate.