The impact of new U.S. customs rules on global shipping is growing, and DHL is making a major change. The international delivery giant will no longer ship packages over $800 to American consumers. This decision follows recent customs policy changes and rising tariffs introduced by the U.S. government.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration imposed 10% tariffs on a range of imported goods. These changes triggered stricter inspections by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). DHL stated that these inspections have caused major delays for packages exceeding $800.
As a result, the company has paused all consumer shipments above that threshold. “We are working around the clock to manage the backlog,” DHL said in a public statement. “However, delays are likely for high-value packages.”
The impact of new U.S. customs rules on global shipping is especially evident in the surge of formal customs clearances. Formal entry now requires extra documentation and filing a customs bond. In contrast, informal entry allows CBP to handle the paperwork. DHL said this shift in processing has overwhelmed its capacity.
DHL confirmed that business-to-business shipments over $800 will continue. Still, these packages may also experience multi-day delays. The rule applies to all countries shipping goods to the U.S., regardless of origin.
The customs changes align with Trump’s broader trade agenda. He is targeting the de minimis exemption, which lets goods under $800 enter the U.S. with fewer restrictions. This policy shift aims to limit low-cost imports from places like China and Hong Kong.
The exemption ends on May 2 for goods from those regions. E-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu are expected to suffer the most. These platforms rely heavily on low-cost, small-parcel shipments.
A Congressional Research Service report shows how much de minimis entries have grown. In 2015, the U.S. recorded 153 million of these shipments. By 2023, that number exceeded 1 billion. Today, they represent 92% of all incoming cargo, according to CBP.
With customs tightening, the impact of new U.S. customs rules on global shipping may worsen. Companies like DHL must now adjust their strategies to meet these evolving regulatory demands.
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