Unlock Editor’s Digest Lock for Free
FT editor Roula Khalaf will select your favorite stories in this weekly newsletter.
Logistics Group DHL is suspending delivery of parcels to the US starting Monday as it struggles to address additional costs and documents from the new customs regulations.
Starting April 5, US Customs and Border Protection requires more than $800 to enter the country to undergo stricter customs checks and enter the country to attach additional documents.
DHL said it is working to improve its clearance capabilities, but considering the “significant” changes, consumer parcels from businesses worth $800 or more from anywhere in the world could face delays of several days. There is no expectation of changes in shipping between businesses, but delays may occur.
“From Monday, April 21, 2025, to maintain DHL Express’s high quality service commitment to its customers, until further notice, DHL Express will temporarily suspend (business-to-business) shipments to US individuals whose declared value exceeds $800,” the company said in a statement.
Germany’s DHL was the first major commercial logistics company to take action as a result of new US tariffs, many of which came into effect on April 5th.
“It could be a sign that the global trading system is beginning to break down,” said John Manners Bell, CEO of consultant TI Insight.
“This can be a major trend as postal offices and commercial carriers struggle to deal with the weight of tariffs and bureaucratic burdens,” he said. “The change will have real significance to the international e-commerce industry, affecting millions of plots flowing to US importers every day, and inevitably raise the costs for US consumers.”
The DHL decision, first reported by the Sunday Times, will halt the adoption of airborne packages this week, following an announcement by the state-run Hongkong Post, starting April 27th as a result of new US requirements. The company accused the United States of “abusively imposing bullying and tariffs.”
Manners Bell said: “The tariff and trade processes involved in the customs clearance process will wreaking havoc in supply chain strategies, which inevitably lead to additional costs and shortfalls for American businesses and consumers.”
The trade war between the two biggest economies intensifies, with US President Donald Trump leviing with a total of 145% tariffs on China and 125% tariffs on the US.
DHL is one of the world’s largest courier companies, offering 1.5 billion parcels per year. It employs nearly 600,000 people and operates in 220 countries. Last year, its sales exceeded 84 billion euros.
