DHL Express, the international logistics arm of Germany’s Deutsche Post, announced it will temporarily suspend business-to-consumer (B2C) shipments exceeding $800 in value to the United States, citing regulatory changes from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that have significantly impacted clearance procedures.
The change will take effect on April 21, 2025, according to a notice published on DHL’s official website. While the post was undated, its metadata indicates it was created on Saturday.
At the center of the disruption is a recent policy shift by U.S. customs authorities. Effective April 5, the U.S. reduced the threshold for informal customs entry from $2,500 to $800, meaning any imported goods valued above $800 now require formal entry procedures—a more time-consuming and documentation-heavy process that often includes customs bonds and additional scrutiny.
DHL cited these new requirements as the key reason behind the suspension, stating that processing delays and increased compliance burdens have made it untenable to continue shipping B2C parcels over the new limit at this time.
The logistics giant clarified that the suspension only applies to consumer shipments, while business-to-business (B2B) shipments will continue as normal, albeit potentially subject to delays caused by the additional processing requirements.
Additionally, shipments of $800 or less, regardless of whether they are destined for individuals or businesses in the U.S., will remain unaffected by the suspension.
“This is a temporary measure while we adapt to the new regulatory framework,” DHL stated, suggesting that services may be reinstated once the company adjusts its internal processes to handle the increased complexity of U.S. customs compliance.
This development comes on the heels of heightened trade enforcement actions by the United States, which have sparked global responses. Just last week, Hongkong Post announced it was suspending mail services for goods shipped by sea to the U.S., criticizing Washington’s move to end tariff-free trade provisions for small-value packages originating from China and Hong Kong. The agency characterized the U.S. decision as “bullying.”
In response to media inquiries, DHL said it is actively working with customers, especially those in Hong Kong, to navigate the evolving customs landscape, reiterating its commitment to “processing all shipments in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.” The company mentioned that additional changes may be introduced starting May 2, prompting further strategic adjustments.
The suspension is expected to impact global e-commerce retailers and international marketplaces that rely heavily on DHL for last-mile delivery to U.S. customers. Analysts note that businesses shipping high-value goods directly to American consumers may now face logistical bottlenecks, higher costs, and longer delivery times—all of which could affect sales and customer satisfaction.
Industry observers are watching closely to see if other major carriers like FedEx and UPS will adopt similar measures or develop alternative protocols to comply with the revised customs framework.
