Published on: April 21, 2025 / update from: April 21, 2025 - Author: Konrad Wolfenstein
Not for B2B! DHLS suspension of package shipping in the USA: Effects of the new US tariff limit of $ 800-Xpert.digital
DHL stops US private shipping for expensive goods: these are the reasons
DHL package stop from $ 800-effects of the new US customs laws
The Deutsche Post subsidiary DHL announced on April 20, 2025 that from April 21, 2025, it will temporarily no parcels with a value of over $ 800 to private customers in the United States. This decision was made as a direct reaction to new US customs regulations and only affects the private customer area, while B2B shipping (business-to-business) remains without restriction. The measure of DHL illustrates the direct logistical challenges that can arise from changing trade regulations.
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Background and details of the new regulation
The suspension of the package shipping is a reaction to a significant change in the US customs regulations. Since April 5, 2025, all programs with a declared value of more than $ 800 have had to go through a formal customs removal process. This represents a significant tightening, since the previous limit was $ 2,500. This reduction in the value limit means that significantly more programs have to be subjected to a complex and time -consuming customs clearance.
DHL justifies the decision with the significantly increased workload through the new regulations, which must first be mastered. The company states that the internal capacities for processing the new volume must still be adapted to customs -liable programs. According to DHL, the delays from the processing should be several days and initially stop for all programs of this kind.
Time frame and range
The new regulation comes into force on April 21, 2025 and applies until further notice. DHL expressly describes the measure as “temporary”, but does not state any concrete conditions or a time frame for the resumption of regular shipping of higher-quality goods to US private customers. The restriction concerns shipments from all over the world to the USA, not only from Germany.
Different effects on private and business customers
The new regulation creates a clear separation between different customer groups:
Private customers (B2C business)
For private customers (B2C-Business-to-Consumer), the change means that for the time being you can not send or receive any goods more via DHL to the USA with a value of over $ 800 (around 700 euros). High -quality consumer goods such as electronics, luxury goods or collector's items are particularly affected.
Business customers (B2B business)
The restriction does not apply to companies that deliver to other companies in the USA (B2B-business-to-business). Business customers can continue to send shipments with values of over $ 800. However, you also have to adapt to delays in the delivery of several days, since the customs processing generally takes longer.
Shipments below the value limit
Goods below $ 800 can continue to be sent to the USA without restrictions via DHL-both from private customers and companies. However, delays in delivery are also to be expected here.
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Political and economic context
The change in the US customs regulations is partly seen in connection with the trade policy of US President Donald Trump. Some sources indicate that the reduction in the value limit could be part of a wider protectionist strategy.
These measures have already led to reactions from other postal services. For example, the Hong Kong Post recently fully stopped sending goods to the USA. In an explanation, the Hong Kong Post justified this step with “exorbitant and inappropriate fees”, which would be caused by the measures of the United States that are “inappropriate and tyrannically perceived”.
There are also indications of a wider trade conflict between the United States and China, which contains the supply chains. Numerous companies, including discount brands such as Shein and Temu as well as luxury providers such as Hermès and some automobile manufacturers, apparently plan price increases in response to the tightened customs regulations.
Complexity of the US import process
An important factor in the decision of DHL is the complexity of the formal import process in the USA. This requires a variety of documents, including trading calculations, packing lists, evidence of origin and customs tariff numbers. In some cases, special licenses must also be detected.
The review of this information is time -consuming, which can lead to considerable delays. Many companies commission specialized service providers for this process, which is associated with additional costs. For DHL, the handling of all programs over $ 800 would mean considerable additional effort according to the formal procedure, which could economically justify the temporary suspension of shipping.
Global logistics in change: DHL stops shipping of high quality goods to the USA
The decision of DHL to suspend the shipping of higher -quality goods to private customers to the United States illustrates the immediate practical effects of changed trade regulations on global logistics. While the measure is called temporarily, it remains unclear when and under what conditions the regular shipping can be resumed.
For the time being, for private individuals, this means a significant restriction in international trade in higher -quality goods. Companies still have the option of sending more expensive goods to the United States, but must expect longer processing times.
The reaction of other postal services such as the Hong Kong Post shows that the change in the US customs regulations not only affects DHL, but could have potentially far-reaching effects on international trade. It remains to be seen whether other logistics companies will take similar measures and how the situation develops in the long term.
DHL has announced that it will keep its customers up to date on the further development of the situation. Adjustment of internal capacity for customs processing could enable regular shipping in the medium term.
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