• DHL suspends deliveries of packages valued over $800 to US consumers.
• The decision is due to new customs rules implemented under the Trump administration.
• The threshold for formal customs entry has been lowered, increasing delays.
• Business-to-business shipments over $800 will continue but may also face delays.
• Hong Kong e-commerce and US consumers are expected to be significantly affected.

DHL has announced a temporary suspension of its deliveries to individuals in the United States for packages valued over $800, citing the implementation of stricter US customs regulations. This shift took effect on April 21, following a revision that lowered the threshold for formal customs processing from $2,500 to $800, leading to increased scrutiny of international shipments and significant delays, according to NPR and Business Insider.

This change is part of broader tariff measures introduced by the Trump administration aimed at adjusting trade balances, particularly with countries like China and Hong Kong. The administration's decision to end the "de minimis" exemption, which previously allowed low-value goods to enter the US without strict scrutiny, exacerbates the situation, impacting e-commerce businesses heavily reliant on such shipments SCMP and AA.

As a result, DHL has stated that shipments below the $800 mark will continue as normal, yet the increase in formal entry requirements has led to significant processing delays for all types of packages. Furthermore, while business-to-business shipments over $800 are not suspended, they will also face potential delays as customs processes ramp up India Times and Newsweek.

Industry analysts have predicted that the most significant impacts will be felt by Hong Kong e-commerce businesses and American consumers. The expected backlog of packages could lead to increased prices for consumers, especially as retailers like Shein and Temu plan to raise their prices due to the revised tariffs SCMP and India Times.