DHL Halts High Value US Deliveries As Trade War Bureaucracy Bites

Global logistics powerhouse DHL is set to suspend certain US-bound deliveries from Monday amid mounting pressures from Donald Trump’s trade policies, which have dramatically increased regulatory burdens on exporters.

The German courier giant revealed in a customer communication that it faces significant delays on US shipments due to recent White House policy amendments. The temporary suspension will affect business-to-consumer deliveries valued above £600 ($800), though business-to-business transactions remain operational despite anticipated delays.

At the heart of these disruptions lies a strategic shift in US import regulations implemented by the Trump administration. Since 5 April, goods exceeding £600 entering the US must undergo enhanced customs scrutiny and require additional documentation – a substantial change from the previous £1,875 ($2,500) threshold.

The courier behemoth, which handles 1.5 billion parcels yearly across 220 countries with nearly 600,000 employees, reported sales surpassing £72 billion (€84 billion) last year. Their communication emphasised round-the-clock efforts to manage the surge in formal customs clearances, yet multi-day transit delays persist.

Industry experts suggest the luxury fashion sector stands to bear the brunt of this suspension. Louis Kurlander, director of London-based Freight Brokers, described a weekend of chaos as businesses scrambled to secure alternative shipping arrangements through competitors like FedEx and UPS.

The ramifications extend beyond DHL’s immediate operational changes. The Trump administration’s planned elimination of the “de minimis” rule for Chinese goods under £600 threatens to reshape the competitive landscape for fast-fashion retailers like Shein and Temu, who have historically benefited from duty exemptions.