Global courier firm DHL Express has announced a temporary suspension of all business-to-consumer shipments worth more than US$800 addressed to individuals in the US, including from Hong Kong, after recent changes in customs rules caused prolonged delays.
The company, which included the adjustment in a list of temporary changes to its services in an email sent to customers on Saturday, said the disruptions were the result of recent changes in US customs regulations and targeted shipments with a declared customs value exceeding US$800.
DHL Express said business-to-consumer shipments with a declared value of more than US$800 addressed to private individuals in the US would be suspended from Monday “until further notice”.
Business-to-business shipments to US companies with a declarable value above US$800 would not be suspended, although they might also face delays, the email said.
“The president of the United States has issued several executive orders imposing additional tariffs on all countries and eliminating ‘de minimis’ treatment for all products with a country of origin of China, Hong Kong and Macau,” a letter from the company stated.
Additionally, shipments from all countries with a value exceeding US$800 would require formal entry processing into the US, and previous regulations allowing shipments valued between US$800 and US$2,500 cleared through a more streamlined “informal entry” process would be cancelled.
