DHL Halts Shipments Over $800 to U.S. Consumers as De Minimis Changes for China Take Effect May 2
DHL Express has announced it will suspend all global deliveries of packages valued over $800 to U.S. consumers, citing mounting customs delays and regulatory uncertainty as the United States prepares to end the duty-free de minimis exemption for low-value imports from China and Hong Kong. The new rules, which take effect May 2, 2025, are expected to significantly impact cross-border e-commerce, especially for businesses and shoppers who rely on affordable, direct-to-consumer shipments from Chinese platforms.
What Is Changing on May 2, 2025?
- End of De Minimis for China and Hong Kong:
Starting May 2, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT, the U.S. will eliminate the $800 duty-free de minimisthreshold for goods imported from China and Hong Kong.- Previously, packages valued at $800 or less could enter the U.S. without paying duties.
- Now, all such shipments will be subject to full customs duties and entry procedures.
- New Duties and Postal Fees:
- Non-postal shipments (e.g., via DHL, FedEx, UPS): All covered goods from China and Hong Kong, regardless of value, will be subject to applicable U.S. duties and must be formally entered through customs.
- Postal shipments (via international mail): Packages valued at $800 or less will be subject to a duty of 120% of the item’s value or $100 per item, whichever is higher, starting May 2. This fee increases to $200 per item on June 1, 2025.
Why Is DHL Suspending Shipments Over $800?
DHL’s decision is a direct response to the regulatory changes and the anticipated surge in customs processing times and compliance burdens.
- Increased Paperwork and Delays: All shipments from China and Hong Kong—regardless of value—will now require full customs entry, more paperwork, and longer clearance times.
- E-commerce Disruption: Many global e-commerce sellers, especially those on platforms like Temu and Shein, have relied on the de minimis rule to ship low-value packages to U.S. shoppers without duties. The end of this exemption will raise costs and slow deliveries for millions of parcels.
- Temporary Measure: DHL has not specified when it will resume high-value shipments to U.S. consumers, stating only that the suspension is in place while it adapts to the new customs environment.
Who Is Affected?
- Suspended:
- All business-to-consumer (B2C) shipments to U.S. private individuals with a declared value over $800.
- Not Suspended:
- Shipments valued at $800 or less from countries other than China and Hong Kong (for now).
- Business-to-business (B2B) shipments, though they may also face new compliance requirements and delays.
What Should Businesses and Consumers Do?
- Expect Higher Costs: Duties and fees will now apply to all low-value shipments from China and Hong Kong, raising landed costs for e-commerce orders.
- Prepare for Delays: Customs clearance times are likely to increase as CBP processes more formal entries.
- Monitor Carrier Updates: DHL and other logistics providers may further adjust service offerings as the new rules take effect.
Conclusion
DHL’s suspension of high-value consumer shipments to the U.S. underscores the sweeping impact of the new de minimis policy targeting China and Hong Kong. As of May 2, 2025, U.S. importers and shoppers should brace for higher costs, longer wait times, and a major shift in global e-commerce logistics.
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Sources
- White House Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Closes De Minimis Exemptions to Combat China’s Role in America’s Synthetic Opioid Crisis
- eFulfillment Service: U.S. to Scrap $800 Duty‑Free De Minimis Shipping in 2025
- Metro Global: New Tariffs and the End of De Minimis
- Avalara: How to handle US-China tariffs and the end of de minimis
- Trade Compliance Resource Hub: Trump 2.0 tariff tracker
