DHL Pauses Most Global Parcel Shipments to US Ahead of De Minimis Closure Amid Customs Uncertainty

DHL and other logistics companies have temporarily suspended most global parcel shipments to the US ahead of the de minimis closure on August 29. The suspension affects all postal and parcel service providers worldwide. DHL's move went into effect on Friday, following announcements from other European companies. The Trump administration's changes affect international shipments worth $800 and under, which were previously tax-free.

July 02, 2025

In response to the impending closure of the de minimis provision by the Trump administration, several global logistics companies have temporarily suspended most parcel shipments to the United States. The suspension affects all postal and parcel service providers worldwide, with DHL Group and DHL Parcel Germany being among the first to implement the halt. The move follows announcements from other European companies, including Royal Mail, Posten Bring, PostNord, Bpost, and Austrian Post, all of which have paused U.S.-bound parcel shipments ahead of the August 29 deadline [1].

The de minimis provision, which allowed international shipments worth $800 and under to enter the U.S. tax-free, is set to be closed. This change will impact a significant volume of parcels, with over 4 million packages flowing through the U.S. daily driven by e-commerce [2]. The Trump administration's executive order has led to widespread confusion among logistics companies regarding the new processes required for customs clearance, particularly the collection of duties and the transmission of required data to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) [1].

DHL has stated that it will continue to accept and transport business customer parcels via its postal network, but only for packages valued at up to $100 and declared as gifts, as well as documents. The company's Express service remains available. Key unresolved questions include how customs duties will be collected, what additional data will be required, and how this data will be transmitted to the CBP [1].

The suspension of shipments is not limited to DHL. Other major postal services such as Korea Post, Singapore's SingPost, and Japan Post have also announced halts to their U.S.-bound parcel services, citing regulatory uncertainty and a lack of clarity from U.S. authorities. The Czech Republic and Austria have also paused their US-bound parcels, while Belgium's Bpost and the UK's Royal Mail are implementing revised systems to handle the newly imposed duties [2].

The suspension of shipments highlights the potential impact of the de minimis closure on global trade and the e-commerce sector. The Trump administration's changes are expected to increase tariffs and compliance costs for international mail carriers, potentially leading to higher prices for consumers. Additionally, the closure of the de minimis provision may lead to a shift in trade patterns, with more low-value goods being directed to other markets, such as the UK and EU [1].

As the deadline approaches, logistics companies and postal services are working to find viable solutions to resume their services to the U.S. The CBP has offered some guidance, including certifying two companies to collect and pay duties on behalf of international mail carriers. However, the guidance is still limited, and many companies remain concerned about the potential ripple effect of the de minimis closure on global shipping [2].

In conclusion, the temporary suspension of global parcel shipments to the U.S. is a direct response to the impending closure of the de minimis provision. The move highlights the significant impact of the change on international trade and the challenges faced by logistics companies in complying with the new regulations. As the deadline approaches, it is essential to monitor the situation closely to understand the long-term effects on global shipping and the e-commerce sector.

References:
[1] https://sourcingjournal.com/topics/logistics/dhl-pauses-parcel-postal-shipments-us-de-minimis-provision-duty-free-customs-royal-mail-uk-etsy-1234761665/
[2] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-21/global-mail-services-halt-us-deliveries-ahead-of-de-minimis-end