Shipping carriers are instituting new international inbound fees and, in one case, terminating package delivery to US consumers. The firms cite delays in getting packages through US Customs, which processes and collects tariffs that are undergoing frequent changes by the current administration.
DHL announced last week that as of Monday, April 21st, it would stop shipping B2C shipments to private individuals in the US where the declared customs value exceeded $800. Shipments to US companies are not affected, though they may face delays. (DHL will continue to deliver all packages with a declarable customs value below $800 to businesses and consumers.)
DHL said a change in customs rules disrupted its operations and caused “multi-day transit delays to the US from any origin,” explaining:
“Effective April 5, 2025, all shipments to the U.S. with a declared customs value over USD 800 require formal entry processing – down from the previous USD 2,500 threshold due to new U.S. Customs regulations. This change has caused a surge in formal customs clearances, which we are handling around the clock.”
DHL called the suspension “a temporary measure” and said it would “share updates as the situation evolves.”
Meanwhile, UPS and FedEx introduced new fees in April. FedEx “U.S. Import Demand Surcharges” are in effect from April 15 through May 2, 2025 and impose a per-pound charge on packages from Hong Kong, China, Philippines, with a minimum charge of $1 per shipment. And UPS added a “surge fee” on packages from China, Hong Kong, and Macau.
Since early February, when the US Postal Service had briefly banned all packages from China and Hong Kong Posts, tariff rules and regulations have been changing frequently. Now, Hong Kong’s postal service will no longer accept packages destined for the US, as we previously reported. The policy is already in effect for items sent surface mail and will go into effect for Airmail service on April 27. Hongkong Post blamed US tariffs and the elimination of the de minimis that allows duty-free shipments into the US on packages under $800.
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