Headlines
Germany's DHL joins peers in restricting US-bound parcel services
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on August 22, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Quick Summary
DHL halts standard parcel shipments to the US due to new customs regulations, affecting business services but not DHL Express. Private shipments under $100 are still allowed.
DHL Suspends Standard Parcel Shipments to the U.S. Amid New Regulations
DHL's Suspension of U.S. Parcel Services
DUSSELDORF, Germany (Reuters) -German postal services group DHL said on Friday it would suspend the shipment of standard parcels for businesses to the United States, in line with similar moves by European peers deterred by looming U.S. customs duties for low-value packages.
U.S. President Donald Trump's administration said last month it would suspend the global "de minimis" exemption, which also allows minimal paperwork, for international shipments under $800, effective August 29.
Earlier this week, postal groups in Scandinavia, Austria and Belgium said they would pause parcel shipments to the United States.
Reasons for the Suspension
"The reason for these likely temporary restrictions is new processes required by U.S. authorities for postal shipping," DHL said.
Impact on Customers and Services
August 25 would be the last day it takes consignments, but premium delivery service DHL Express would not be affected by the suspension, the company added.
International Reactions
It said private customers could continue to send gifts worth less than $100 to the United States as a standard parcel but these shipments would be subject to even stricter controls to prevent misuse.
(Reporting by Tom Kaeckenhoff, Writing by Ludwig Burger, Editing by Rachel More)
Key Takeaways
- •DHL suspends standard parcel shipments to the US.
- •New US customs duties prompt the suspension.
- •DHL Express services remain unaffected.
- •Private shipments under $100 still allowed.
- •Similar actions taken by other European postal services.
Frequently Asked Questions about Germany's DHL joins peers in restricting US-bound parcel services
1What is a parcel shipment?
A parcel shipment refers to the process of sending packages or goods from one location to another, often involving postal or courier services.
2What are customs duties?
Customs duties are taxes imposed on goods when they are transported across international borders, typically based on the value of the goods.
3What is the de minimis exemption?
The de minimis exemption allows certain low-value goods to be imported without incurring customs duties or taxes, simplifying the import process.
4What is DHL Express?
DHL Express is a premium delivery service offered by DHL, providing fast and reliable international shipping options for urgent shipments.
5What are low-value packages?
Low-value packages are items shipped internationally that fall below a certain monetary threshold, often exempt from higher customs duties.
