Top Lines
- Royal Mail and DHL are pausing certain parcel services to the U.S.
- Moves follow U.S. scrapping of the duty-free “de minimis” exemption.
- E-commerce and low-cost sellers face immediate disruption.
- Companies are working to adapt to new customs rules.
What’s Happening?
Royal Mail and DHL announced temporary halts to specific U.S.-bound parcel services as of August 25. The decision stems from a major shift in U.S. customs policy: elimination of the “de minimis” exemption, which previously allowed packages under $800 to enter duty-free.
The change, widely reported by outlets like Reuters, impacts business customers shipping goods to the U.S. DHL confirmed it’s suspending standard parcel services from business senders, noting that premium “Express” services remain available.
Even small gifts worth under $100—classified as personal items—may now face stricter customs checks.
Why the Pause?
The root cause lies in new U.S. customs requirements. Without clear guidelines on how duties for international shipments will be collected, many postal services—including those in Scandinavia, Austria, Belgium, and beyond—are pausing operations to adapt.
The Financial Times emphasized that the lack of clarity is causing “confusion and chaos” for global postal networks and e-commerce platforms.
What This Means for Shippers
| Group | Impact |
|---|---|
| Business shippers | Standard services paused; need new solutions or risk delays. |
| Consumers | Small-value gifts (e.g., under $100) still allowed but face checks. |
| E-commerce brands | Quick duty and customs integration now necessary to avoid service halt. |
Packages that once flowed smoothly under the exemption are now subject to country-of-origin tariffs. Courier platforms must update their systems to calculate duties up front—something already flagged by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The Broader Impact
For low-cost retailers and marketplaces like Shein or Temu, these changes could disrupt supply chains and raise costs for end consumers.
A decade of exponential growth in low-value U.S. shipments—rising from 134 million to over 1.36 billion—now faces renewed tariffs and paperwork hurdles.(FT)
Why It Matters
- Timeline: This comes just days before the August 29 deadline for lifting the de minimis exemption.
- Scope: Expect a ripple effect across postal systems—from Europe to Asia-Pacific.
- Next Steps: Royal Mail and DHL plan to introduce Delivered Duties Paid (DDP) services so shippers can pre-calculate and remit fees at the point of sending.
Final Thought
Shipping to the U.S. just got harder. Businesses, particularly small-scale and e-commerce sellers, must update their logistics strategies immediately.
As Royal Mail and DHL adapt, integration with customs protocols is no longer optional—it’s essential for uninterrupted cross-border trade.
FAQs
1. Why did Royal Mail and DHL suspend U.S. deliveries?
Because the U.S. government ended the duty-free “de minimis” rule, making it unclear how customs duties will be collected for international shipments.
2. Are all shipments to the U.S. affected?
No. DHL’s Express services are still available. However, standard business parcel shipments are suspended until systems adapt to the new rules.
3. Can I still send gifts under $100?
Yes, but they may face stricter customs checks and delays.
4. Which businesses are most affected?
Low-cost retailers and e-commerce platforms like Temu, Shein, and smaller online sellers who relied on the duty-free exemption.
5. What happens next?
Royal Mail, DHL, and other couriers are developing Delivered Duties Paid (DDP) solutions to help businesses pre-pay duties upfront.
