DHL, the renowned international courier service, has announced a temporary suspension of shipments to the United States for items with a declared value exceeding $800. This significant update was made public in an official notice from the company, which outlined the new shipping policy that will take effect starting Monday.
The announcement indicates that, effective immediately, DHL will no longer collect or ship orders from international businesses destined for private customers in the U.S. if the declared customs value exceeds $800. This decision is a direct response to recent changes in U.S. customs regulations that dictate which items require formal declaration upon entry into the country.
As of April 5, the U.S. government lowered the threshold for formal customs declaration from $2,500 to $800. This policy shift has resulted in increased processing times, leading to what DHL describes as “multi-day transit delays.” In the notice, the company stated, “This change has caused a surge in formal customs clearances, which we are handling around the clock.”
It is important to note that this suspension specifically affects business-to-consumer shipments. However, business-to-business shipments remain unaffected by the suspension, although they may still experience delays due to the increased volume of packages being processed. DHL emphasized that while efforts are underway to manage the surge in shipments, all orders valued above $800 may encounter multi-day delays, regardless of their origin.
Customers can rest assured that shipments valued at less than $800 will continue to be processed without interruption. The company has clarified that this suspension is temporary and will remain in effect “until further notice.” While the official notice did not include a specific date, internet archives suggest the announcement was compiled over the weekend.
For those relying on DHL for international shipping, it is crucial to stay updated on these changes and plan accordingly, especially if shipping items with a value exceeding the newly established threshold. The situation remains dynamic, and customers are encouraged to monitor DHL's official communications for further updates.
