DHL’s Suspension of Standard Parcel Services from Germany to U.S. Disrupts Trading By Increasing Costs

Due to new U.S. customs regulations effective August 29, 2025, DHL and Deutsche Post have temporarily suspended standard parcel services from Germany to the U.S. for business customers, as announced on August 22, 2025.

The U.S. Executive Order “Suspending Duty-Free De Minimis Treatment for all Countries” eliminates the duty-free threshold for imports under $800, imposing a 15% tariff on goods from the EU, including Germany. This affects postal shipments, with unresolved issues around customs duty collection and data transmission to U.S. authorities.

DHL Parcel Germany and Deutsche Post will not accept or transport parcels containing goods from business customers to the U.S. via the postal network. Individuals can still send parcels declared as gifts (up to $100 in value) and documents, but these face stricter controls to prevent commercial misuse. Private parcels over $100 are subject to the new tariffs.

Shipping via DHL Express remains available for both private and business customers, though it’s more expensive and subject to commercial customs clearance with a 15% tariff (or higher for certain products). The restrictions stem from new U.S. processes for postal shipments, which differ from prior regulations, causing uncertainty about tariff collection and data requirements.

Other European postal services (e.g., in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, and France) have also limited U.S.-bound shipments due to these changes. DHL is working with U.S. authorities to resume standard postal services but expects the suspension to be temporary.

The elimination of the U.S. de minimis exemption (previously allowing duty-free imports under $800) imposes a 15% tariff on EU goods, including those from Germany. Businesses relying on DHL’s cost-effective postal services must now use DHL Express, which is more expensive due to its commercial customs clearance process. This raises shipping costs significantly.

Consumers may face higher prices as businesses pass on tariff and shipping costs. For example, e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu have already warned of price increases due to similar tariff policies. The suspension primarily affects business-to-consumer (B2C) shipments, halting standard parcel deliveries for businesses.

This disrupts the flow of goods for online retailers, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that rely on affordable postal services to reach U.S. customers. Platforms like Etsy, which depend on postal services for international shipping, have suspended shipping label purchases for U.S.-bound packages from multiple countries, further complicating cross-border e-commerce.

Unresolved questions about how duties will be collected and who will pay them (shipper, recipient, or courier) have led to the temporary suspension. This uncertainty creates logistical bottlenecks, as couriers like DHL lack clear processes to comply with new U.S. regulations. Businesses face potential additional costs for storage or return shipments if U.S. Customs rejects non-compliant parcels.

SMEs, which often lack the resources to navigate complex customs processes or absorb higher shipping costs, are disproportionately affected. Unlike large corporations, they may struggle to switch to premium services like DHL Express or find alternative shipping routes. The suspension could force some SMEs to pause or abandon U.S. market sales, reducing their revenue and competitiveness.

The U.S. policy is part of a broader trade war, initially targeting Chinese retailers like Shein and Temu but now affecting all countries by removing the de minimis exemption. This has prompted retaliatory rhetoric from countries like China and Hong Kong, with potential for further trade restrictions.

European postal services (e.g., Austria, Belgium, Scandinavia) have also suspended U.S.-bound shipments, indicating a wider disruption to global trade networks. Private individuals can still send gifts valued up to $100 duty-free, but stricter controls to prevent misuse (e.g., businesses disguising commercial shipments as gifts) may delay or complicate personal shipments.

Parcels over $100 face tariffs and must use DHL Express, increasing costs for individuals. The suspension creates a backlog of parcels, as seen in earlier instances where DHL paused shipments over $800 due to customs delays. This disrupts the timely delivery of goods, critical for e-commerce businesses with tight schedules.

Businesses reliant on just-in-time inventory systems may face stock shortages, impacting sales and customer satisfaction. German businesses, particularly SMEs, lose affordable access to the U.S. market, one of the world’s largest consumer bases. This could lead to lost sales and market share, especially for niche or low-margin products.

Some businesses may seek alternative markets with fewer trade barriers, diverting exports from the U.S. to other regions. However, this is challenging for businesses reliant on U.S. consumers, as noted in posts on X highlighting the U.S.’s consumer-driven economy. Others may turn to competitors like FedEx or UPS, but these services may also face similar customs challenges, limiting viable alternatives.

While the U.S. justifies these tariffs to curb illicit shipments and protect domestic industries, the blanket removal of the de minimis exemption broadly impacts allied nations like Germany, potentially straining trade relations. The lack of clear customs processes, as noted by DHL and other postal services, suggests poor preparation by U.S. authorities, leading to unnecessary disruptions.

Moreover, the focus on Chinese retailers like Shein and Temu may have unintended consequences for European exporters, who face collateral damage in this trade war. The policy’s effectiveness in addressing issues like the opioid crisis remains questionable, as administrative bottlenecks may overshadow enforcement gains.

While DHL aims to resume services once processes are clarified, the immediate impact is a significant hurdle for cross-border e-commerce and bilateral trade. Businesses may need to explore premium shipping options, redirect exports, or absorb costs, while consumers face higher prices and reduced access to goods.