DHL will pause business parcel services between Germany and the United States starting next week, joining other European postal operators adjusting to sudden changes in U.S. customs rules. While gift parcels valued under $100 can continue, the suspension highlights the growing disruption low-value duty shifts are causing in cross-Atlantic e-commerce.
Customs Changes Disrupt Parcel Flows
The German logistics group said last week it will temporarily stop business shipments to the U.S. from Aug. 26, citing new American import regulations that require duties on all packages regardless of value. Until now, shipments under the $800 de minimis threshold entered the U.S. duty-free, allowing retailers and small exporters to move goods cheaply. The change, set to take effect Aug. 29, removes that exemption and forces carriers to reconfigure compliance processes.
DHL confirmed that its express service remains unaffected, ensuring time-critical goods continue moving. However, standard business parcels will face a pause of uncertain length. A spokesperson said the company is monitoring discussions with U.S. authorities but could not give a date for resumption. The measure affects only DHL’s German parcel unit, not its broader international express network.
Other European Operators Follow Suit
DHL’s decision mirrors moves by other European postal groups. Austria’s postal service suspended shipments to the U.S. on Thursday, and Belgium’s Bpost will do the same starting Aug. 23. Each cited the imminent duty change as a driver of risk and cost, particularly for high-volume, low-value packages. For e-commerce platforms that rely on low-margin cross-border sales, the new rules threaten to erode price competitiveness and complicate delivery timelines.
Industry observers note that smaller online merchants and marketplace sellers are likely to be hit hardest, as they depend heavily on postal networks rather than premium express channels. According to trade reports, Europe-to-U.S. cross-border e-commerce has been a fast-growing lane in recent years, driven by apparel, consumer electronics, and specialty goods. The new U.S. policy is poised to slow that growth.
Beyond Immediate Delays
Customs simplifications that once fueled global e-commerce are being rolled back in favor of tighter border controls and tariff enforcement. Compliance agility may now matter as much as delivery speed. As the U.S. raises barriers on low-value imports, operators that can rapidly re-tool clearance systems, diversify entry points, and bundle trade compliance into service offerings will be best positioned to capture displaced volumes.