DHL Express has temporarily halted business-to-consumer shipments valued over US$800 to the United States, following recent changes in US customs regulations.

The suspension, effective from April 21, applies to shipments from Hong Kong and will continue “until further notice.”

The new US rules require formal entry processing for shipments exceeding US$800, replacing the previous simplified “informal entry” process for goods valued between US$800 and US$2,500.

Business-to-business shipments over US$800 will not be affected, but delays may occur.

This decision follows Hongkong Post’s suspension of parcel shipments to the US via land and sea, with airmail services set to stop on April 27.

🔗 Source: South China Morning Post

🧠 Food for thought

1️⃣ Tariffs return as primary economic policy tools after two centuries

The 2025 tariff increases reflect a significant return to America’s historical approach to trade regulation and revenue generation.

When the U.S. Customs Service was established in 1789, tariffs were the government’s primary revenue source, accounting for nearly 95% of federal income during its first century 1.

The current administration’s implementation of a universal 10% tariff on all imports, with elevated rates of up to 145% for Chinese goods, represents the most aggressive use of tariffs as economic policy tools since the early 20th century 2.

This approach aligns with Alexander Hamilton’s original vision for the Customs Service, which viewed tariffs as essential for government functionality and defense rather than just trade policy 1.

The elimination of the de minimis exemption for China, Hong Kong, and Macau specifically targets a trade relationship that has been increasingly contentious, effectively ending a system that had facilitated millions of small-value shipments annually 3.

2️⃣ Shipping suspensions trigger logistics chain restructuring

DHL’s suspension of business-to-consumer shipments over $800 and Hong Kong Post’s complete halt of U.S.-bound services represent a dramatic restructuring of global logistics networks.

The shipping disruptions have created an immediate price shock, with costs for similar packages from Hong Kong to the U.S. jumping from $16.50 to approximately $54 when using alternative carriers like FedEx 4.