Logistics group DHL is suspending some parcel deliveries to the US from Monday as it struggles to cope with the extra costs and paperwork from new customs rules.
From April 5, US Customs and Border Protection has required goods worth more than $800 entering the country to undergo more stringent customs checks and be accompanied by additional documentation.
DHL said that it was working to increase its clearance capacity but that, given the “substantial” changes, business-to-consumer parcels worth more than $800 from anywhere in the world to the US may face multi-day delays. Changes are not expected to business-to-business shipments but there could be delays.
Germany’s DHL is the first major commercial logistics company to take action as a result of new US tariffs, many of which came into effect on April 5.
John Manners Bell, chief executive of consultancy TI Insight, said it “could be a sign that the global trading system is starting to break”.
DHL’s decision, which was first reported by the Sunday Times, follows the announcement by state-owned Hongkong Post this week that it would stop accepting packages to be sent to the US by sea with immediate effect and stop taking airborne packages from April 27 as a result of the new US requirements. The company accused the US of “bullying and imposing tariffs abusively”.
Posted by John3262005