Deutsche Post DHL Group has resumed parcel shipping to the USA for business customers. As announced by the company, the DHL Parcel International service is available again from today. Shipping had been suspended since the end of August, following fundamental changes to US customs regulations.
Background: US government removes duty-free threshold
By Executive Order of 30 July 2025, the US government abolished the so-called de minimis rule. Previously, shipments valued at under 800 US dollars could be imported duty-free. This exception no longer applies – all shipments are now subject to customs duties.
The changes led to significant uncertainties in processing.
“We did not suspend this because we could not do it any longer, but because there were too few details on how the processes should run,” explained DHL board member Nikola Hagleitner to the Funke media group. In the meantime, processes have been clarified with the US authorities.
New requirements for business customers
Stricter regulations now apply immediately for shipping to the USA:
- Complete customs data is mandatory, including HS code (at least six digits), country of origin, description of goods, quantity, weight, and value.
- The service Postal Delivered Duty Paid (PDDP) is mandatory for shipments up to 800 USD, with the sender paying the customs duties in advance.
- The costs for the PDDP service amount to two euros per shipment, according to DHL.
- For goods valued above 800 USD, the PDDP service is not available – in these cases, the recipient pays the import duties directly.
Additional costs due to customs
For business customers, the new regulation means additional costs. Even for goods of low value, additional fees may apply: for a product made in Germany worth 50 dollars, total duties amount to just over ten dollars, according to DHL. However, if the item was manufactured in China, it becomes significantly more expensive due to US special tariffs.
A parcel weighing up to five kilograms, which previously had to be sent via DHL Express for around 100 euros, can now again be sent via DHL Parcel International – albeit with the additional customs costs.
Impact on goods traffic
The removal of the duty-free threshold had a major impact on international mail and parcel traffic to the USA. According to UN data, shipment volumes fell by more than 80 per cent. DHL is one of the first postal service providers worldwide to reintroduce the service.
The company stresses that the new regulations exclusively affect the DHL Parcel brand. Products from other divisions such as DHL Express or DHL eCommerce are not affected.
In case you missed it:
End of US de minimis exemption sends shockwaves through Europe’s logistics sector
US tariff changes trigger freight volume drops and rate pressure, Upply warns
Illegal cabotage in Germany: billion-euro losses, no accountability
Poland’s border with Belarus to open today. ‘A bittersweet success
TEG partners with HIVED to expand access to fully electric parcel delivery in the UK
