DHL's changes comes after the US government lowered the threshold at which parcels to individuals require formal entry processing by US Customs. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
Global shipping giant DHL will "temporarily" suspend the shipping of parcels worth more than NZ$1300 from businesses to individuals in the United States as of Monday, the company said, citing delays in US customs clearances.
"As a result of recent US Customs regulatory updates, we are experiencing multi-day transit delays to the US from any origin for shipments with a declared customs value exceeding USD 800," DHL said in a statement.
President Donald Trump has launched a wide-ranging trade war since coming to office, threatening friend and foe alike with steep tariffs to address US trade deficits with individual countries.
As part of those changes, the government has also lowered the threshold at which parcels to individuals require formal entry processing by US Customs - down to NZ$1300 from NZ$4500 as of April 5.
"This change has caused a surge in formal customs clearances, which we are handling around the clock," DHL said.
The company added that business-to-business shipments would not be affected by the suspension, "though they may also face delays."
Trump's government has taken particular aim at China, and earlier this month Washington closed a duty-free exemption for small parcels from that country, a move that appeared to be designed to target low-cost online retailers like Temu and Shein.
- AFP
