Dhl Express has confirmed it is once again handling business-to-consumer (B2C) shipments to the United States for parcels with a customs value ranging from 800 to 2,500 dollars, following a short suspension triggered by recent changes to US customs regulations. The announcement comes after discussions between the international courier, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the US government, which resulted in the reinstatement of the threshold for what is known as “informal entry”, a simplified customs clearance procedure.
In early April 2025, the United States had lowered the informal entry threshold from 2,500 to 800 dollars, meaning all shipments exceeding that value were required to follow the more complex “formal entry” process. This involves additional documentation, longer processing times and higher costs. The change particularly affected B2C shipments handled by express couriers, prompting Dhl to temporarily suspend services to American private consumers for shipments over 800 dollars.
Shipments destined for businesses (B2B), as well as those under 800 dollars, were not affected by the restriction. Nevertheless, the impact on international e-commerce and global logistics was immediate, creating uncertainty and delays. Pressure from industry players and logistics operators led to a review of the measure. From 28 April 2025, the threshold for B2C shipments was therefore raised once again to 2,500 dollars, restoring balance and greater efficiency in customs operations.
Dhl has warned that, despite the resumption, temporary delays may occur due to the backlog of parcels built up during the suspension period. Furthermore, not all goods will benefit from the new thresholds. Products subject to special tariffs, such as those of Chinese origin or shipped from Hong Kong, remain subject to stricter rules. In these cases, the informal entry threshold may be reduced to as low as 250 dollars, and formal entry procedures may still be required, with all the related administrative implications.
