President Trump’s decision to impose blanket tariffs of 10% on goods arriving in America from almost all countries has led US Customs to demand formal entry processing for all shipments valued at over $800 (around £600).
The new requirement, which was introduced on 5 April, has led to multi-day delays to many shipments entering the US, says the international delivery expert Parcelhero.
As a result, two major international carriers have already taken the decision to suspend high-value business-to-customer (B2C) shipments into the USA.
Parcelhero says shipments with a declared Customs value of over the US de minimis threshold (below which no tariffs or duties are imposed) are now subject to the same red tape and procedures that were only previously imposed on shipments valued at over $2,500 (around £1,700).
The resulting paperwork and checks are creating severe logjams. As a result, the two major international carriers have both temporarily suspended B2C shipments to private individuals in the US where the declared value exceeds $800.
Parcelhero’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks M.I.L.T., explains: ‘Carriers delivering packages to the US are experiencing significant delays because of the new Customs procedures following the imposition of Trump’s tariffs. They have been working around the clock to minimise the disruption but it’s an unsustainable position right now.
‘So far, only two European carriers have temporarily suspended their B2C shipments to private individuals in the US where the declared value exceeds $800. US-based carriers have not followed suit as yet. These suspensions may cause some disruption but it’s important to note that, even for the two companies which have suspended high-value services, both their business-to-business (B2B) and their B2C shipments with a declarable Customs value below $800 are not affected by the suspension. Nor are B2B shipments to US companies with a declarable value above $800 – although they may also face delays.
‘This temporary suspension of high-value shipments is an understandable solution to the escalating Customs chaos resulting from Trump’s tariff reforms. A quick check of Parcelhero’s USA services page gives live details of all major couriers’ services to the USA, so senders can see all the delivery options currently available from each carrier and compare them easily.
‘As I speak, we have had no indication from any other international carrier that they also intend to suspend their high-value shipments, but this may depend on how rapidly US Customs reacts to the backlog and how swiftly shippers catch up with the new processes.
‘Of concern for the future is the fact that the US de minimis limit might be endangered. This could lead to almost ALL shipments arriving in the US facing similar checks, not just those valued at over $800. The legalese is certainly difficult to interpret but it does appear from President Trump’s 26 April Executive Order introducing the new “reciprocal tariffs” that his intention is to end the de minimis duties exemption for every country as soon as possible.
‘In effect, the Order seems to be saying the $800 duty-free de minimis treatment on packages arriving in the US will remain only until systems are in place to process and collect tariffs. At that point, the duty-free de minimis threshold would be axed for everyone.
‘If this proves to be correct, it’s a measure that was not anticipated by most analysts and one that will particularly impact smaller UK sellers, retailers and manufacturers whose product shipments are typically valued at less than $800 and who may have so far escaped the upheaval facing high-value senders.
‘Meanwhile, Trump’s tariff changes also mean Hongkong Post has said it is suspending packages sent to the US by surface mail and will stop accepting air mail parcels destined for America from 27 April.’
