Germany’s DHL Halts Standard Package Deliveries to US Amid New Tariff Rules

TDT | Manama

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Germany’s postal service has announced temporary restrictions on sending packages to the United States, following new trade measures introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration.

DHL, which operates Deutsche Post, said that starting Saturday it will suspend its standard parcel delivery service to the US — a popular and affordable option for many small businesses.

“The new US postal requirements have created uncertainty, especially about who will cover the tariffs and how the system will work,” DHL said in a statement. “Until these issues are clarified, we are forced to pause standard shipments.”

Other European countries, including Belgium, Austria, and Denmark, have already taken similar steps.

For now, DHL will continue offering its faster — but more costly — express service for packages weighing up to 70 kilograms. Private customers will also still be able to send gifts valued up to $100 (around €86), though these will face stricter checks to ensure they’re not used for commercial purposes.

The changes come after the Trump administration announced that, as of August 29, small packages under €800 will no longer be exempt from tariffs. Instead, they will face a 15 percent tax, the same rate applied to other EU imports under a recent US-EU trade deal.

Earlier this year, DHL had already suspended shipments of items worth more than €800 to the US.