DHL to resume US-bound parcel deliveries for business customers

FRANKFURT - Germany's postal giant DHL announced on Tuesday that it will resume parcel deliveries from Germany to the United States for business customers this Thursday, ending a four-week suspension triggered by new US customs rules.

DHL's Post & Parcel Germany unit, along with other postal providers, halted shipments at the end of August, citing stricter requirements for detailed customs data and upfront duty payments. The suspension followed a change in US customs regulations that effectively abolished the long-standing "de minimis" rule, which had allowed duty-free imports of goods worth up to 800 US dollars.

Under the new framework, which took effect on Aug 29, all incoming parcels are now subject to customs clearance and tariffs, including at least 15 percent duties on shipments from EU countries. To comply, DHL said it has completely overhauled processes for data collection, customs reporting, and fee payments. The company warned that the new rules will bring "additional obligations and costs for traders."

According to the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in Bern, international postal traffic to the US dropped 81 percent after the new rules took effect.