Hong Kong e-commerce businesses and American consumers are expected to be most affected by DHL Express’ temporary suspension of business-to-consumer shipments worth more than US$800 addressed to individuals in the US, industry representatives have predicted.
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But they said they expected the pause would be temporary as US customs worked to clear a backlog of packages after the Trump administration imposed additional tariffs on Chinese goods.
The global courier said on Saturday the suspension would remain in place “until further notice” and cited US President Donald Trump’s decision to end the “de minimis” tariff exemption for Chinese products worth US$800 or less, starting on May 2.
The tariff on small parcels sent to the US from China would be further raised to 120 per cent from 90 per cent.
Commerce sector lawmaker Jeffrey Lam Kin-fung told the Post he believed e-commerce businesses would be affected the most by the halt as they mostly shipped directly to customers, while American consumers would need to bear higher prices for imported goods.
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“For example, those starting university and looking to shop online for back-to-school items will be affected and have to find alternative platforms,” he said. “This also impacts Americans in Hong Kong who want to make purchases to send back home.”
Lam said he believed the temporary suspension was because DHL was waiting for a backlog of packages to clear US customs.