The delivery giant said it will temporarily stop shipments from companies in all countries to American consumers on Monday "until further notice".

It added that business-to-business shipments will still go ahead, "though they may also face delays".  Previously, packages worth up to USD 2,500 could enter the US with minimal paperwork but due to tighter customs checks that came into force alongside Trump's tariffs this month, the threshold has been lowered.

DHL said that the change "has caused a surge in formal customs clearances, which we are handling around the clock". It said that while it is working to "scale up and manage this increase, shipments worth over USD 800, regardless of origin, may experience multi-day delays". The company said it will still deliver packages worth less than USD 800, which can be sent to the US with minimal checks.

But the White House is set to clamp down on deliveries under USD 800 - specifically those sent from China and Hong Kong - on 2 May when it closes a loophole allowing low-value packages to enter the US without incurring any duties. The removal of the so-called "de minimis" rule will impact the likes of the fast-fashion firm Shein and Temu, the low-cost retail giant. Shein and Temu have both warned that they will increase prices "due to recent changes in global trade rules and tariffs". (BBC)