DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight division of DHL Group, has launched a consolidated clearance service for US imports to support retailers navigate tariffs and trade shifts.
The company said that as US tariff policies evolve and regulatory demands intensify, importers “face rising costs, longer clearance times and increased compliance risks”.
DHL’s new service aims to address these challenges by consolidating multiple shipments under a single entry. It is designed to support businesses with high-volume operations that are transitioning from ‘de minimis’ clearance for their US imports to clearance via formal and informal entry.
The ‘de minimis‘ exemption, which ended on 29 August, previously let shipments valued under US$800 – clear US Customs duty and tax free, with minimal paperwork.
“Retailers are under pressure to deliver faster, more cost-effectively, and in full compliance with shifting trade regulations,” commented Greg Nichols, senior vice president, global customs at DHL Global Forwarding.
He added that cost, certainty and compliance are likely to be especially critical during peak seasons like Black Friday and the holidays.
According to DHL the launch of its consolidated clearance service comes during a time of evolving global trade patterns, and amid the highest US tariff levels since the 1930s.
The third-party logistics provider projects that the global cross-border e-commerce market will reach US$4.81 trillion by 2032. However, with consumers citing unexpected customs charges and complex returns processes as reasons for abandoning cross-border purchases, DHL said “the need for customs clearance platforms…has never been higher”.
DHL’s new service is part of a broader strategy to support retailers with respond to the realities of global trade volatility and rising consumer expectations.
