Starting today, April 21, global shipping giant DHL will "temporarily" suspend shipments valued at more than $800 from businesses to individuals in the United States.

This was announced by the company, citing delays in US customs procedures.

"As a result of recent updates to U.S. Customs regulations, there has been a multi-day delay in transit to the U.S. of all origins for shipments with a declared customs value in excess of $800," DHL said in a statement.

Since taking office, President Donald Trump has launched a massive trade war, threatening friends and foes alike with high tariffs to tackle the US trade deficit with individual countries, AFP reports.

As part of those changes, the government also lowered the threshold at which shipments to individuals require formal entry processing by US Customs - from $2,500 to $800, effective April 5.

"This change has resulted in a sharp increase in the number of formal customs clearances we process around the clock," DHL said.

The company added that business-to-business shipments will not be affected by the suspension, "although they may also face delays."

The Trump administration has taken aim at China in particular, and earlier this month Washington removed a duty exemption for small shipments from that country. The move appeared to target low-cost online retailers such as Temu and Shein. | BGNES