Current reports on restrictions in the mailing of business shipments to the USA, as well as possible—or already implemented—changes to the US de minimis regime, are creating considerable uncertainty in e-commerce. The Händlerbund, therefore, is calling for practical transitional arrangements and transparent information so that companies can plan their international processes reliably. The organization, based in Leipzig, announced this recently.
“For many small and medium-sized enterprises, shipping small shipments to the USA is an important revenue driver. Additional charges, new formalities and longer processing times would noticeably burden international competitiveness. We need quick clarity on procedures, deadlines and exceptions—with practical transitional rules. At the same time, we recommend merchants check the current guidance from their shipping partners and consider alternatives such as DDP models, US fulfillment or
express services,” says Tim Arlt, CEO of the Händlerbund.
Legal and operational clarity must, according to the e-commerce network, primarily be provided by the US authorities: The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) sets procedures, duty assessment and deadlines bindingly. The United States Postal Service (USPS) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU) specify the processes in the international postal network. For German senders, the service updates of Deutsche Post/DHL as well as the express services are decisive because they govern acceptance conditions and practical handling.
“We urge the US government and Congress to design the changes proportionally, to ensure sufficiently long transitional periods, and to provide clear, digital procedures—especially for small shipments from SMEs. The transatlantic economic relationship is a success story and must not be
derailed by bureaucratic hurdles,” Arlt continues.
At the same time, the Händlerbund sees the federal government as having a duty. It must advocate for practical solutions bilaterally and at EU level, provide timely information in German, and concretely support SMEs—for example with guides, central points of contact, digital customs support, and temporary simplifications.
“The goal must be that small and medium-sized merchants can continue to reliably deliver to the USA.” says Arlt.
What retailers should consider now
- Check shipping conditions: Verify current acceptance and transit-time information of the service providers used (mail, parcel, express/courier) for USA shipments.
- Improve customs data quality: Provide complete product data (description, HS code, value, origin) to avoid delays.
- Evaluate DDP & US fulfillment: Depending on assortment and margins, advance duty clearance (DDP)
- or warehousing in the USA may be sensible.
- Adapt customer communication: Make expected delivery times, potential duties and return processes transparent.
- Risk diversification: Check alternative routes and service providers, conduct test shipments and monitor KPIs (costs, transit times, delivery quality).
Background
- In the USA, the previous tax- and duty-free treatment of small shipments (“de minimis”) has been politically re-evaluated. For cross-border e-commerce shipments, additional customs requirements apply; postal operators and parcel services are adjusting their procedures and—partly temporarily—acceptance conditions.
- For postal shipments, during a transitional phase, special models for collecting duties/charges are provided; non-postal shipments (express/courier) are normally processed in the customs system.
- Specific postal network announcements concern business-customer shipments to the USA; express solutions generally remain possible. Merchants should check the notices from their providers daily.
