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DHL Suspends Globalmail Shipments from the UK to Europe Due to EU Customs Rules

DHL Globalmail has decided to temporarily suspend certain e-commerce shipments from the United Kingdom to EU countries due to the European Union’s (EU) new customs regulations, which will come into force on July 1. The decision will particularly affect UK-based online sellers using the DHL Globalmail service.

As of July 1, the European Union will introduce a new customs procedure for low-value parcels worth up to €150 sent from outside the EU to member states. Under this framework, a fixed fee of €3 is planned to be applied to low-value e-commerce parcels.

DHL Globalmail Is Not Ready for the New Process

Under the new system, for postal services such as Globalmail, customs duties and related fees will need to be paid by the sender or declarant rather than the recipient. This means additional data sharing, new declaration processes, and operational obligations for sellers.

According to British news platform ChannelX, the DHL Globalmail service is currently unable to support this process because it does not have a Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) solution, under which the fees would be covered by the seller. Although DHL stated that it is working on such a solution, it has not provided a date for when the system will be ready.

Service to Be Suspended on June 24

As an unwanted but necessary consequence, DHL will temporarily suspend low-value parcels containing goods sent to the EU under Globalmail as of Wednesday, June 24. The final collection day will be Tuesday, June 23.

The suspension only applies to shipments containing goods sent to the European Union through DHL Globalmail. DHL Express services will remain available. In addition, UK online sellers that hold inventory within the European Union will not be affected by this change.

The EU Aims to Reduce the Flow of Unsafe Products

Brussels’ new regulations aim to control the flow of low-value products sent directly to consumers in the EU from third countries, particularly China. Last year, 5.8 billion low-value e-commerce parcels entered the European Union. This represents a 26 percent increase compared to the previous year.

EU inspections have found that many products shipped directly to consumers from third countries do not comply with product safety and regulatory standards. For this reason, in addition to the temporary customs fee, a permanent handling fee of approximately €2 per parcel is also on the agenda. This fee is expected to take effect on November 1, but the date has not yet been officially confirmed.

DHL’s decision is regarded as one of the first concrete examples of the operational pressure that the new customs rules will create on cross-border e-commerce logistics.

DHL and USPS Sign $10 Billion Deal to Reshape U.S. E-Commerce Deliveries

DHL and USPS Sign $10 Billion Deal to Reshape U.S. E-Commerce Deliveries

The logistics industry witnessed one of its largest partnership agreements in recent years as DHL eCommerce and the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced a long-term exclusive contract valued at more than $10 billion. The agreement strengthens a relationship that has existed for over 25 years and signals a new phase in the evolution of last-mile delivery across the United States.

Under the agreement, DHL eCommerce will continue to manage parcel pickup, sorting, and transportation through its nationwide network of 19 automated hubs, while USPS will remain the exclusive provider responsible for final-mile delivery. The partnership gives DHL access to USPS’s extensive delivery infrastructure, which serves more than 170 million addresses across over 41,000 ZIP Codes six days a week.

A Strategic Move for U.S. E-Commerce Growth

The deal arrives at a time when global e-commerce volumes continue to rise and logistics providers are under increasing pressure to improve delivery speed, efficiency, and cost management. Rather than investing heavily in building a dedicated residential delivery network in the United States, DHL has chosen to deepen its collaboration with USPS, allowing the company to scale operations while leveraging an already established nationwide infrastructure.

According to DHL eCommerce Americas CEO Scott Ashbaugh, the agreement creates a more stable platform for customers and supports the company’s long-term expansion plans in the U.S. market. Industry analysts also view the partnership as a practical response to the growing complexity of parcel delivery, where final-mile logistics remain one of the most expensive and operationally demanding stages of the fulfillment process.

USPS Strengthens Its Commercial Logistics Position

For USPS, the agreement represents a major commercial win as the organization continues efforts to diversify revenue streams and strengthen its financial position. The Postal Service has increasingly positioned itself as a critical logistics infrastructure partner for major parcel carriers, offering nationwide reach that would be difficult and costly for private operators to replicate independently.

The contract is expected to generate more than $10 billion in revenue over its duration, making it one of the most significant agreements in USPS’s parcel delivery business. The partnership also reinforces a broader industry trend where logistics providers focus on specialized segments of the delivery chain while relying on strategic partnerships for nationwide residential coverage.

As competition intensifies across the global e-commerce logistics sector, the DHL-USPS agreement highlights how collaboration, infrastructure sharing, and operational efficiency are becoming central to long-term growth strategies. With parcel volumes projected to continue rising throughout the decade, both organizations are positioning themselves to capture a larger share of the expanding U.S. e-commerce market.

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DHL Expands Global Logistics with 3 Key Capabilities from Vital Solutions Acquisition

Global logistics giant DHL is expanding its footprint in South Africa through the acquisition of Vital Distribution Solutions, Staffing Logistics, and Vital Fleet, in a move aimed at strengthening its end-to-end supply chain capabilities.

The transaction, approved unconditionally by South Africa’s Competition Commission, is expected to enhance DHL’s position in transport, warehousing, and contract logistics across the region.

Strengthening Logistics Capabilities Across Key Sectors

The acquisition covers a wide range of logistics services, including road freight, third-party logistics, storage, distribution, and e-commerce-related operations.

Vital Distribution Solutions brings established capabilities in servicing industries such as FMCG, manufacturing, industrial, and retail, while Vital Fleet adds fleet management and rental services. Staffing Logistics complements the deal by providing flexible workforce solutions across transport and service sectors.

By integrating these operations, DHL aims to deepen customer relationships and deliver more scalable, end-to-end logistics solutions in a rapidly evolving market.

E-Commerce Growth Driving Demand for Third-Party Logistics

The deal comes amid rising demand for outsourced logistics services in South Africa, driven by the continued growth of e-commerce and regional trade activity.

Industry players are increasingly investing in specialised logistics solutions to meet evolving supply chain requirements, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, retail, and transport. DHL has already signalled its long-term commitment to the region, with plans to invest approximately €300 million in Sub-Saharan Africa over the next five years.

As supply chains become more complex and digital commerce continues to scale, acquisitions like this highlight a broader shift toward integrated logistics ecosystems designed to improve efficiency, resilience, and service quality.

Source: Daily Dispatch