FedEx Changes, DHL Suspensions, and U.S. Trade Moves: 5 Critical Supply Chain Updates

If it feels like your logistics strategy changes every time you open a news app—you’re not alone. In just the past few weeks, global carriers have restructured surcharges, paused services, and opened new lanes. Meanwhile, shifting U.S. regulations have triggered a wave of cost increases, customs delays, and policy uncertainty that’s forcing shippers to rethink everything from vendor relationships to inventory flow.

For shippers, these headlines aren’t just noise—they’re the conditions that define your cost models, carrier decisions, and delivery windows. Here are five stories you can’t afford to miss—and how they may reshape your freight strategy heading into the second half of 2025.

1. FedEx Revamps China Surcharges as De Minimis Changes Take Effect

FedEx will retire its current $0.45/lb surcharge on shipments from China, Hong Kong, and the Philippines on May 2, 2025, aligning with the U.S. government's move to end the de minimis exemption for those regions. In its place, FedEx will introduce new customs clearance fees: a $4.50 Disbursement Fee (or 2% of duties/taxes, whichever is greater) and an $8.50 forwarding fee for third-party billing. These changes aim to streamline processing under tighter U.S. import regulations for low-value shipments.

[TL;DR] Key Takeaway:
New customs fees will replace existing surcharges, raising the cost of shipping low-value goods into the U.S. just as de minimis rules tighten.

2. DHL Freezes US-Bound B2C Shipments Over $800

DHL has temporarily halted all B2C shipments over $800 to the U.S., citing delays from new customs rules that lowered the threshold for formal entry from $2,500 to $800. While B2B and sub-$800 shipments are still moving, they too may face delays. The suspension reflects the mounting pressure global carriers face as U.S. trade enforcement intensifies—especially in e-commerce.

[TL;DR] Key Takeaway:
DHL’s pause underscores how new customs rules are straining cross-border e-commerce and increasing friction at the $800 threshold.

3. FedEx Launches Direct Singapore–U.S. Air Cargo Service

FedEx has begun its first direct air cargo route from Singapore to the U.S., operating six weekly 777 freighter flights aimed at supporting high-value and palletized freight. Key sectors include aerospace, healthcare, high-tech, and industrial shipping. The route reduces transit time for Southeast Asia shipments, giving U.S.-bound freight a faster, more predictable option amid shifting global demand patterns.

[TL;DR] Key Takeaway:
Faster transit times from Southeast Asia give shippers a new strategic lane as demand shifts and networks evolve.

4. U.S. Eyes Tariffs on Pharma Imports in New Security Probe

The U.S. has launched a Section 232 investigation into pharmaceutical imports, raising the possibility of new tariffs on drugs and active ingredients—particularly from China and India. While major pharma firms are investing in U.S. production, reshoring will take years. Experts warn that added tariffs could increase drug prices, cause supply shortages, and disrupt generic drug availability.

[TL;DR] Key Takeaway:
Potential pharma tariffs signal added cost and risk for healthcare-related shippers relying on foreign APIs and imports.

5. U.S. Export Snapshot: China Still a Critical Trade Partner

Despite political tensions, the U.S. exported $143.5 billion in goods to China in 2024—a 2.9% drop from the previous year. Top exports included fuels, grains, machinery, and medical instruments. The figures confirm that, even amid trade battles, China remains a cornerstone market for American exporters across multiple sectors.

[TL;DR] Key Takeaway:
Exports to China remain vital, and any policy shift—tariffs, shipping fees, or regulatory probes—carries big consequences for U.S. trade flows.

From Fee Shock to Freight Strategy: Why Shippers Trust IA

When customs rules change, fees spike, and carrier services shift overnight, shippers need more than dashboards—they need a partner that helps them pivot with precision. That’s where Intelligent Audit comes in. As carriers roll out new fee structures and suspend key services, our platform equips shippers with the tools to evaluate cost impacts in real time, compare routing options, and make decisions rooted in data, not guesswork.  

Whether it’s adjusting to new customs thresholds, modeling alternative carrier strategies, or identifying the true cost of shifting service levels, Intelligent Audit helps shippers cut through complexity and stay in control. And with expert-backed guidance built into every step—from strategy to execution—you’re not just reacting to the headlines. You’re staying ahead of them.

Connect with us to start leading with insights—no matter what the next regulation, surcharge, or route change brings.