DHL’s new services to help retailers “respond to the realities of global trade volatility”
DHL Global Forwarding, the air and ocean freight specialist of DHL Group, has launched DHL Consolidated Clearance Service for U.S. Imports, a powerful new customs solution tailored to meet the needs of e-commerce and retail businesses navigating today’s complex trade environment.
As U.S. tariff policies evolve and regulatory demands intensify, importers – particularly in fast-moving consumer sectors – face rising costs, longer clearance times, and increased compliance risks. DHL’s new service is designed to address these challenges head-on by offering a streamlined, cost-efficient customs clearance process that consolidates multiple shipments under a single entry. It is designed to support businesses, particularly with high-volume operations, that are transitioning from de minimis clearance for their U.S. imports to clearance via formal and informal entry.
“Retailers are under pressure to deliver faster, more cost-effectively, and in full compliance with shifting trade regulations,” said Greg Nichols, Senior Vice President, Global Customs, DHL Global Forwarding. “This service helps them do just that—by simplifying customs processes, reducing costs, and ensuring they stay ahead of regulatory changes, without the need for an advanced technology set-up. Cost, certainty and compliance are sources of advantage in the increasingly competitive retail sector and are likely to be especially critical during peak seasons like Black Friday and the holidays, and we believe that DHL Consolidated Clearance Service will help deliver that advantage.”
The launch comes as global trade patterns continue to evolve. The service is particularly relevant as U.S. tariffs reach levels not seen since the 1930s, and North America’s trade growth forecast has dropped from 2.7% to 1.5% annually against the backdrop of trade policy shifts. Retailers are responding by diversifying sourcing, increasing use of Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) terms to streamline cross-border operations and utilizing new import models to the U.S. At the same time, e-commerce continues to expand internationally. The DHL 2025 E-Commerce Trends Report notes that the global cross-border e-commerce market is expected to reach $4.81 trillion by 2032, highlighting sustained long-term growth. However, with consumers citing unexpected customs charges and complex returns processes among the top reasons shoppers abandon cross-border purchases, the need for customs clearance platforms that simplify processes at the border and provide transparency and certainty on costs has never been higher.
DHL’s new service is part of a broader strategy to support retailers with scalable, tech-enabled logistics solutions that respond to the realities of global trade volatility and rising consumer expectations. DHL Global Forwarding continues to invest in customs innovation, including its groundbreaking DHL TradeConnect digital customs environment offering unprecedented visibility, analytics, and control over customs activities worldwide.
