DHL, UPS, FedEx suspend delivery to and from Russia and Belarus

As logistics, cargo transportation, and courier companies suspend business relations with Russia amid sanctions against that country following its invasion of Ukraine, DHL Express, United Parcel Service, and FedEx have now also announced they have frozen deliveries to and from both Russia and its ally, Belarus.

The world’s three biggest shipping lines – Danish giant Maersk, Switzerland-based MSC, and France’s CMA CGM – all suspended non-essential deliveries to Russia on March 1, joining a growing list of companies shunning Moscow.

On March 2, Deutsche Post subsidiary DHL posted a two-sentence service alert on its website: “Our inbound services to Russia and Belarus have been suspended, which is why we are also not accepting shipments to those countries until further notice. We are closely monitoring the situation and we will keep you updated about any further developments.”

A spokesman for the German logistics firm in Bonn told the news agencies RND and DPA that the reason for the move was the blocking of airspace resulting from the Russian war in Ukraine. However, letters, parcels, and small packages will continue to be sent to Russia and Ukraine, but overland. This is being done within the framework of international obligations via the worldwide Universal Postal Union, of which Deutsche Post is a member, the spokesman said.

Also on March 2, DHL posted a separate service update on Ukraine: “We are deeply saddened about the situation in Ukraine. As a company that enables trade between countries and peoples across the globe, we strive for a more connected world, with peace and prosperity for everyone. Currently, our greatest concern and our highest priority is the safety of our employees. We have therefore closed offices and operations in Ukraine until further notice.”

DHL had already called a halt to delivery services to Ukraine last week. Also last week, Atlanta-based United Parcel Service and Memphis-headquartered FedEx Corp said in statements that they had suspended inbound and outbound services to Ukraine as well as deliveries to destinations in Russia.