What Can I Ship?
Be prepared before you ship!
DHL Express transports a vast variety of goods and commodities around the world for our customers. Ensuring all shipments travel safely and securely throughout our global network is of utmost importance, so it’s essential you are aware of guidelines and restrictions for the items you are shipping.
Which goods can be shipped and shipping requirements may vary from destination to destination, local laws and regulations. Some goods may only require a shipping label, while other items may require additional documentation, an agreement with DHL Express and specific packaging, labels and package markings.
FAQs – Duties and Taxes
How are customs duties calculated?
The calculation of duties depends, in most countries, on the assessable value of a dutiable shipment. For the purpose of this calculation, dutiable goods are given a classification code that is known as the Harmonized System code, which determines the applicable duty rate. This system is a multipurpose international product nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization and continues to evolve.
All types of shipments (including gifts, samples and goods for repair) go through an import clearance process as determined by custom’s regulations in the destination country. The shipment is cleared through customs based on the type of goods, origin country, the value and quantity.
Dutiable shipments are subject to a customs duty, which is a tariff or tax imposed on goods when transported across international borders.
Duties Calculation
All types of shipments (including gifts, samples and goods for repair) go through an import clearance process as determined by custom’s regulations in the destination country. The shipment is cleared through customs based on the type of goods, origin country, the value and quantity. Dutiable shipments are subject to a customs duty, which is a tariff or tax imposed on goods when transported across international borders.
The calculation of duties depends, in most countries, on the assessable value of a dutiable shipment. For the purpose of this calculation, dutiable goods are given a classification code that is known as the Harmonized System code, which determines the applicable duty rate. This system is a multipurpose international product nomenclature developed by the World Customs Organization and continues to evolve.
DHL Express Prohibited and Restricted Items
Before you ship with DHL Express, it's important to check whether your items are prohibited or restricted.
If you are in any doubt as to the acceptability of your goods, please contact your DHL representative prior to shipping. For further information on country-specific prohibited or restricted items, contact Customer Service.
Standard DHL Express Prohibited Commodities
Prohibited commodities are not allowed for transport.
The following commodities are not accepted by DHL Express under any circumstances.
Live animals (including but not limited to mammals, reptiles, fish, invertebrates, amphibians, insects or birds)
Hunting (animal) trophies, animal parts such as ivory and sharks fin, animal remains, or animal-by-products or derived products not intended for human consumption, prohibited for movement by the CITES Convention or local law
Human remains or ashes in any form
Bullion (of any precious metal)
Cash (current legal tender as bank notes, currency notes, coins)
Loose precious and semi-precious stones (cut or uncut, polished or unpolished)
Complete firearms, ammunition, explosives, explosive devices, including inert explosives or test pieces, air guns, replica or imitation firearms or ammunition
Illegal goods, such as illicit drugs, included but not limited to narcotics stimulants, depressants or hallucinogens. Cannabis or its derivatives
Counterfeit goods in breach of intellectual property rights (IPR)
Property, the carriage of which is prohibited by any law, regulation or statute of any federal, state or local government of any country to or through which the shipment may be carried.
Standard DHL Express Restricted Commodities
The following items will NOT be accepted for carriage unless otherwise agreed to by DHL. To obtain such agreement a business case will need to be conducted by DHL and the items approved for carriage will be recorded in writing with the Customer.
Antiques, works of art and fine art with an individual value in excess of 500,000.00 EUR
Banderols/Tax stickers valued more than EUR 500,000.
Cigarettes, cigars, tobacco products and electronic cigarettes or accessories valued more than EUR 500,000. Electronic cigarettes and accessories require DHL Express approval.
Dangerous/hazardous goods including but not limited to perfumes, aftershaves, aerosols, flammable substances, dry ice, biological substances, UN classified dangerous goods and any goods specified as such under International Air Transport Association regulations (“IATA”), the Agreement on Dangerous Goods by Road ("ADR") or International Maritime Dangerous Goods ("IMDG") regulations.
Commemorative Coins or Medals, High Valuable Collectables, included but not limited to Comics or Books (First Editions), Trading Cards, Stamps, Memorabilia with a total or individual maximum value of EUR 2,000 are allowed for carriage.
Hunting (Animal) trophies and animal’s skins not intended for human consumption contained within Appendix II and Appendix III of CITES Convention (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild fauna and Flora).
Financial and monetary commodities valued more than EUR 500,000. Examples include activated SIM cards for mobile telephones, gift cards, event tickets, lottery tickets, money or postal orders, pre-paid phone cards, tickets (blank stock), vouchers/tokens, unused stamps etc.
Jewelry and watches valued more than EUR 10,000.
Toy guns, firearm parts, ammunition parts, Tasers or controlled military items. Firearm attachments, such as mountings, sights, night vision, gunstocks, silencers, torches, magazines or clips, flash suppressors and signature reduction devices.
Counterfeit Goods are Prohibited
DHL's security policy states that it is not allowed to transport counterfeit goods via the DHL network. DHL does not want to be associated with counterfeit goods and upon suspicion of such goods being imported, Customs will be informed.
If you are offered very low prices for branded goods that are sold on shopping websites or via other channels, you can normally assume that the goods are counterfeit.
High quality branded goods that are often copied are:
Shoes
Clothing
Bags
Expensive Watches
CDs and DVDs
Perfumes
Electronics
It is prohibited in many countries to introduce counterfeit goods and where proven the Customs authority will seize the goods and penalize the buyer.