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Get to Know DHL eCommerce

Updated over 3 weeks ago
A man in DHL uniform delivering packages

DHL is a multinational logistics company, headquartered in Germany, that provides courier, package delivery, express mail, and freight forwarding services worldwide. Founded in 1969 by Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom, and Robert Lynn, the company operates under the umbrella of Deutsche Post DHL Group, the world's largest postal and logistics company.

DHL serves businesses and individuals in over 220 countries and territories, offering a range of solutions from same-day deliveries to complex global supply chain management.

This page will provide information on the DHL eCommerce services available through Shippit.

Benefits of using DHL eCommerce

✔ Great serviceability worldwide

✔ International delivery service

✔ Multiple delivery choices


Compatibility

Refer to our Carrier Services for full compatibility, limitations, and restrictions.

For a full list of restrictions in the DHL eCommerce network, see DHL eCommerce Prohibited Goods

Suitable for

Not suitable for

  • Goods under 70kg in weight and 1.05m in length

  • Light weight e-commerce goods

  • Ideal for clothing & apparel, footwear, small homewares and small consumer goods

  • Alcohol with prior approval

  • Limited qty dangerous goods

  • Approved restricted and special goods

  • Goods over 70kg in weight or 1.05m in length

  • Palletised freight

  • Dangerous goods


Integration

Services available

The Shippit integration currently allows for BYO integration only supporting the below services:

Carrier Service Level

Shippit Service Level

  • DHL eCommerce standard international

  • Standard international


Restricted & Dangerous Goods

Below is a current list of prohibited & restricted goods not accepted in the DHL eCommerce network however this is subject to change. For the most up-to-date information please always refer to DHL E-Commerce - Restricted & Prohibited Goods

Prohibited Goods (goods you are NOT allowed to send)

  • Animals (including insects, hatching eggs)

  • Bullion

  • Counterfeit or pirated goods

  • Currency

  • Dangerous goods, hazardous or combustible materials

  • Drugs and narcotics (illegal)

  • Firearms, weapons, ammunition (including replicas)

  • Human remains (including ashes)

  • Irreplaceable items

  • Knives

  • Negotiable instruments in Bearer Form

  • Pornography

  • Any item(s), the carriage of which is prohibited by any law, regulation or state of any federal, state or local government to or through which the shipment may be carried.

Restricted Goods (goods that can be sent but with some limitations or restrictions)

  • Limited qty dangerous goods

  • Alcoholic beverages (e.g. beer, wine, spirits)

  • Animal products, plant products and plants (e.g. animal skins, cotton, seeds, teas)

  • Antiques or Fine Art or Works of Art

  • Collectibles and/or rare items (any item worth more than its original purchase or that is not commonly available)

  • Drugs and pharmaceutical products

  • Foreign lotteries (including circulars)

  • Fur(s)/ivory/endangered animal products

  • Industrial diamonds/carbons

  • Medical samples

  • Milk powder

  • Negotiable instruments in Non-bearer Form

  • Perishable items (e.g. flowers, foodstuffs, items requiring temperature control or special handling)

  • Precious metals and stones (including jewellery)

  • Publications (certain types may be restricted by law)

  • Soil, earth

  • Tobacco

  • Watches, costume jewelry

Important note around shipping dangerous goods with DHL eCommerce through Shippit.

As DHL eCommerce services are only BYO, all restricted & dangerous goods must be approved by the carrier prior to shipping.

DHL eCommerce only allow limited qty dangerous goods to be sent internationally so a DG flag is not required through the API when manifesting orders. Customers must comply with required ‘limited qty DG’ labelling.

Dangerous Goods (goods subject to hazardous goods shipping regulation)

  • Any aerosols, including: hair spray and deodorants

  • Air bag inflators and modules or seat-belt pretensioners

  • Alcoholic beverages containing >24% alcohol by volume

  • Batteries classified as dangerous such as wet spillable/non spillable lead-acid/alkaline batteries

  • Batteries/cells including: lithium-ion/polymer/metal – alone and in or with electronic devices

  • Carbon dioxide, solid (Dry Ice)

  • Corrosives such as: acids, corrosive paint and dyes, rust removers

  • Environmental waste including: used engine oil and used or damaged batteries

  • Explosives or ammunition such as: fireworks, flares and sparklers

  • Flammable liquids such as: acetone, lighter fluid, solvent based paints

  • Flammable solids including: magnesium and potassium

  • Gases including: flammable, non flammable, compressed and toxic gases such as fire extinguishers and scuba tanks

  • Infectious and/or biological substances expected to contain pathogens or other agents such as: bacteria, viruses, parasites, prions

  • Matches, lighters or lighter refills including: cigarette lighters containing petrol and butane lighters

  • Oxidizing materials or organic peroxides such as disinfectants and hair dyes

  • Pesticides, toxic herbicides and insecticides or poisons toxic substances

You can refer to the below articles for help with what limited qty DG can be sent using DHL eCommerce:


Duties and taxes

Duties and taxes can vary from region to region, and depending on your own configuration. Always check the full terms of carriage with your carrier, and the customs requirements for the country you are shipping to beforehand.

DHL Express offer the below duty & tax payment options:

  • DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) / DTP (Duties & Taxes Paid): The shipper or account holder pays all customs duties and taxes upfront, ensuring faster delivery to the recipient.

  • DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid): The receiver is responsible for paying duties and taxes upon delivery.

Please refer to the below links for more information:

🇬🇧 Shipping to the United Kingdom

If you are using DHL eCommerce to ship goods to the United Kingdom (UK), you do not need to supply a UK VAT number in your Shippit account, regardless of the value of the goods you are shipping.

If you are shipping DDP, all dutiable amounts are billed to the recipient, so no tax identifiers for the consignee are required.

If you are shipping DDU/DAP, DHL eCommerce might contact the consignee with a form to request UK VAT details, if it is required.


Packaging Guidelines

Items should be wrapped in a way that will ensure safety for the delivery person and the customer. It is your responsibility to package items correctly. Packaging should comply with Australian consumer and transport laws.


Insurance

Complimentary loss or damage insurance is not included when booking with DHL Express through Shippit unless you have it included in your own BYO account.

Alternatively, you can enable Shippit Transit Protection to cover your orders for loss and damage.


Surcharges

Charges that can be identified at the time of booking are included in the API quote at the time of booking however additional surcharges may apply for undeclared goods or special goods. For more information, see the Carrier Surcharge Article.


Activation

To set up your BYO integration simply contact our Configuration Team.

Our team will review your details and usually get back to you in 1-3 business days. However, account activation can take 1-2 weeks to complete.

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