DHL Express

General Information

With a presence in over 220 countries and territories across the globe, DHL has one of the most extensive international networks in the world. The DHL Express division is a global market leader in door-to-door courier services. We are proud to offer three premium DHL Express services: DHL Express Worldwide, DHL Economy Select and DHL Domestic Express.

Please see the table below for an at-a-glance comparison of the DHL courier service we offer:

	Suitable for:	Information	UK	Europe	Rest of World
	Documents Parcels Pallets	Premium worldwide express service by air to more than 220 countries and territories		Estimated Transit Time (Europe) Next business day delivery to most European gateway cities*	Estimated Transit Time (Worldwide) 1+ days to most countries worldwide*
	Documents Parcels Pallets	Highly economical road-based service to 30 European destinations and territories		Estimated Transit Time (Europe) 1-5 business days depending on destination country*
	Documents Parcels Pallets	UK delivery by the end of the next working day	Estimated Transit Time (UK) Next business day delivery to most postcodes

*You can access more accurate transit time estimates by entering your collection and delivery postcodes here.

DHL also publish an overview of transit times per country and service. You can access it here.

Saturday Collections

Saturday collections are available for DHL courier services. You will be given this option during booking.

Saturday Delivery

Saturday delivery is available for DHL Domestic Express. Your parcel must be collected or dropped off at a DHL depot on a Friday, before the cut-off time.

Packing Requirements

DHL Express introduced new packing requirements as of 1st June 2018.

Lighter goods (weighing less than 30kg) can be boxed. Caution should be taken over structurally weak, long and narrow cardboard packaging (more than 120cm long), which you will need to reinforce.

Use double-walled boxes and ensure a distance of 6cm between the contents and walls of the box. Fill all void space using cushioning material.

When sealing, use pressure-sensitive tape of at least 28mm width. Use an H-taping method: tape both ends of the box as well as where the flaps close. Seal all edges and seams.

Apply your labels to the top face of your package. They must be applied to a single surface.

For goods 30kg-70kg in weight, DHL recommends using a pallet or crate. If using a box, it must be capable of supporting the full weight of the goods. For goods heavier than 70kg, you must use a pallet or crate. Use quality hard wood for crates and brace them diagonally to increase strength. The wood must be heat or chemically treated prior to use.

Items on a pallet must be secured in place, with a level and even surface on top. Boxes should not overhang the pallet's edge.

DHL Express will not pick up goods that are improperly packed.

Size and Weight Restrictions

Restrictions may vary depending on the destination of your shipment. The following information is provided as a general guide:

• Maximum dimensions per item: 120 x 120 x 150 cm high
• Maximum recommended weight for parcels: 70 kg (DHL are often flexible as to maximum weight, but please be prepared to assist drivers with parcels weighing more than 31.5kg)
• Maximum weight for palletised goods: 1000kg

For multi-piece shipments, DHL calculates the actual weight or the volumetric weight of each parcel (whichever is greater) and then adds them all together, rather than calculating the total weight or volume of the whole consignment.

For French Guinana, there is a temporary maximum weight per shipment of 45kg (as of 22nd June 2020).

For Guadeloupe and Martinique, there is a temporary maximum weight per shipment of 150kg (as of 27th July 2020).

Please see our coronavirus service updates for more information.

Volumetric Weight

Your shipment will be charged by either actual weight or volumetric weight – whichever is greater.

Volumetric weight is a value derived from the size rather than the weight of your parcel and may apply if your parcel is particularly large and contains relatively light items.

DHL Express Worldwide and DHL Domestic Express calculates volumetric weight on import services from countries outside of the EU, by multiplying the three dimensions of your parcel together and dividing by 5000.

For example:

Service	Parcel Weight	Actual Weight	Dimensions	Divisor	Volumetric Weight	Chargeable Weight
	10kg	10kg	50 x 30 x 20cm	5000	6kg	10kg
	10kg	10kg	50 x 60 x 40cm	5000	24kg	24kg

DHL Economy Select calculate volumetric weight by multiplying the three dimensions of your parcel together and dividing by 4000. The above calculations would apply however the 'divisor' in the calculation would be 4000.

Surcharges

*DHL Express Worldwide is an air service; DHL Economy Select and DHL Domestic Express are road services.

Please note that any surcharges on deliveries to EU countries are subject to VAT.

Prohibited Items

• Our list of hazardous, prohibited and owner’s risk items is available here.
• For up-to-date information specific to DHL, please check their prohibited items page. Please note that prohibited items are subject to vary depending on your delivery destination.
• Sending jewellery or watches? Refer to our Jewellery & Watches information page for carrier specific restrictions.
• If you’d like advice on whether or not your items are prohibited, please contact our Customer Services team via Live Chat, email or telephone (0345 145 1212 8:00am-6:30pm Mon-Fri, 9:00am-1:00pm Saturdays).