DHL Express (Import)

General Information

Our DHL Express Import  services offer both premium and economical imports from virtually every country in the world. These services enable you to import goods through the network of one of the world’s leading global carriers at an excellent price. Both our premium DHL Express Worldwide Import service and road-based DHL Economy Select Import service are fully trackable from your designated collection point through to delivery and you can easily book a collection online.

	Suitable for:	Information	UK	Europe	International
	Documents Parcels Pallets	Premium worldwide express import service by air from over 200 international destinations.		Estimated Transit Time (Europe)* Next business day delivery from most European gateway cities 2 days from Cyprus	Estimated Transit Time (International)* Singapore - 1 day USA - 2 days Australia - 2 days Asia (inc. China, Taiwan and Japan) - 2 days
	Documents Parcels Pallets	Economical, road-based import service from most European countries into the UK		Estimated Transit Time (Europe)* 2-5 days from most European Gateway cities

*These estimates are based on your goods being transported between major gateway cities. If your collection address or delivery address is more remote, please allow extra time for delivery. You can access more accurate transit time estimates by entering your collection and delivery postcodes here.

Our carrier also publishes an overview of transit times per country and service. You can access it here.

How It Works...

• When making a booking, you set the day of collection. Please note that this is subject to service restrictions at weekends and local public holidays.
• Your shipping documentation will be emailed to you within an hour of placing your order.*
• You then need to forward all documentation to your collection point in time for collection. We will happily do this on your behalf, at your request. Please ensure that your collection point is able to attach your shipping label to your parcel and print any other required documentation in time for the collection.
• As soon as your parcel has been collected, you can trace its progress by entering your TP reference into our tracking tool.

*Please note that import orders placed outside of working hours will be attended to on the next working day.

Your Customs Invoice

When importing from outside of the EU, your shipment must be accompanied by four copies of a Customs Invoice. This is a document required for customs clearance which details the content and value of your shipment.

For your convenience, we generate a Customs Invoice as a part of the booking process. This will be available in your "My Account" area after your booking. You will need to forward to the collection point who should print four copies and hand these to the driver. Please ensure your collection point is aware of this to avoid your collection being delayed.

Customs Clearance: when importing from non-EU countries, your shipment will be subject to customs clearance and may be charged import duty and tax. We strongly recommend customers check with HMRC for further advice. You can also see our Customs Advice page for more information.

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 piece weight (non-palletised): 70kg
• Maximum dimensions per item (non-palletised): 120 x 80 x 80 cm high
• Maximum piece weight (palletised): 1000 kg
• Maximum dimensions per item (palletised): 120 x 100 x 160 cm high

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.

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 calculates volumetric weight 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

Surcharges

*DHL Express Worldwide is an air service; DHL Economy Select is a road service.

Prohibited Items

• Our list of hazardous, prohibited and owner’s risk items is available here.
• For up-to-date information specific to the carrier, please check their prohibited items page. Please note that prohibited items are subject to vary depending on your delivery destination.
• 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 Sat).