Preparing International Shipments

DHL has the world's largest express global delivery network and we ship to more international destinations than any other carrier. So whether you're exporting shipments to any of the more than 220 countries and territories served by DHL or importing shipments into the U.S. - there's no faster, easier and more convenient way to ship around the globe.

Choose which DHL shipping service you would like to learn about:

DHL Same Day

  • Jetline
  • Sprintline
  • Secureline
Select

Time Definite Import Services

  • DHL IMPORT EXPRESS 10:30
  • DHL IMPORT EXPRESS 12:00
  • DHL IMPORT EXPRESS WORLDWIDE
Select

Time Definite Export Services

  • DHL EXPRESS 9:00
  • DHL EXPRESS 10:30
  • DHL EXPRESS 12:00
  • DHL EXPRESS WORLDWIDE
  • DHL EXPRESS ENVELOPE
Select
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DHL Same Day

Our dedicated delivery network can be counted on for door-to-door pickup and delivery of your time-critical materials to more than 200 countries worldwide on the next flight out, 24/7/365. Services include:

  • Jetline — shipment sent by next available commercial flight.
  • Sprintline — shipment delivered by ground vehicle.
  • Secureline — shipment delivered by onboard courier or chartered aircraft.

Optional services:

  • Charter service
  • Door-to-door
  • Door-to-airport
  • Freight service
  • Hand carry
  • Hold for pickup

To use DHL Same Day, you must have a DHL customer account. You will need to meet the following requirements in order to be approved for an account:

  • Export Only — minimum of two shipments per month with a minimum monthly expenditure of $300.
  • Import Only — minimum of one shipment per month, no dollar minimum.
  • Import and Export — minimum of one shipment each, no dollar minimum.
  • Request a DHL customer account by filling out and submitting the form on our Request an Account page. A DHL customer account representative will contact you.
Request a DHL customer account

For DHL Same Day service rate quotes or to schedule a DHL Same Day delivery, call our toll free customer service line: 1-800-DHL-ASAP (1-800-345-2727).

Learn more about DHL Same Day
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selection
  • 1. Selecting an Import Shipping Service
  • 2. Obtaining Rate Quotes
  • 3. Preparing Your Shipment
  • 4. Arranging for Drop Off or Pickup
  • 1. Overview
  • 2. Optional Service Additions

Overview

DHL time definite import services allow you to take greater control of your imports by consolidating all of your shipments and billing into one easy-to-use import solution using one company and in one currency of your choice. There is no faster, simpler way to manage your imports.

  • Time Definite Import Services into the U.S.
    • DHL IMPORT EXPRESS 10:30 — guaranteed delivery by 10:30am the next possible business day.
    • DHL IMPORT EXPRESS 12:00 — guaranteed delivery by 12:00 noon the next possible business day.
    • DHL IMPORT EXPRESS WORLDWIDE — guaranteed delivery by end of the next possible business day.
  • Worldwide Reach — Our state-of-the-art hubs in every region of the world—from Cincinnati to Shanghai to Bahrain, Panama, England and Leipzig - keep your shipments moving at full speed.
  • Faster Delivery — In-house customs brokers using state-of-the-art technology provide a streamlined clearance process and a faster service for you and your customers.
  • Quality Control — Our pioneering Quality Control Center in Cincinnati, combined with five others around the world, allow us to coordinate information worldwide 24/7.
  • Shipment Tracking — Track shipments in real-time online by account number, waybill and more. Receive notifications by email or SMS text message.
  • Safety and Security — Your package stays with DHL door-to-door, with no third-party forwarder involved.

Optional Service Additions

DHL offers a variety of Optional Services that extend your shipping choices – from providing a hard copy of the proof of delivery to offsetting the carbon footprint of your shipments. Our flexible choice of service enhancements provide added convenience to meet all your international express delivery needs.

Learn more about Optional Service Additions

For more information about DHL Optional Services download the DHL Express Rate & Transit Guide

Download the DHL Express Rate & Transit Guide 2013

Obtaining rate quotes

Determine the cost of your shipment by downloading the DHL EXPRESS Rate & Transit Guide.

Download the DHL Express Rate & Transit Guide 2013
  • 1. About DHL Import Express Online
  • 2. Registering with DHL Import Express Online
  • 3. Using DHL Import Express Online

About DHL Import Express Online

DHL Import Express Online provides both Importers and Shippers the online tools they need to efficiently communicate and control their shipments. Here's how it works:

  • Importers prepare and send shipment instructions to their shippers online (shippers are automatically sent a notification once shipment instructions are entered into the system).
  • Shippers accept the instructions and schedule a pickup on the system.
  • A DHL courier picks up the shipment at the pickup time requested through the system.
  • Upon shipping, Importers and Receivers obtain automatic notifications about the impending delivery (if this option is selected by the Importer).
  • Shipments are delivered to Receivers.

Find out more about how DHL Import Express Online can help your business.

Download the DHL Import Express Online brochure (PDF)

Registering with DHL Import Express Online

Request a DHL IMPORT EXPRESS Account

In order to use DHL IMPORT EXPRESS to import shipments into the U.S., you must request an account. A minimum of one import shipment per month is required. Just fill out the registration form on the Request an Account page and a DHL customer service representative will contact you.

Request a DHL IMPORT EXPRESS account

DHL Import Express Online Registration

To take advantage of the many benefits of DHL Import Express Online — even though you may be a DHL IMPORT EXPRESS account holder—you'll need to register with the online service. Just fill out the form on the registration page. Make sure you have your DHL IMPORT EXPRESS account numbers handy.

Register for DHL Import Express Online

Note: To use DHL Import Express Online, only the Importer requires a DHL IMPORT EXPRESS account. It's not necessary for the Shipper to have one, too.

Using DHL IMPORT EXPRESS Online

With DHL Import Express Online, you can authorize Shippers with either a:

  • Single Shipment Instruction - allow Shippers to ship one time to the Receiver using your DHL IMPORT EXPRESS account.
  • Standing Authorization - allow shippers to ship anytime to the Receiver using your DHL IMPORT EXPRESS account.

DHL Import Express Online even allows you to select a language for your Shipper instructions to help ensure effective communications between all parties.

Download the DHL Import Express Online User Guide

Arranging for Drop Off or Pickup

Customers with higher monthly shipping volumes may be able to set up regular pickups for your Shipper. For more information, contact your DHL sales representative.

To schedule an individual pickup, use DHL Import Express Online:

  • Select the "Schedule pickup" tab.
  • Enter pickup information, including package location, special instructions and pickup date and time.
  • If you have more than one shipment to make, you don't have to schedule more than one pickup.
  • Pickups can be scheduled several days in advance, depending on the country.
  • When everything on the form is complete, click the "Schedule new pickup" button to continue, review the pickup instructions and click "Done."
Back to
service
selection
  • 1. Selecting an Export Shipping Service
  • 2. Obtaining Rate Quotes
  • 3. Processing Your Shipment
  • 4. Completing Documentation
  • 5. Arranging for Drop Off or Pickup
  • 1. Overview
  • 2. Optional Service Additions
  • 3. DHL Capability Tool

Overview

DHL Express provides time definite export services that allow you to ship goods to virtually anywhere in the world by a specific time or by the end of the next possible business day. Working with the world's largest global network means your exports move quickly, reliably and safely with one easy-to-use export account for all of your document and non-document shipments. With DHL Express, you'll enjoy:

  • Time Definite Export Services
    • DHL EXPRESS 9:00 — guaranteed delivery by 9:00am the next possible business day.
    • DHL EXPRESS 10:30 — guaranteed delivery by 10:30am the next possible business day.
    • DHL EXPRESS 12:00 — guaranteed delivery by 12:00 noon the next possible business day.
    • DHL EXPRESS WORLDWIDE — guaranteed delivery by end of the next possible business day.
    • DHL EXPRESS ENVELOPE — guaranteed delivery of document weighing up to 8 oz or 0.5 lb by end of next possible business day.
  • Faster Delivery — In-house customs brokers using state-of-the-art technology provide a streamlined clearance process and a faster service for you and your customers.
  • Worldwide Reach — Our state-of-the-art hubs in every region of the world - from Cincinnati to Shanghai to Bahrain, Panama, England and Leipzig - keep your shipments moving at full speed.
  • Quality Control — Our pioneering Quality Control Center in Cincinnati, combined with five others around the world, allow us to coordinate information worldwide 24/7.
  • Shipment Tracking — Track shipments in real-time online by account number, waybill, and more. Receive notifications by email or SMS text message.
  • Safety and Security — Your package stays with DHL door-to-door, with no third-party forwarder involved.

Optional Service Additions

DHL offers a variety of Optional Services that extend your shipping choices – from providing a hard copy of the proof of delivery to offsetting the carbon footprint of your shipments. Our flexible choice of service enhancements provide added convenience to meet all your international express delivery needs.

Learn more about Optional Service Additions

For more information about DHL Optional Services download the DHL Express Rate & Transit Guide

Download the DHL Express Rate & Transit Guide 2013

DHL Capability Tool

Discover what DHL shipping services are available for any export shipment by using our online DHL Capability Tool. You'll also find your shipment's expected arrival and transit time.

To access the DHL Capability Tool

  • Go to DHL-USA.com
  • Using the top navigation bar, click "Express", then "Shipping" and scroll down to "Get Transit Time Quote"
Try the DHL Capability Tool

Obtaining rate quotes

Get a quote for the cost of your shipment, including any surcharges for Pickup Services and Shipment Value Protection. Currently rate quotes are only available for outbound shipments from the U.S.

To get a rate for any express shipment:

  • Go to DHL-USA.com
  • Click "Express" on the top navigation bar, select "My DHL Express" to login for your shipping rates
  • Quickly provide a few details and click "Get Rate Quote"
Go to the Rate Calculator

For more information about DHL Optional Services & Surcharges download the DHL Express Rate & Transit Guide

Download the DHL Express Rate & Transit Guide 2013
  • 1. DHL Webship/CorporateShip
  • 2. DHL EasyShip
  • 3. Manually Filling Out Waybill

DHL WebShip/CorporateShip

The web solutions on DHL-USA.com include two online shipping options, DHL WebShip and DHL CorporateShip. DHL WebShip enables you to create waybills, submit Customs documents, file your ITN and print waybills to affix to your shipments. DHL CorporateShip allows you to set shipping parameters for multiple users and customize their individual access to ship online while controlling account usage.

Watch the DHL WebShip demo
Download the DHL WebShip Quick Reference Guide (PDF)
Learn more about DHL CorporateShip

Waybill Printing Tips

  • If shipping waybills won't print, try turning off your Internet browser's pop-up blockers.
  • If waybills are cut off when printing, turn off "Page Scaling" in your Adobe Acrobat Reader:
    • Choose "Print" from Reader's "File" menu.
    • Select "None" for Page Scaling under "Page Handling."
    • Select "Print."

Ordering Free DHL Waybills

DHL provides waybills and waybill sleeves for registered DHL WebShip users (the self-adhesive, clear window pouches in which you place your shipment documents) free of charge. To order:

  • Go to DHL-USA.com
  • Using the top navigation bar, click "Express" and select "My DHL Express"
  • Login, scroll down, and click on "Order Supplies"
  • Complete the online order form and click "Next"
  • Provide the address where you would like to receive the supplies and click "Next" to receive a confirmation screen

DHL EasyShip

If your company prepares hundreds of shipments a month, DHL EasyShip may be the perfect service for you. DHL EasyShip helps streamline the process of shipments by integrating with your business’s systems. From easy-to-use PC software to straightforward shipping management or fully-integrated business solutions, DHL EasyShip provides a high level of integration, security and flexibility for any business with a central shipping function.

We’re happy to discuss the right solution for you, contact your DHL Express Sales Representative to discuss your company’s shipping profile.

Learn more about DHL EasyShip
Request the DHL EasyShip solution

Manually Filling Out a Waybill

For assistance in filling out a waybill, go to the Help: Paper International Waybill page.

Tips

  • Do not use abbreviations when completing your waybill.
  • When attaching your waybill to your shipment, keep the bottom copy of your completed waybill for your records and attach the top copy to your shipment.
  • Avoid the edges of your package when affixing the waybill to prevent tearing or damage.
  • 1. Paperless Clearance
  • 2. Electronic Export Information (EEI)
  • 3. Other Documentation

Paperless Clearance

Paperless Clearance allows you to electronically transmit documents to customs, eliminating the need to print and manually attach them to shipments. This will help you increase the efficiency of your customs clearance process and avoid costly delays caused by handwritten, misread customs documentation – all while making a positive contribution to the environment while saving paper and reducing print waste.

The shipping solution you use will provide the option of making Paperless Clearance your preferred document preparation method.

  • For DHL WebShip, log in ship online and click Paperless Clearance in the left-hand navigation. You will be prompted to set your preferences, upload your logo and add a signature. Then agree to the Terms of Use.
  • For DHL EasyShip, check to see which version of DHL EasyShip you are using. If it is any release prior to DHL EasyShip version 9.1, you will need to upgrade to the latest version first. Once you have a compatible version, agree to the Terms and Conditions for Paperless Clearance, and you will be provided with an opportunity to upload a logo and signature to be used on all your DHL-generated documents

Learn more about Paperless Clearance

Electronic Export Information (EEI)

When your company makes a shipment valued over $2,500, the U.S. requires filing Electronic Export Information (EEI) to receive an Internal Transaction Number (ITN), which is necessary for export. You can designate DHL to be your EEI filing agent at the same time you prepare your waybill. Enter your EEI, complete and print your waybill, then affix it to your shipment. We’ll add the ITN while the shipment is in transit. It’s that easy!

Learn more about filing an EEI

Other Documentation

Trade Automation Service (TAS)

Find out whether your export shipment requires additional documentation filings using our free online Trade Automation Service (TAS) tool. TAS provides you with essential customs information needed for international shipping, including:

  • Comparing duties, taxes and regulations for multiple countries at once.
  • Getting a complete breakdown of landed cost estimates.
  • Obtaining relevant shipment documentation and information about trade regulations, licensing requirements and a convenient product classification code tool.
Register for TAS today

Click "Register as a New User" and complete the registration form.

Download the TAS brochure (PDF)
Download the TAS Quick Reference Guide (PDF)

Document Preparation Services

For more information ask your sales representative or download the DHL Express Rate & Transit Guide

Download the DHL Express Rate & Transit Guide 2013

Arranging for Drop Off or Pickup

Once you've made all the necessary preparations for a DHL EXPRESS shipment, you have two choices for getting the actual shipment to DHL.

Drop Off

Locate a DHL Drop Box or DHL Drop Off facility near you

Arrange a Pickup

There is a fee for one-time pickups. Customers with higher monthly shipping volumes may be able to schedule regular pickups—contact your sales representative to find out.

Schedule a one-time pickup
Cancel a scheduled pickup