Shopify Shipping with DHL Express

If you're shipping from a location in the continental United States, then you can buy Shopify Shipping labels from DHL Express and ship your packages to international addresses.

The shipping rates that you're charged are based on Shopify's account with DHL Express and includes free shipment pickups.

Considerations for shipping packages with DHL Express

Review the following considerations when using Shopify Shipping with DHL Express:

  • DHL Express ships only from the continental United States, and doesn't ship from Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Alaska.
  • You can ship only to international addresses. You can't ship to an address in the United States.
  • DHL Express doesn't ship from or to PO box addresses.
  • Shopify Shipping with DHL Express offers free shipment pickups.
  • In the event of a lost or damaged shipment, DHL Express must receive notice of a claim within 30 days after package pickup. For full details about DHL claims and liability, refer to getting support for DHL Express shipments.

Getting your products to DHL Express

You can drop off your products at a DHL drop-off location or schedule a pickup.

Schedule a DHL Express pickup

You can schedule a free pickup at your preferred date, time, and address. Pickups from DHL Express are free. Pickup times are based on the time zone of the pickup address.

You can schedule a pickup from 1 to 7 days in advance. Any pickup times are estimates and depend on traffic, weather, and pickup address. If you want to schedule multiple pickups, then you need to buy at least one DHL Express label.

Steps:

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Orders.

  2. To schedule a pickup, do either of the following:

    • To schedule a pickup immediately after you purchase a shipping label, in the Package pickup section, click Schedule pickup.
    • To schedule a pickup for an order that was fulfilled with DHL Express, open the order, click the ... icon, and then click Schedule pickup.
  3. In the Pickup address section, select the pickup address or enter a custom address. Custom addresses aren't saved for future pickups.

  4. In the Pickup details section, provide the following details:

    • contact name and phone number
    • pickup date and estimated pickup time
    • package location, such as a reception or a front door
    • any special instructions for the courier, such as an apartment number or a buzz code.
  5. Review the pickup summary, and then click Schedule pickup.

You can view your scheduled pickups from the Orders page in your Shopify admin.

If you need additional help with your scheduled pickup, then call DHL at 1-800-CALL DHL (1-800-225-5345) with your pickup confirmation number and your tracking number. You can find your pickup confirmation number in the order's Timeline.

Cancel a DHL Express pickup

You can cancel a scheduled pickup. If you try to cancel a pickup that is close to the scheduled time, then it might be too late and the driver still arrives at the schedule time.

Steps:

  1. From your Shopify admin, go to Orders.

  2. Click View pickups.

  3. Click Cancel pickup.

  4. Click Cancel pickup again to confirm.

International shipping with DHL Express

DHL Express offers international shipping from the continental United States using DHL Express Worldwide shipping service.

Description of DHL Express Worldwide international shipping service types
Shipping ServiceDelivery TimelineDescription
DHL Express Worldwide1-3 business daysShips to over 220 countries and territories worldwide.

Package requirements for DHL Express international shipments

DHL Express allows for the following maximum values on international shipments:

  • maximum weight is 154 lb (70 kg)
  • maximum length is 47.2 inches (120 cm)
  • maximum width is 31.5 inches (80 cm)
  • maximum height is 31.5 inches (80 cm)

For more information about package requirements, refer to the DHL Express website.

DHL Express labels and customs documents

You can reduce paper waste and speed up customs clearance by using Paperless Trade and paperless commercial invoicing when you ship with DHL Express. If you're shipping to a supported country, then your customs documentation is automatically submitted electronically, and you need to print only the shipping label.

Destination countries and regions that support Paperless Trade are covered in DHL Express' Digital Customs Invoice FAQ. If you're shipping to a non-supported country or region, then you need to print the customs forms and attach them to your shipment.

Delivery management options with DHL Express

Signature on delivery is DHL Express's default delivery requirement for all countries except for Canada. There's no additional charge for Signature Required service. Customers have the option to request alternative services using DHL Express's On Demand Delivery Service.

Your customers can use the following On Demand Delivery services:

  • reschedule the delivery date
  • leave the package with neighbor or concierge
  • collect the package from a service point
  • deliver to an alternative address
  • if the customer is on vacation, then hold the package in DHL facilities

For more information on delivery management options, refer to DHL On Demand Delivery website.

DHL Express prohibited items

Some items and commodities are restricted depending on where you're shipping to. Consult DHL's What Can I Ship webpage, and make sure you're familiar with your destination country's shipping regulations.

The following items are prohibited from being shipped using DHL Express:

  • counterfeit goods
  • live animals (for example, insects, pupae, or hatchlings)
  • bullion
  • currency
  • precious and semi-precious stones
  • weapons and ammunition
  • human remains or ashes
  • items considered illegal in your intended destination (for example, ivory or narcotics)

Packages containing prohibited items can't be shipped using DHL Express. In this case, DHL Express contacts you and returns your item.

Free DHL Express shipping supplies

You can order free shipping supplies by emailing DHL Express at USShopifySupplies@dhl.com. This link opens a template email in your preferred email client:

Getting support for DHL Express shipments

If you need help with your DHL Express shipment, such as rerouting a package or submitting a claim, then you can contact Shopify Support.

Submitting shipping claims for DHL Express shipments

If you're using DHL Express with Shopify Shipping and your DHL Express shipment is lost or damaged, then you can submit a shipping claim with Shopify Shipping Support.

Included insurance coverage for DHL Express shipments

DHL Express has limited coverage for shipments based on value or weight. To view the full details of possible claim reimbursement, refer to section 6.1 of the DHL Express Terms and Conditions of Carriage.

You can add shipping insurance when you buy a shipping label in your Shopify admin.

Submitting a claim for a lost or damaged DHL Express shipment

If your DHL Express shipment is lost or damaged, then submit a shipping claim in the Shopify admin.

You should submit your claim as soon as you discover that a package was lost or damaged. DHL Express must receive notice of a claim within 25 days after package pickup. Shopify Shipping Support also needs time to process and direct your claim to DHL before the liability period expires. More details can be found in Section 7 Claims of the DHL Express' Terms and Conditions of Carriage.

Include the following information in your claim:

  • description of the damage
  • the receiver's phone number
  • for damage claims, include photos of the damaged package and products

Requesting support for DHL Express shipments

If you're using DHL Express with Shopify Shipping and you need help, then you can contact:

Who to contact to get help with DHL Express and Shopify Shipping based on your needs
SituationContact
Get help before you buy a label.Shopify Support
Get assistance after buying a label, such as rerouting a package.Shopify Support
Submit a claim. Submit a shipping claim in the Shopify admin.
To learn more about submitting a claim for a DHL Express shipment, refer to Submit a claim.
Dispute a shipping adjustment.Shopify Support
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