DHL Express

DHL Express Terms and Conditions of Carriage for Domestic Services

When ordering DHL’s services you, as “Shipper”, are agreeing, on your behalf and on behalf of the receiver of the Shipment (”Receiver”) and anyone else with an interest in the Shipment, that the Terms and Conditions shall apply.

“Shipment” means all documents or parcels that travel under one waybill and which may be carried by any means DHL chooses, including air, road or any other carrier. A “waybill” shall include any Shipment identifier or document produced by DHL or Shipper automated systems such as label, barcode, waybill or consignment note as well as any electronic version thereof. Every Shipment is transported on a limited liability basis as provided herein. If Shipper requires greater protection, then insurance may be arranged at an additional cost. (Please see below for further information). “DHL” means any member of the DHL Worldwide Express Network. 

1. Unacceptable Shipments

A Shipment is deemed unacceptable if:

  • no customs declaration is made when required by applicable customs regulations; or
  • it contains counterfeit goods, animals, precious metal, bullion, currency, gem stones; weapons, explosives and ammunition, explosive devices or test pieces, air guns, replica or imitation firearms; human remains or ashes; prohibited animal parts or remains, such as ivory; illegal items, such as narcotics or other illegal drugs; or
  • it is classified as hazardous material, dangerous goods, prohibited or restricted articles by European Agreement concerning the international carriage of Dangerous goods by Road, any applicable government department or other relevant organisation;
  • its address is incorrect or not properly marked or its packaging is defective or inadequate to ensure safe transportation with ordinary care in handling;
  • It contains any other item which DHL decides it cannot transport an item safely or legally; or
  • Shipper, Receiver or any other party with direct or indirect interest in the Shipment is listed on any applicable sanctions lists as a denied or restricted party.

2. Deliveries & Undeliverables

Shipments cannot be delivered to PO Boxes or postal codes. Shipments are delivered, if not otherwise agreed, during office hours in the

Receiver’s address given by Shipper but not necessarily to the named Receiver personally. Shipments to addresses with a central receiving area will be delivered to that area.

DHL may notify Receiver of an upcoming delivery or a missed delivery. Receiver may be offered alternative delivery options such as delivery on another day, no signature required, redirection or collection at a DHL Service Point.

If the Shipment is deemed to be unacceptable, or Receiver cannot be reasonably identified or located or Receiver refuses delivery or to pay Shipment charges, DHL shall use reasonable efforts to return the Shipment to Shipper at Shipper’s cost. If this is not possible,  the Shipment may be released, abandoned, disposed of or sold by DHL without incurring any liability whatsoever to Shipper or anyone else. DHL shall have the right to destroy any Shipment which any law or law enforcement agency prevents DHL from returning in whole or in part to Shipper as well as any Shipment of Dangerous Goods.

3. Inspection

DHL has the right to open and inspect a Shipment without prior notice for safety, security, customs or other regulatory reasons.

4. Shipment Charges & Fees

DHL’s Shipment charges are calculated according to the higher of actual or volumetric weight and any Shipment may be re-weighed and re-measured by DHL to confirm this calculation.

Shipper, or Receiver when DHL acts on Receiver’s behalf, shall pay or reimburse DHL for all Shipment or other charges due such as, storage charges owed for services provided by DHL or incurred by DHL on Shipper’s or Receiver’s behalf. Payment may be requested prior to delivery.

5. DHL’s Liability

5.1 DHL’s liability in respect of any one Shipment transported is limited to the lower of the following: (i) actual cash value of the Shipment or (ii) for Shipments transported by road in Finland according to Finnish Act on Contract of Carriage of Goods by Road: 20,00€ /kilogram of the gross weight of each kilogram of goods missing.

If Shipper regards these limits as insufficient it must make a special declaration of value and request insurance as described in Section 7 or make its own insurance arrangements.

DHL’s liability is strictly limited to direct loss and damage to a Shipment only and to the per kilogram limits in this Section 5. All other types of loss or damage are excluded (including but not limited to lost profits, income, interest, future business), whether such loss or damage is special or indirect, and even if the risk of such loss or damage was brought to DHL’s attention.

5.2 DHL will make every reasonable effort to deliver the Shipment according to DHL’s regular delivery schedules, but these schedules are not binding and do not form part of the contract. DHL is not liable for any damages or loss caused by delay.

6. Time Limits for Claims

In case of apparent loss of or damage to the Shipment reservations must be made upon delivery or in other cases no later than within 7

days of the delivery. All claims must be submitted in writing to DHL within one (1) year period of limitation due to the article 41 § of the Finnish Act on Contract of Carriage of Goods by Road. Claims are limited to one claim per Shipment, settlement of which will be full and final settlement for all loss or damage in connection therewith.

7. Shipment Insurance (Not available for mail service)

DHL may be able to arrange insurance covering the value in respect of loss of or damage to the Shipment, provided the Shipper so instructs DHL in writing, including by completing the insurance section on the front of the waybill or by DHL’s automated systems and pays the applicable premium. Shipment insurance does not cover indirect loss or damage, or loss or damage caused by delays.

8. Circumstances beyond DHL’s control

DHL is not liable for any loss or damage arising out of circumstances beyond DHL’s control. These include but are not limited to: electrical or magnetic damage to, or erasure of, electronic or photographic images, data or recordings; any defect or characteristic related to the nature of the Shipment, even if known to DHL; any act or omission by a person not employed or contracted by DHL e.g. Shipper, Receiver, third party, customs or other official ; third party cyber-attacks or other information security related threats; “ Force Majeure” - e.g. earthquake, cyclone, storm, flood, fog, war, plane crash or embargo, riot or civil commotion,  industrial action, epidemic, pandemic, interruption of supply of energy or public transportation..

9. Shipper’s Warranties and Indemnity

Shipper shall indemnify and hold DHL and its directors, officers, employees and agents harmless for any loss or damage arising out of Shipper’s failure to comply with the following warranties and representations:

  • all information provided by Shipper or its representatives is complete and accurate. Shipper has provided all information, permits, licenses or other government authorizations and documents, as required by applicable law or upon request from DHL, and all information, permits, licenses or other government authorizations and documents provided by Shipper or its representatives are true, complete and accurate, including the value and description of the goods and Shipper and Consignee information;
  • the Shipment is acceptable for transport under Section 1 above;
  • the Shipment was prepared in secure premises by reliable persons and was protected against unauthorized interference during preparation, storage and any transportation to DHL;
  • Shipper has complied with all applicable customs, import, export, data protection laws, sanctions, embargos and other laws and regulations; and
  • Shipper has obtained all necessary consents in relation to personal data provided to DHL including Receiver’s data as may be required for transport, customs clearance and delivery, such as e-mail address and mobile phone number.

10. Routing

Shipper agrees to all routing and diversion, including the possibility that the Shipment may be carried via intermediate stopping places.

11. Governing Law

Any dispute arising under or in any way connected with these Terms and Conditions shall be submitted to district court of DHL’s domicile and governed by the laws of Republic of Finland excluding its international choice of law provisions.

12. Amendments to the Terms and Conditions and Severability

DHL reserves the right at any time to amend or update these Terms and Conditions as well its product and service descriptions. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not affect any other part of these Terms and Conditions.

Valid as of 21.02.2022 

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