DHL Express

DHL Express Prohibited Items

Before you ship with DHL Express, it's important to check whether your items are prohibited or restricted.
The following commodities are not accepted by DHL Express under any circumstances.
  • Live animals (including but not limited to mammals, reptiles, fish, invertebrates, amphibians, birds, insects, larvae and pupae)
  • Hunting (animal) trophies, animal parts such as ivory and sharks fin, animal remains or ashes, animal by-products
  • Human remains or ashes
  • Bullion (of any precious metal)
  • Cash (legal tender - bank notes, currency notes, coins) and travellers cheques
  • Loose precious and semi-precious stones (cut or un-cut, polished or un-polished)
  • Complete original and imitation firearms and firearm parts, ammunition, explosives / explosive devices
  • Illegal goods, such as counterfeit goods and narcotics
Property, the carriage of which is prohibited by any law, regulation or statute of any federal, state or local government of any country to or through which the shipment may be carried.
If you are in any doubt as to the acceptability of your goods, please contact your DHL representative prior to shipping.
DHL's security policy states that it is not allowed to transport counterfeit goods via the DHL network. DHL does not want to be associated with counterfeit goods and upon suspicion of such goods being imported, Customs will be informed.
If you are offered very low prices for branded goods that are sold on shopping websites or via other channels, you can normally assume that the goods are counterfeit.
High quality branded goods that are often copied are:
  • Shoes
  • Clothing
  • Bags
  • Expensive Watches
  • CDs and DVDs
  • Perfumes
  • Electronics
It is prohibited in many countries to introduce counterfeit goods and where proven the Customs authority will seize the goods and penalize the buyer.