DHL Express

Customs Services

Updated: June 9, 2025
Effective: June 9, 2025
DHL Express has extensive worldwide customs knowledge and experience. We know that a smooth and efficient customs clearance process helps your shipments arrive as quickly as possible. We provide standardized services that effectively support the customs clearance process.
Customs Services
Description
How We Charge
Cost
Customs Preparation
Export Declaration
Exporting goods being subject to additional controls
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Export Declaration
An export declaration is required for shipments exceeding a value threshold. May also apply for shipments containing controlled commodities or exceeding a specific weight threshold.
Per Shipment
15.00 USD
Bonded Transit
Shipping under customs bond
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Bonded Transit
At customer’s request, the transit of a shipment under customs bond. Can arise when delivering ship spares to a foreign ship at anchor, aircraft parts to an aircraft on ground or to a customer’s own bonded warehouse. Can apply also when shipments move domestically from/to a Free Trade Zone/Bonded Warehouse.
Per Shipment
90.00 USD
Multiline Entry
Importing shipments containing multiple commodities
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Multiline Entry
The clearance of a shipment with multiple commodities or multiple origins for the same commodity. Charges apply when more than 5 lines are recorded on the customs clearance, for example with different commodities or different countries of manufacture.
Per Line
After 5 lines
5.00 USD per line with a 10.00 USD minimum charge
Temporary Import Export
Have DHL arrange a temporary import or export
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Temporary Import Export
At Customer's request DHL facilitates the temporary export and re-import of goods for reasons such as repair, testing, exhibitions, and others by submitting the required documents and adhering to clearance procedures as specified by Customs.
Per Shipment
150.00 USD
Preferential Origin
Benefit from preferential duty
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Preferential Origin
At shipper’s request, the preparation or provision of a Certificate of Origin/Proof of Preference or other similar forms by DHL to certify the goods in a particular export shipment have been produced, manufactured or processed in a particular country allowing preferential rates of duty to be claimed at destination and/or compliance with trade barriers. Common examples are EUR1, ATR.
Per Shipment
10.00 USD
Prior Notice
FDA requires pre-arrival notification for all shipments containing food or food products
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Prior Notice

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) bioterrorism regulations require that a Prior Notice (PN) for all shipments containing food or food products be filed electronically with the FDA prior to shipment arrival. DHL Express will prepare and submit a PN for all imported food shipments for a service charge. Customers may file directly with the FDA to avoid the PN service charge.

Customers who wish to self-process to avoid PN charges must provide a detailed shipment description and the FDA PN confirmation number (10 digits) on the Commercial Invoice, and also on the shipment waybill in the description section. A printed copy of the PN confirmation should also be included with the waybill and invoice. Note: Prior Notice does not include obtaining Permits & Licenses for FDA Entry Preparation.
Per Shipment
13.50 per notice, max 135.00 USD
Customs Process
Non-Routine Entry
Goods excluded from standard clearance
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Non-Routine Entry
Applied in selected countries, when importing goods with an aggregated declaration value or weight exceeding the limits set by destination customs authorities, or due to other regulatory requirements are excluded from routine clearance on a consolidated manifest and thus require clearance under an individual entry form.
Per Shipment
35.00 USD
Bonded Storage
When the shipment cannot be released by customs
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Bonded Storage

Storage charges apply when the shipment cannot be released by customs due to inaccurate or missing paperwork.

Charges take effect after the freight arrival date. The charge applies to the duty and tax payer.
Per Shipment
Per Day
After 3 Calendar Days
30.00 USD plus 0.08 USD per kg, minimum charge 50.00 USD
Permits and Licenses
We facilitate the license filing process.
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Permits and Licenses
DHL will file necessary information like for example permit/license details and obtain approval, as required, for import of selected controlled commodities, such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, computer monitors, laser devices, cosmetics, eyeglasses, food or other products regulated by Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or other government agencies. All Partner Government Agencies (PGA) information is managed (submissions and responses) electronically. The charge applies to the duty and taxes payer.
Per Shipment
28.00 USD
Clearance Processing
A fee for shipment clearance processing
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Clearance Processing
Applies in selected countries where additional cost is incurred for importing shipments in alignment with government agency requirements.
Per Shipment
10.00 USD
Customs Support
Duty Tax Processing
Account Holders can accelerate clearance with a disbursement agreement
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Duty Tax Processing
DHL will accelerate the customs clearance process making prompt payment of duty and tax charges relating to a shipment, while the receiver defers payment until an agreed date.
Per Shipment
17.00 USD or 2% of the fiscal charge, if higher
Duty Tax Processing
Import Duties and Taxes for Non-Account receivers
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Duty Tax Processing
An administrative charge applies in case DHL has used its own credit line with customs to advance or guarantee the payment of duties, taxes or regulatory charges on behalf of importers and consumers with whom DHL has no contract.
Per Shipment
17.00 USD or 2% of the fiscal charge, if higher
Broker Notification
Designate your preferred Broker
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Broker Notification

At the importer’s request, DHL will provide the necessary paperwork to the customer’s designated broker to perform the import clearance and resume the delivery to the final destination once the clearance is completed.

DHL is subsequently not responsible for the timeliness of the submission to customs or for the release of the shipment.
Per Shipment
55.00 USD

Other Government Agency
When importing goods being subject to additional controls
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Other Government Agency
Government charges apply when DHL Express arranges the clearance of any items subject to bio, health, phyto-sanitary, veterinary, quarantine, CITES or similar controls required by any regulatory agency. This includes the preparation of any related paperwork, to facilitate the clearance of a shipment. This also includes, but is not limited to: licenses, permits and inspections required by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (F&WS) or other government agencies, for certain commodities imported into the U.S. This also includes any overtime charges from the F&WS for instances in which an importer requests clearance outside of the F&WS normal working schedule.
Per Shipment
Charges vary based on the government requirements
Post Clearance Modification
When customs clearance information requires modification after declaration
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Post Clearance Modification
DHL can modify the value, commodity, country of manufacture, or terms of trade information after the import clearance process for goods, to correct or elaborate on what was submitted previously to Customs. Modifications are also necessary when import details such as the VAT number are incorrect on the declaration.
Per Shipment
90.00 USD
Duty Tax Paid
Duties and taxes can be billed to the shipper or third party.
Duty Tax Paid
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DHL can arrange for the shipper or a third party to be billed for any duties and taxes payable at destination, rather than the receiver of the shipment being billed.

Charges apply whenever duties, taxes or other regulatory fees occur and shipper has requested that those are to be billed outside of the destination country.
Per Shipment
17.00 USD or 2% of the fiscal charge, if higher
Continuous Bond
By customer request DHL can purchase a continues Bond on your behalf
Continuous Bond
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Upon customer’s request and receipt of customer’s application, DHL will purchase a continuous bond on the customer’s behalf. The continuous bond would remain in effect for a year and would cover all entries for the importer of record, through any port, provided the broker has a valid Power of Attorney from the importer or principal. The continuous bond renews annually until terminated by importer, principal, Customs Broker or Surety. For example, the minimum bond amount required by CBP is $50,000 or 10% of the total duties, taxes and fees, plus all open increased duty bills and debit vouchers paid in the previous 12 months – whichever is greater. Higher bond values are also available at a tiered rate.
Per 12-Month Period
525.00 USD minimum
Controlled Export
Any Department of State (DOS)  shipment requires special handling
Controlled Export
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All U.S. Department of State (DOS) shippers must be approved in advance by DHL. The ACE AES Electronic Export Information (EEI) must be filed in ACE at least 8 hours prior to export.

Temporary export and import licenses require physical presentation to CBP at the port of export for decrementation.

A service charge applies to all DOS shipments for the special handling required by our Controlled Export Team.
Per Shipment
65.00 USD
Single Clearance
By customer request DHL will individually clear shipments that could clear on a consolidated manifest
Single Clearance
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Under 19 CFR 128 Express Consignments regulations, non-restricted merchandise based on value and commodity can be cleared on a consolidated manifest for more cost- and time efficient processing. DHL will assess a service charge for the following clearance processing that require individual handling:

  • When the importer requests a single formal entry if the shipment is qualified to be cleared informally on the manifest
  • If U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires Live Entry 
  • If the commodity and country of origin require Antidumping/Countervailing Duties at time of import
Per Shipment
35.00 USD
Regulatory Charges
To cover additional shipment processing needs
Regulatory Charges
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Additional charges assessed by customs authorities to complete import or export shipment clearance.
Example of when charge may be applied: U.S. Customs and Border Protection applies an express consignment fee.
Per Shipment
1.31 USD
Import/Export Taxes
A Customs-imposed charge based on value of goods
Import/Export Taxes
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Taxes are applied by U.S. Customs, based on the value of the goods being imported.
Variable Charges
Government charges may vary
Merchandise Processing
A Customs-imposed charge paid by all Brokers on formal entries
Merchandise Processing
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Merchandise Processing is a Customs-imposed service charge paid by all Brokers on formal entries. The rate is a percentage of the net entered value of the goods. Minimums and maximums apply.
Per Shipment
Charges vary as follows: 0.3464% of the net entered value with a minimum of 32.71 USD and a maximum of 634.62 USD
Under Bond/Guarantee
A single-transaction bond used when a customer is not bonded
Under Bond/Guarantee
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A single-transaction bond is used in lieu of a continuous bond, in the event a customer is not bonded. A service charge will be assessed (minimum applies).
Per Shipment
5.00 USD per 1,000 USD of bond with 50.00 USD minimum
Import/Export Duties
A Customs-imposed charge based on goods’ content and origin
Import/Export Duties
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Duty is applied by U.S. Customs at the time of initial entry and varies depending on contents and origin of shipment. Additional duties may be applied by U.S. Customs after the initial Customs entry, when estimated duties were paid, or when an entry is audited, causing a change in the duty owed. These charges will appear on the DHL Express duty invoice.
Variable Charges
Government charges may vary
Import Paperwork
DHL will provide additional copies of import documentation for a charge
Import Paperwork
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DHL will provide copies of import documentation previously supplied to the importer/ultimate receiver, at an additional cost.

When available, an electronic copy may be provided, for a service charge. Additional copies of import documentation will be supplied by the importing gateway when requested by the receiver. Copies of files for express manifested clearances are not available.

Per Packet

Soft Copy
25.00 USD per packet or 2.10 USD for soft copy
Clearance Paperwork
DHL will provide a Customs Invoice for a charge.
Import Paperwork
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A Customs Invoice is required by Customs when non-document goods are shipped internationally. Upon request, or when it is missing, DHL will attach the documentation on behalf of the customer, for a service charge.
Per Shipment
20.00 USD
More About Customs Services
More About Customs Services
  • DHL will prepay and charge back for government required certificate fees.

  • Shipments booked with Duty Tax Paid (DTP) service may be subject to additional clearance charges. Where applicable these will be billed to the DTP shipper. These charges may include but are not limited to:

    • Non-Routine Entry
    • Customs Physical Intervention
    • Permits and Licenses
    • Bonded Storage
    • Multiline Entry
    • Clearance Processing
    • Post Clearance Modification
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