DHL Express

Customs Services

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 standardize services that effectively support the customs clearance process.
Customs Services
Description
How We Charge
Cost
Customs Preparation
Temporary Import Export
Have DHL arrange a temporary import or export
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Temporary Import Export
At customer’s request, DHL will arrange temporary export and later import of your goods. Typically for raw or semi-finished goods being temporarily exported and subsequently re-imported to a 3rd country or Free Trade Zone for value adding activities.
Per Shipment
90.00 USD
Export Declaration
Exporting goods being subject to additional controls
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Export Declaration

Applies in countries where an export declaration is required for shipments containing controlled commodities or exceeding a certain value threshold or weight.

Depending on origin country, shippers that submit a declaration online may avoid the local charge.
Per Shipment
15.00 USD
Bonded Transit
Shipping under customs bond
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Bonded Transit
Bonded Transit applies to both export and import shipments whenever DHL is required to open, manage or report any form of transfer under bond.
Per Shipment
85.00 USD
Multiline Entry
Importing shipments containing multiple commodities
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Multiline Entry
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
5.00 USD per line after 5 lines
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 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. Common examples are EUR1, Form A, ATR1.
Per Shipment
10.00 USD
Prior Notice
FDA requires pre-arrival notification for all shipments containing food or food products
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Preferential Origin

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
10.00 USD
Customs Process
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 three calendar days after the freight arrival date or broker notification, whichever is later. The charge applies to the duty and tax payer.
Per Shipment
Per Day
After 3 Calendar Days
31.00 USD
Clearance Data Modification
When clearance data requires corrections
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Clearance Data Modification
A surcharge applies in case the customs declared value of a shipment requires modification either before or during the customs clearance process.
Per Shipment
56.00 USD
Permits and Licenses
We facilitate the license filing process.
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Permits and Licenses
To accelerate import of selected controlled commodities, such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, computer monitors, laser CD players, cosmetics, eyeglasses, food and food products, DHL is required to file specific information in order to obtain the required import permits or licenses. 
Per Shipment
25.00 USD
Customs Support
Disbursement
Accelerate clearance with a disbursement agreement
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Disbursement

On contractual basis, 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.

Available only for business customers with a DHL duty account.
Per Shipment
2% of duties, 17.00 USD minimum
Advance Payment
DHL advancing import duties and taxes
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Advance Payment
DHL accelerates the customs clearance process by paying applicable duties, taxes and other regulatory charges in advance on behalf of importers with whom DHL has no disbursement agreement, typically private consumers. The charge is based on the credit advanced or guaranteed and is subject to a standard minimum.
Per Shipment
2% of duties, 17.00 USD minimum
Broker Notification
Designate your preferred Broker
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Broker Notification

At the customer’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
50.00 USD

Other Government Agency
When importing goods being subject to additional controls
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Other Government Agency
At request, DHL will arrange the completion of Veterinary, Health or Phytosanitary controls at the First Point of Entry in a country or a Customs Union, typically required when importing animal products, plants, seeds, or pharmaceutical products.
Per Shipment
Charges vary based on the government requirements
Duties and Taxes Paid
Absorb destination duties and taxes.
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DHL Express 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 the shipper requests that duties, taxes or other regulatory fees be billed outside of the destination country.
Per Shipment
2% of fiscal charges, $15.00 minimum
Continuous Bond
By customer request DHL can purchase a continues Bond on your behalf
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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 charged per 12-month period with a 525.00 USD minimum
Controlled Export
Any Department of State (DOS)  shipment requires special handling
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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
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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
General Order Warehouse Storage
Transportation and storage charges for shipments after 20 days without entry
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Any shipment that has been in the DHL warehouse for 20 calendar days without entry must be reported to CBP as eligible for General Order. The General Order Warehouse operator may retrieve the shipment and retain until final disposition. Charges assessed by the warehouse operator for transportation and storage will be passed to the importer.
Variable Charges
Government charges may vary
Import/Export Taxes
A Customs-imposed charge based on value of goods
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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
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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 27.75 USD and a maximum of 538.40 USD.
Under Bond/Guarantee
A single-transaction bond used when a customer is not bonded
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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
4.00 USD per 1,000 USD of bond with 40.00 USD minimum
Import/Export Duties
A Customs-imposed charge based on goods’ content and origin
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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
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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
25.00 USD per packet or 1.00 USD for soft copy
Post Clearance Modification
Upon request, shipment data (value, classification, etc.) can be modified after declaration
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Duties and Taxes Paid
If requested by Customs authorities or the Importer/Exporter, DHL may add or modify data declared to Customs authorities for clearance purposes. This includes data such as declared values, classification of the goods and importer details, based on documentary evidence gathered from or confirmed by the Importer or Exporter.
Per Shipment
90.00 USD
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