DHL Express Shipping Restrictions & Prohibited Items

DHL Express is a reliable courier company to use if you’re looking to send your items. Door to door, from Hungary to Hong Kong, DHL's express division connects over 220 countries and territories around the globe.

But before you take advantage of DHL’s expansive global supply chain network, it’s important to be familiar with their conditions for carriage, specifically, their restricted and prohibited items.

By being mindful of DHL’s shipping restrictions, you can ensure that your account remains in good standing and most importantly, that your packages are able to be shipped to your overseas customers.

DHL Express Shipping Restrictions

If an item is restricted, it means that it is allowed to be shipped – but you must have pre-approval with DHL Express, and certain conditions and circumstances must be met.

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DHL Express Restricted Items

The following items are restricted within the United States:

• Animals (Non-venomous, frogs, insects, lizards, tortoises, sea life, and worms)
• Dangerous Goods (Hazardous or combustible materials including asbestos and ammunition)
• Firearms (Includes parts of paintball guns, pellet guns, and air rifles)
• Industrial diamonds/carbons (Valued over US$10,000)
• Jewelry (Valued over US$100, including watches)
• Negotiable Instruments
• Precious Metals and Stones
• Cigarettes, cigars and all other tobacco products

To find DHL restricted items for all other countries, please visit DHL’s local website for the country you’re shipping from.

DHL Express International Shipping Restrictions

As every country has its own import laws and agreements, certain DHL Express international shipping restrictions may apply.

DHL’s Global Import Guidelines are a great tool to help you discover specific restricted items you may encounter when shipping cross-border.

By clicking on the country you want to ship to, you’ll be able to see a list of import restrictions under the section titled “Shipping Commodities – What You Need to Know”.

Are there any DHL-restricted countries?

Yes, sanctioned countries like Belarus, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Syria are generally restricted when shipping through DHL Express.

Denied Party Screening

DHL Express performs automated screenings of all shipments to ensure compliance with international trade laws. Shipments can be delayed or rejected if:

• The sender or receiver is a denied party (i.e., sanctioned individuals or entities).
• The destination country is under trade embargoes or international sanctions.
• The shipment violates laws from the sender’s or destination’s local government or international treaties.

This screening is especially aligned with OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) sanctions from the United States, as well as similar regulations from the EU, UN, and other governing bodies.

Tip: You can consult DHL’s Service Bulletins for real-time updates or speak with your DHL account manager for shipping clearance to sensitive or embargoed destinations.

DHL Size Restrictions

The weight and dimension limits for DHL services vary.

Visit DHL.com for more details and the most updated information for the specific services offered in your origin country.

DHL List of Prohibited Items

Strictly Prohibited Commodities

If a commodity is prohibited, it means DHL Express will refuse service outright, and dishonesty about contents can result in account suspension or closure.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of prohibited and restricted items according to DHL Express’s global shipping policies:

Local Laws May Apply

In addition to DHL Express’s global policies, destination country regulations and federal, state, or local government rules may further restrict imports. Certain goods may be classified as dangerous goods, require documentation, or be restricted due to their total shipment value or individual value per item.

DHL Express Prohibited Items – International

As every country has its own import laws and agreements with other countries, certain items may be prohibited for international shipping with DHL.

DHL’s Global Import Guidelines are a great tool to help you discover specific prohibited items you may encounter when shipping cross-border.

By clicking on the country you want to ship to, you’ll be able to see the list of prohibited items under the section titled “Prohibited Commodities”.

Avoid DHL Express Shipping Problems by Understanding DHL Shipping Restrictions

Hopefully, your eCommerce inventory is DHL-allowed items!

But if they happen to be on the restricted list, you must make sure you have pre-approval with DHL, and that all conditions and circumstances for carriage are met before you start shipping cross-border.

Also, we highly recommend against being dishonest about your shipment contents on your DHL waybill and paperwork. Not only can this put your account at risk for suspension or closure, but your business will be at risk of getting heavily fined by the countries you are importing to.

By paying attention and following DHL Express’s shipping restrictions, you can ensure your shipment will be allowed to ship and be delivered safely to your customer – beyond borders.

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DHL Express Shipping Restrictions FAQ

What is a DHL Express delivery exception?

A DHL delivery exception means the item you shipped was not delivered for some reason. These reasons include customs issues, late for a transfer, wrong address, etc.    

What is the meaning of shipment on hold in DHL Express?

If your shipment is on hold, that means your shipment is going to be delayed and will not arrive at its original delivery date.