International Shipping Checklist: Beginner’s Guide | DHL Belgium

Opening a DHL Express account is your first step toward simplifying the international shipping process. It gives you access to a suite of tools and services designed to make your life easier. Enjoy benefits like preferred pricing, online import and export shipping tools, and access to key solutions that simplify the complexities of international shipping. As an added bonus, DHL will deliver free shipping supplies right to your door.

Every item you ship needs a proper classification. The Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code is a 10-digit code that classifies your goods. It's used to calculate the duties and taxes on your shipment. Accurately classifying your products is a crucial first step, as it helps determine the correct assessable value for customs purposes and ensures your shipment moves smoothly.

No matter where you're shipping to or from, DHL Express offers a range of services designed to meet your specific needs. All these services are time-definite and provide secure, door-to-door delivery. By leveraging these services, you can streamline the entire process of getting your shipments to and from virtually every country in the world, whether you need them there first thing in the morning or by the end of the business day. Plus, these services also come with full track-and-trace visibility, so you always know where your shipments are.

Export services

DHL Express provides door-to-door international export delivery of important time-sensitive documents and non-document shipments by the next possible business day.

Import services

DHL Time Definite Import Services allow you to import from around the world by a specific time or by the end of the next possible business day.

When it comes to shipping, clear and upfront costs are key. Whether you’re importing or exporting, DHL makes it simple to get a rate quote and find up-to-date transit times. All you have to do is input the following:

• DHL Express account number

• Origin and destination details

• Package scale weight and dimensions (length x width x height).

Your shipping charges are based on the greater of either the shipment’s actual weight or volumetric weight. Once entered, you’ll be shown all the available services, along with the guaranteed delivery date and estimated charges. If you don’t have a DHL Express account, rates as published in the DHL Express Service and Rate Guide will apply.

A “landed cost estimate” is the total cost of your shipment, including transit, insurance, applied customs duties, taxes and any other fees.

International shipping can be complicated due to diverse and constantly changing trade regulations. Designed to help simplify things, DHL My Global Trade Services (MyGTS) is a tool that gives you total visibility on critical, detailed trade information, all streamlined and customisable to meet your particular needs. With access to millions of trade rules, MyGTS helps you ensure your customs paperwork is filled out completely and accurately, giving you a precise landed-cost estimate.

Accurate and complete documentation is crucial for a smooth journey. While it may seem daunting, DHL's online shipping solutions make it easy to prepare your international shipment.

Your DHL Express Waybill is the most important document, as it contains all the information DHL needs to know to keep your shipment moving. When you create your waybill online, DHL will help you spot missing or incomplete information, and advise you on applicable DHL services.

For dutiable shipments, you’ll also need a commercial invoice. This core international document serves as a bill for the goods and proof of the transaction. There are also a number of documents that you’ll need to prepare, depending on whether you're exporting or importing. This is a crucial step in the shipping checklist to ensure your goods move smoothly through customs.

• Exporting: Some exports may require special case documents like Certificate of Origin or Electronic Export Information (EEI) for high-value shipments.

• Importing: Be prepared to provide documents like Certificate of Origin, packing list, Power of Attorney (which authorises DHL to act on your behalf during customs clearance), licenses, permits, and a carnet — an international customs document that allows temporary import of goods without paying duties and taxes.

When your shipment enters or leaves the country, customs authorities review the accompanying paperwork to ensure all the appropriate rules and regulations have been followed.

To help ensure faster customs clearance, be sure to:

• Provide all necessary shipping documents

• List each commodity separately with accurate descriptions

• Check for consistency across all documents

• Make sure documents are clearly written, typed or electronically submitted

• Provide as much detailed information as possible

• Confirm that all associated costs are correct

• Ensure that the receiving country or person is not on a Denied Parties list

Before handing over your shipments to DHL, make sure you’ve filled out the paperwork properly and completely to avoid delays in the customs process.