Shipments from 50kg up to 3,000kg per waybill, with pallets of up to 1,000kg each.
Heavy shipping with DHL Express
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DHL HEAVY WEIGHT EXPRESS
Move heavy shipments with the confidence of express.
For exports from Japan and imports into Japan. Ship bulky, heavy goods from 50kg up to 3,000kg per waybill through a single DHL Express network – from pickup and customs clearance to final delivery.
Weight range (per waybill)
50kg-3,000kg
Estimated transit time
1–3 business days※1
Coverage
220+ countries and territories
*1 Transit times are estimates only. Delivery times may vary depending on the origin and destination, customs clearance procedures, weather conditions, flight schedules, local circumstances, or other unforeseen factors beyond our control.
Shipping heavy goods? Do any of these sound familiar?
01
Multiple providers make it hard to see where your shipment is
02
Unpredictable transit times make production and project planning difficult
03
Handling and documentation fees add unexpected costs
04
A single delayed part can bring a production line to a halt
DHL Heavy Weight Express adds predictability and control to your heavy weight shipping.
USE CASES
Built for heavy shipments across industries
For shipments where delays are costly – and where speed, predictability, and reliability all matter.
Data center & technology
Servers, networking equipment, semiconductor equipment
When high-value equipment must arrive on schedule for a new site launch or hardware refresh.
Automotive
Production line parts, critical parts
When a missing part threatens to stop the line. Get critical parts there fast and reduce the risk of downtime.
Life sciences & healthcare
Medical devices, diagnostic equipment
When essential equipment must arrive on time for installation at hospitals, research facilities, and more.
Engineering & manufacturing
Industrial machinery, machine parts, replacement parts
When equipment fails at an overseas plant and urgent parts are needed to restore production quickly.
Energy & oil & gas
Components for power generation and energy infrastructure
When critical components must be replaced fast to avoid costly downtime.
Aerospace
Precision parts
Transporting precision parts under strict timelines and quality requirements.
Commonly shipped goods
Industrial machinery and components
Automotive and production line parts
Medical devices and diagnostic equipment
High-value electronics and semiconductor equipment
Data center infrastructure components
WHY DHL EXPRESS
Why choose DHL Express for heavy shipments
One network, door to door
From pickup and transport to customs clearance and final delivery – with fewer handoffs between providers.
Simple and clear pricing
All-in, door-to-door pricing including customs brokerage.*2
Full visibility from start to finish
A single tracking system and proactive notifications help you respond quickly if plans change.
Reliable customs support
Specialists experienced in customs and documentation support your international heavy shipments.
Heavy Weight Priority Desk
Every shipment is supported by a dedicated team that proactively monitors its journey and resolves issues before they become disruptions.
For urgent and planned shipments
Not just for time-critical deliveries – also a strategic option for reducing safety stock and managing supply chain risk.
*2 Duties, import consumption tax, and other applicable charges are not included and will be charged separately. Depending on the contents of the shipment and customs clearance conditions, additional fees such as customs service charges may apply.
DHL Heavy Weight Express vs. other shipping methods
| DHL Heavy Weight Express | Standard air freight | Ocean freight | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed*1 | 1-3 days | 2-7 days | Weeks |
| Service type | Door-to-door | Airport-to-airport | Port-to-port |
| Pricing | All-inclusive *2 | Fragmented | Fragmented |
| Best for | Urgent, high-value heavy shipments | Larger air cargo | Bulk, low-cost shipping |
*1 Transit times are estimates only. Delivery times may vary depending on the origin and destination, customs clearance procedures, weather conditions, flight schedules, local circumstances, or other unforeseen factors beyond our control.
*2 Duties, import consumption tax, and other applicable charges are not included and will be charged separately. Depending on the contents of the shipment and customs clearance conditions, additional fees such as customs service charges may apply.
*2 Duties, import consumption tax, and other applicable charges are not included and will be charged separately. Depending on the contents of the shipment and customs clearance conditions, additional fees such as customs service charges may apply.
What we ship
Service overview
See our packing guide for how to prepare palletized shipments.
Packing guide for large and palletized shipments (PDF) →
DHL Express Pallet: free packaging material *3
A box-integrated pallet for loads up to 100kg. One person can assemble it quickly, and it can be moved by forklift. Because it isn't made of wood, no fumigation certificate is required.
Watch the assembly guide (video) →
*3 [TBC: conditions for free supply (eligible customers, how to order)]
| Shipping direction | Exports from Japan and imports into Japan |
| Weight range | 50kg-3,000kg per waybill |
| Weight per pallet | Up to 1,000kg |
| Coverage | 220+ countries and territories |
Single pieces
When shipping bulky or heavy items as a single piece, they must be within the following limits.
- Max. weight: 70kg
- Max. dimensions: 120 x 80 x 80 cm (L x W x H)
Palletized shipments
When shipping on pallets, total shipments of up to 3,000kg are accepted. Each pallet must meet the following conditions.
- Max. weight per pallet: 1,000kg
- Max. pallet dimensions: 300 x 200 x 160 cm (L x W x H)
How to get started
STEP 1
Talk to us about your shipments
Tell us about your lanes, weights, and service requirements.
STEP 2
Get the right shipping plan
For urgent, complex, or unusually large shipments, DHL Express helps you confirm the right setup.
STEP 3
Open a business account
New customers can apply for a DHL Express business account.
STEP 4
Prepare your shipment data and ship
Have dimensions, weight, commodity details, invoice data, and customs documents ready.
Free handbook
DHL Heavy Weight Express Air freight solutions for 50kg+ shipments
What's inside
- Key benefits and Heavy Weight Priority Desks
- DHL Heavy Weight Express vs. other shipping methods
- Mitigating supply chain challenges
- Industries where it makes the biggest difference
- How to ship heavy items: key checklist
- FAQs
FAQs
Yes. DHL Heavy Weight Express is available for imports into Japan as well as exports from Japan.
Transit times depend on origin, destination, and shipment specifics, but shipments are typically delivered within 1–3 business days internationally.*1
Pricing is all-in, including customs brokerage, and made clear upfront to help you avoid unexpected charges.*2
Not exclusively. Many businesses also use it as a strategic option – for example, to reduce safety stock.
*1 Transit times are estimates only. Delivery times may vary depending on the origin and destination, customs clearance procedures, weather conditions, flight schedules, local circumstances, or other unforeseen factors beyond our control.
*2 Duties, import consumption tax, and other applicable charges are not included and will be charged separately. Depending on the contents of the shipment and customs clearance conditions, additional fees such as customs service charges may apply.
Shipping something heavy? Let's talk.
Tell us about your lanes, weights, and deadlines, and we'll recommend the right shipping plan.
