Standard shipping gets the job done most of the time, but real life rarely fits a template. Sometimes your delivery needs to arrive quietly, without a trace. Other times, you want it to land at your doorstep on a Saturday, or you need peace of mind that a valuable document will reach its destination unscathed. DHL’s Optional Services are made for these moments, offering you the freedom to shape every shipment, your way.
Choose How Your Delivery Happens
The first thing you notice with DHL is genuine choice. Maybe you need neutral delivery, where your package arrives without any branding, perfect for businesses keen to keep supply chains private. Or perhaps Saturday delivery is what you need, extending your delivery window into the weekend so you never have to wait until Monday if it can’t wait. If your shipment is headed to a home rather than an office, residential address handling ensures it’s managed just right.
Signature options give you even more control. Want the recipient themselves to sign? Go for direct signature. Shipping something low-risk? Skip the signature altogether. Got an age-restricted item? Adult signature makes sure it’s placed in the right hands. Need a delivery slot that works around your schedule, or want to collect at your own time? Dedicated delivery and hold for collection let you decide. It’s all about making sure your priorities, privacy, timing, and accountability, come first.
Protect What Matters Most
Some parcels are just more valuable than others. For those, shipment insurance is a smart move, especially if you’re sending something precious or personal. It cushions you against the sting of loss or damage during transit.
And if you’re moving important documents, think passports, visa papers, certificates, DHL’s extended liability service brings extra assurance. It’s not just about compensation; it’s about making sure the paperwork that matters most gets there safely, so your plans aren’t thrown off by unexpected delays.
Simplify Customs and Billing
Kenyan businesses trading internationally know that getting a shipment across borders isn’t just about moving a box; the paperwork and payment side can be just as critical. DHL lets you decide who pays duties and taxes: the sender, the receiver, or even a third party. That means you can structure shipments in a way that fits your business relationships.
There are even options to speed up customs clearance and defer payment, easing cash flow for businesses that ship regularly. And if you’re sending to someone without a DHL account, there are solutions to handle import duties and taxes smoothly, removing obstacles and keeping your shipments moving.
Empower Recipients with On-Demand Delivery
Sometimes, even the best-planned delivery misses its mark because the recipient isn’t home. DHL Express On-Demand Delivery (ODD) solves this, putting control directly in the hands of the person waiting for the package. Through a simple online portal, recipients can choose from six flexible delivery options: collect from a DHL Service Point, authorise a signature release, reschedule the delivery up to a week later, send the parcel to a neighbour, redirect it to a different address, or even put it on hold for up to 30 days. And yes, all these options come at no extra cost.
This isn’t just convenient for the receiver, it keeps the whole delivery network running smoothly, reducing missed deliveries and saving everyone time.
Go Beyond Delivery: Extra Services and Sustainable Shipping
DHL’s optional extras tie it all together. Need help packing? Want a printed invoice for your records, or a phone call when your delivery is on the way? You’ve got it. And for those looking to reduce their environmental impact, GoGreen Plus allows you to ship with lower emissions, without sacrificing the efficiency you depend on.
If you’re after a logistics partner that gets what matters to you, whether it’s privacy, security, billing flexibility, or greener shipping, DHL has an option for you.
Why Settle for Less? Ship Your Way
At the end of the day, flexible shipping is about putting you in the driver’s seat. DHL Optional Services give Kenyan businesses and individuals the tools to tailor every shipment, from delivery style and document protection to customs, billing, and flexible last-mile solutions. With DHL, shipping doesn’t force you to fit a mould. Instead, it moulds itself to fit you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Optional Shipping Services from DHL are tailored add-ons you can select to personalize your shipping experience. Whether you need a specific delivery method, unique billing arrangements, extra protection for valuable goods, or even a greener shipping option, these services let you fine-tune each shipment to suit your needs.
Absolutely. DHL offers shipment value protection to cover your goods against physical damage or loss while in transit. If you're sending something valuable, something that would sting to lose, this protection means you won’t have to shoulder the loss alone.
You have options here. Duties and taxes can be billed to the shipper, the receiver, or even to a third party. It all depends on how your business prefers to manage international shipments. DHL makes it easy to choose the arrangement that works best for you.
If your shipment is urgent, DHL’s Saturday delivery means you’re not stuck waiting until the new week. Your package can arrive over the weekend, keeping you on schedule and your customers happy.
To avoid surprises at delivery, you can get an estimate of customs duties and taxes upfront with the Pre-Shipment Planner on DHL Express’ Global Trade Services (MyGTS). Here’s how to use it:
Sign up for DHL Express’ Global Trade Services (MyGTS)
Go to the Pre-Shipment Planner
Enter your destination country, describe your product, and add the declared value
(Optional) Include your HS code for even more accuracy
The system calculates the likely charges based on the regulations of the destination country, so you can budget confidently and steer clear of last-minute shocks.
If your shipment is subject to duties or taxes, DHL Express will let you know how to pay.
For guest shippers or recipients, you’ll get an email or SMS with a secure payment link through DHL’s On Demand Delivery (ODD) platform.
Business account holders get their duties and taxes invoiced via DHL MyBill after delivery, unless those costs are prepaid or billed to the receiver.
Yes, DHL Express handles customs clearance as a standard part of its international shipping service. Just keep in mind, any import duties, taxes, or government fees set by the destination country aren’t part of your shipping rate and will need to be settled by the shipper or receiver, as agreed.
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