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FAQs for European Road Freight Shippers


Whether you are already a customer or you are looking to start shipping with us, here are some quick answers to your top questions.

General


What does 3rd Party Billing mean?

If you are sending a commercial shipment with a commercial value but the cost of sending the shipment is being paid by someone else other than the shipper or receiver, this is called 3rd party billing.

What is CMR?

CMR Convention (Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road) is a United Nations convention that relates to various legal issues concerning transportation of cargo by road.

Based on the CMR, the International Road Transport Union (IRU) developed a standard CMR waybill.

The CMR waybill is prepared in three languages. When checked by customs and police, a transport document must be present when the shipment is transported.

What is Cross Trade?

This is when cargo is moved between a point of origin and a destination without it entering the country where the shipper is registered.

Insurance


Why do I need to insure my shipment?

Freight forwarders and carriers have limited liability under international conventions for loss or damage to customer goods. In the case of an incident, your compensation is normally calculated against a "standard" negligent liability clause. DHL Cargo Insurance covers the ‘gap’ between our "standard" liability and the full value of your goods.

Why would I pay for insurance now?

We handle every shipment with great care but accidents outside of our control can happen. Natural disasters such as floods may also impact your shipment. DHL Cargo Insurance is a cost effective way of protecting your goods and giving you peace of mind. After all, most people have never suffered a fire at home but continue to insure their homes against the risk.

When something goes wrong, isn’t DHL Freight responsible anyway?

As is common in our industry, we are a limited liability company. Our liability is dictated by International Transport conventions such as ’CMR’, or local law, which will usually equate to only a fraction of the value of your goods, because it is assessed on weight. We must also have been found to be negligent in our handling of your shipment.

I already have insurance, so why should I consider DHL Cargo Insurance?

With our insurance you get:

  • Our own Cargo Insurance specialists sited globally to ensure the highest service quality
  • Broader coverage than most other insurance policies
  • No Deductibles or Excesses for you to pay
  • Competitive rates, especially if you buy an Annual Policy
  • No ‘claims administration’ – we handle all the paperwork on your behalf
  • Claims settled within 30 days on average

I ship high risk commodities – can DHL Freight cover these?

Our scale means we bundle thousands of insurance demands together so we can cover higher risk profile business. Also our in-country and sector expertise means we can help you lower your risks.

If my goods are lost or damaged, what do I need to do?

Simply contact your local DHL Freight representative, who will guide you through the claims process and help you gather all of the necessary information.

How do I prepare a claim?

Please review the details on our How to Prepare a Claim instruction page.

Is it possible to buy cargo insurance?

Before Transport


Does DHL Freight serve private customers?

DHL Freight is for business users.

Private individuals and customers can find out more about DHL's delivery expertise by visiting their local country sites.

Does DHL Freight transport dangerous goods?

DHL Freight transports dangerous goods in accordance with national and international ADR regulations. Please note that transport schedules for dangerous goods need to be arranged separately so contact us directly and we can quickly set up a suitable solution for your needs.

Visit our dangerous goods and prohibited items page for more on this subject.

How do I get a price for my shipment?

If your company does not have a contract with DHL Freight, please contact us to get a quote.

How much does the freight transportation cost?

It depends on your shipping requirements, distance, size and weight of goods, insurance and the current surcharges in your country. Please contact us to get a quote

 

What is the maximum size and weight that can be shipped?

DHL Freight offers you the flexibility to ship most goods from a single pallet all the way to a full truck load.

Please check our Road Freight page to find out information about the size and weight for each service. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your local DHL Freight experts.

What online tools does DHL Freight provide for shipment management?

Our online tools give you the power to manage and track your shipments from dispatch to delivery.

For full details please visit our Online Tools introduction page

 

When will my shipment be delivered?

If your shipment is already on its way and you want to know exactly where it is, you can track your shipment online with our road freight tracking tool

During Transport


Can I pick-up my shipment at your terminal?

Yes, you are welcome to our depot to pick up your shipment.

Please contact us upfront, and we will prepare the shipment for pick-up.

How can I track my shipment?

To track your shipment, simply enter the DHL Shipment Number (either the DHL Order Code or Consignment ID you received from us when booking your shipment) in our online road freight tracking tool.

My shipment is late, what should I do?

First, check the tracking status of your shipment with our road freight tracking tool.

This gives you full visibility regarding your shipment's transit status.

For more detailed information, please get in touch with your local DHL Freight customer service.

What do I need to pick-up the shipment?

You need the shipment number or order code and ID.

When will my shipment arrive?

You can follow your shipment step-by-step with our road freight tracking tool that provides up-to-date information on your shipment's location.

Where do I get the numbers needed for shipment tracking (i.e. Shipment Number/Order Code)?

The DHL Shipment Number (either the DHL Order Code or Consignment ID) you received from us when booking your shipment.

If you are an existing DHL Freight customer and use our online booking tools, you will receive your DHL Shipment ID when making your online booking.

After Transport


How do I prepare a claim?

If you wish to make a claim, please visit our how do I prepare a claim page. There you will find information on how and when to prepare a claim. 

A claim should be made to the carrier with all enclosures within 7 days of receipt of the goods.

How do I receive my invoices electronically?

Please visit our online tools area for more details about eBilling.

You can also get in touch with your local DHL Freight customer service to learn more.

I have signed up to receive PDF invoices, but it's not working. What should I do?

Please get in touch with your local DHL Freight customer service for a quick fix.

I received only a part of the shipment, what should I do?

First, check the tracking status of your shipment with our road freight tracking tool. This gives you full visibility regarding your shipment's transit status.

For more detailed information, please get in touch with your local DHL Freight customer service.

 

My shipment arrived damaged, what should I do?

If goods are lost or damaged during transport and damage is externally visible, please make a note on the waybill or transfer documents when the shipment is received.

Please also get in touch with your local DHL Freight customer service.

The goods were broken when the shipment was delivered. What should I do?

If goods are lost or damaged during transport and damage is externally visible, please make a note on the waybill or transfer documents when the shipment is received.

Please also get in touch with your local DHL Freight customer service.

The invoice I received is not correct, what should I do?

Please get in touch with your local DHL Freight customer service for a quick fix.

Social Responsibility


What does DHL do in terms of social responsibility?

Follow the link to find out more about DHL Corporate Responsibility.

Environmental protection program – GoGreen

As the world’s largest logistics service provider, we have a special obligation to minimize the negative impact of our business on the environment.

Follow the link to find out more about Environmental protection program GoGreen

Disaster management – GoHelp

At the core of the Group-wide GoHelp program is the strategic disaster management partnership with the United Nations (UN), which has made the Group an important player in the worldwide humanitarian community.

Follow the link to find out more about Disaster management – GoHelp.

Championing Education – GoTeach

As one of the largest employers worldwide DHL Group has established its Group-wide program GoTeach as a way to improve educational opportunity for young people and prepare them for the working world.

Follow the link to find out more about GoTeach.