Customs Services
With a full range of standard and specialized customs services, we help your international shipments navigate customs efficiently and reach their destination on time.
Explore the tabs below to see our customs services and how each supports your shipment.
Updated: December 1, 2025
Effective: January 1, 2026
Get your customs clearance documents ready – from export declarations to bonded transit and tariff‑preference certificates.
| Description | How We Charge | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Export Declaration | Exporting goods being subject to additional controls An export declaration is required for shipments exceeding a value threshold. May also apply for shipments containing controlled commodities or exceeding a specific weight threshold. | Per Shipment | 15.00 USD |
| Bonded Transit | Shipping under customs bond At customer’s request, the transit of a shipment under customs bond. Can arise when delivering ship spares to a foreign ship at anchor, aircraft parts to an aircraft on ground or to a customer’s own bonded warehouse. Can apply also when shipments move domestically from/to a Free Trade Zone/Bonded Warehouse. | Per Shipment | 90.00 USD |
| Multiline Entry | Importing shipments containing multiple commodities The clearance of a shipment with multiple commodities or multiple origins for the same commodity. Charges apply when more than five lines are recorded on the customs clearance, for example with different commodities or different countries of manufacture. | Per Line After 5 lines | 5.00 USD per line with a 10.00 USD minimum charge |
| Temporary Import Export | Have DHL Express arrange a temporary import or export At Customer’s request, DHL Express facilitates the temporary export and subsequent re-import of goods from the origin country, or the temporary import and later re-export of goods at the destination. These services are typically provided for purposes such as repairs, testing, exhibitions, or similar activities, and are carried out in compliance with customs regulations through the submission of all required documentation and adherence to the relevant clearance procedures. | Per Shipment | 150.00 USD |
| Preferential Origin | Benefit from preferential duty At shipper’s request, the preparation or provision of a Certificate of Origin/Proof of Preference or other similar forms by DHL Express to certify the goods in a particular export shipment have been produced, manufactured or processed in a particular country allowing preferential rates of duty to be claimed at destination and/or compliance with trade barriers. Common examples are EUR1, ATR. | Per Shipment | 10.00 USD |
Expert handling of complex clearance steps like non‑routine entries, permits, bonded storage, and official inspections.
| Description | How We Charge | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Routine Entry | Goods excluded from standard clearance Applies when goods are excluded from routine clearance procedures, due to value or weight exceeding the formal entry threshold set by destination Customs Authorities or due to other regulatory requirements such as tariff codes. Applies also to formal clearance performed by DHL contracted third party brokers in countries where DHL Express cannot provide such clearance services or operate as a licensed broker. | Per Shipment | 35.00 USD |
| Bonded Storage | When the shipment cannot be released by customs Storage charges apply when the shipment cannot be released by customs. Charges take effect three calendar (working) days after the freight arrival date. The charge applies to the duty and tax payer. | Per Shipment Per Day After 3 Working Days | 30.00 USD plus 0.08 USD per kg, minimum charge 50.00 USD |
| Permits and Licenses | We facilitate the license filing process. DHL Express will file necessary information like for example permit/license details and obtain approval, as required, for import of selected controlled commodities, such as medical devices, pharmaceuticals, computer monitors, laser devices, cosmetics, eyeglasses, food or other products regulated by Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or other government agencies. All Partner Government Agencies (PGA) information is managed (submissions and responses) electronically. The charge applies to the duty and taxes payer. | Per Shipment | 28.00 USD |
| Clearance Processing | A fee for shipment clearance processing Applies where additional cost is incurred for importing shipments in alignment with government agency requirements. | Per Shipment | 15.00 USD |
| Customs Physical Intervention | Shipments subject to Customs inspection The arrangement of a non-routine physical Customs inspection of a shipment involving either a full or partial unload. To include the marking or mutilation of samples. | Per Shipment | 20.00 USD |
Smooth duty, tax, and broker support to accelerate clearance and keep your shipment moving.
| Description | How We Charge | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duty Tax Processing | Account Holders can accelerate clearance with a disbursement agreement DHL Express will accelerate the customs clearance initiating the payment process of duty and tax charges relating to a shipment. The receiver is invoiced for the duty and tax amount, allowing payment to be deferred until a mutually agreed date. | Per Shipment | 17.50 USD or 2% of the fiscal charge, if higher |
| Duty Tax Processing | Import Duties and Taxes for Non-Account receivers An administrative charge applies when DHL Express processes import duties, taxes, or other regulatory charges on behalf of customers who do not hold a DHL Express account number. | Per Shipment | 17.50 USD or 2% of the fiscal charge, if higher |
| Broker Notification | Designate your preferred Broker At the importer’s request, DHL Express will provide the necessary paperwork to the customer’s designated broker to perform the import clearance and resume the delivery to the final destination once the clearance is completed. DHL Express is subsequently not responsible for the timeliness of the submission to customs or for the release of the shipment. | Per Shipment | 55.00 USD |
| Other Government Agency | When importing goods being subject to additional controls Government charges apply when DHL Express arranges the clearance of any items subject to bio, health, phyto-sanitary, veterinary, quarantine, CITES or similar controls required by any regulatory agency. This includes the preparation of any related paperwork, to facilitate the clearance of a shipment. This also includes, but is not limited to: licenses, permits and inspections required by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (F&WS) or other government agencies, for certain commodities imported into the U.S. This also includes any overtime charges from the F&WS for instances in which an importer requests clearance outside of the F&WS normal working schedule. | Per Shipment | Charges vary based on the government requirements |
| Post Clearance Modification | Upon request, shipment data (value, classification, etc.) can be modified after declaration If requested by customs authorities or the importer/exporter, DHL Express may add or modify data declared to customs authorities for clearance purposes. This includes data such as declared values, classification of the goods and importer details, based on documentary evidence gathered from or confirmed by the importer or exporter. | Per Shipment | 90.00 USD |
| Continuous Bond | By customer request DHL Express can purchase a continues Bond on your behalf Upon customer’s request and receipt of customer’s application, DHL Express will purchase a continuous bond on the customer’s behalf. The continuous bond would remain in effect for a year and would cover all entries for the importer of record, through any port, provided the broker has a valid Power of Attorney from the importer or principal. The continuous bond renews annually until terminated by importer, principal, Customs Broker or Surety. For example, the minimum bond amount required by CBP is $50,000 or 10% of the total duties, taxes and fees, plus all open increased duty bills and debit vouchers paid in the previous 12 months – whichever is greater. Higher bond values are also available at a tiered rate. | Per 12-Month Period | 525.00 USD minimum |
| Controlled Export | Any Department of State (DOS) shipment requires special handling All U.S. Department of State (DOS) shippers must be approved in advance by DHL Express. The ACE AES Electronic Export Information (EEI) must be filed in ACE at least 8 hours prior to export. Temporary export and import licenses require physical presentation to CBP at the port of export for decrementation. A service charge applies to all DOS shipments for the special handling required by our Controlled Export Team. | Per Shipment | 65.00 USD |
| Single Clearance | By customer request DHL Express will individually clear shipments that could clear on a consolidated manifest Under 19 CFR 128 Express Consignments regulations, non-restricted merchandise based on value and commodity can be cleared on a consolidated manifest for more cost- and time efficient processing. DHL Express will assess a service charge for the following clearance processing that require individual handling: When the importer requests a single formal entry if the shipment is qualified to be cleared informally on the manifest If U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires Live Entry If the commodity and country of origin require Antidumping/Countervailing Duties at time of import | Per Shipment | 35.00 USD |
| Regulatory Charges | To cover additional shipment processing needs Additional charges assessed by customs authorities to complete import or export shipment clearance. Example of when charge may be applied: U.S. Customs and Border Protection applies an express consignment fee. | Per Shipment | 1.34 USD |
| Import/Export Taxes | A Customs-imposed charge based on value of goods Taxes are applied by U.S. Customs, based on the value of the goods being imported. | Variable Charges | Government charges may vary |
| Merchandise Processing | A Customs-imposed charge paid by all Brokers on formal entries Merchandise Processing is a Customs-imposed service charge paid by all Brokers on formal entries. The rate is a percentage of the net entered value of the goods. Minimums and maximums apply. | Per Shipment | Charges vary as follows: 0.3464% of the net entered value with a minimum of 33.58 USD and a maximum of 651.50 USD |
| Under Bond/Guarantee | A single-transaction bond used when a customer is not bonded A single-transaction bond is used in lieu of a continuous bond, in the event a customer is not bonded. A service charge will be assessed (minimum applies). | Per Shipment | 5.00 USD per 1,000.00 USD of bond with 50.00 USD minimum |
| Import/Export Duties | A Customs-imposed charge based on goods content and origin Duty is applied by U.S. Customs at the time of initial entry and varies depending on contents and origin of shipment. Additional duties may be applied by U.S. Customs after the initial Customs entry, when estimated duties were paid, or when an entry is audited, causing a change in the duty owed. These charges will appear on the DHL Express duty invoice. | Variable Charges | Government charges may vary |
| Import Paperwork | DHL Express will provide additional copies of import documentation for a charge DHL Express will provide copies of import documentation previously supplied to the importer/ultimate receiver, at an additional cost. When available, an electronic copy may be provided, for a service charge. Additional copies of import documentation will be supplied by the importing gateway when requested by the receiver. Copies of files for express manifested clearances are not available. | Per Packet Soft Copy | 25.00 USD per packet or 2.10 USD for soft copy |
| Clearance Paperwork | DHL Express will provide a Customs Invoice for a charge. A Customs Invoice is required by Customs when non-document goods are shipped internationally. Upon request, or when it is missing, DHL Express will attach the documentation on behalf of the customer, for a service charge. | Per Shipment | 20.00 USD |
| Description | How we Charge | Cost | |
| Duty Tax Paid | Duties and taxes can be billed to the shipper or third party. DHL Express can arrange for the shipper or a third party to be billed for any duties and taxes payable at destination, rather than the receiver of the shipment being billed. Charges apply whenever duties, taxes or other regulatory fees occur and shipper has requested that those are to be billed outside of the destination country. | % of fiscal charges | 2% of fiscal charges with a minimum of $17.00 |
| Duty Tax Processing | Account Holders can accelerate clearance. DHL will accelerate the customs clearance initiating the payment process of duty and tax charges relating to a shipment. The receiver is invoiced for the duty and tax amount, allowing payment to be deferred until a mutually agreed date. | % of fiscal charges | 2.5% of fiscal charges with a minimum of $17.50 |
| Duty Tax Processing | Import Duties and Taxes for Non-Account receivers An administrative charge applies when DHL processes import duties, taxes, or other regulatory charges on behalf of customers who do not hold a DHL account number. | % of fiscal charges | 2.5% of fiscal charges with a minimum of $17.50 |
More about Customs Services
Additional surcharges may apply depending on shipment characteristics. VAT may apply. Some services may not be available in all service areas.
DHL reserves the right to amend rates, surcharges, transit times, services, and zones without prior notice and in accordance with the DHL Terms and Conditions.
For export shipments where Duty Tax Paid (DTP) has been selected as the billing instruction, the duty payer shall be responsible for all applicable Duties, Taxes, Regulatory Fees, and Customs Services charges incurred in connection with the shipment, including, where applicable:
- Bonded Storage
- Clearance Processing
- Customs Physical Intervention
- Multiline Entry
- Non-Routine Entry
- Permits and Licenses
- Post Clearance Modification
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* All discounts are based on shipment volume and profile information provided. DHL may adjust this discount upon thirty (30) days written notice. Terms and conditions apply.