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Customs Services

Taking the complexity out of customs, so you can focus on your business and your customers


We understand that you need a resilient customs partner with the local expertise and global tools that provide you with a consistent, high-quality service, no matter where your business takes you.

In an ever-changing regulatory environment, secure the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your goods are cleared fast, and in total compliance with the rules of your market. Let one of the world’s largest customs brokers put their global network at your disposal.

Expertise

With over 700 dedicated DHL customs services experts, many of which are licensed brokers, DHL is here to provide you around the clock support throughout the country. Our teams have extensive knowledge across all industry sectors and product.

Professional Relationships

DHL is actively involved in all major trade organizations and closely aligned with Partner Government Agencies to assist in developing policy and regulatory changes. Our DHL corporate public policy team in Washington, DC, keeps our compliance staff and customers up-to-date on news and developments in trade.

Compliance Culture

We have invested in technology, talent and training to insure a multi layered compliance structure. Our customs services ensure that your supply chain runs smoothly, timely and compliantly.

Digitally Focused

We offer a broad range of customs brokerage services utilizing the latest customs clearance technologies and EDI capabilities. Our interactive Customs Connection (C2) web portal provides transparent and end to end visibility to all of your customs data.

Explore our Customs Footprint


Our global footprint to help you expand your reach, no matter where your business takes you to.

Our Customs Services and Solutions


Import and Export Clearance

We understand that keeping up with the trade regulations of your key market can prove challenging and with it, delays, fines and penalties can arise. Ensure uniform, consistent and compliant trade activities: our trained staff keeps up with regulatory changes so you can focus on your business.

  • Complete Export and Import Customs: Declarations take out trade obstacles before they arise, saving you time, effort and money.
  • Transparency for All: Whether you are shipping your freight with DHL or not, your goods deserve reliable customs clearance with full transparency over declaration details and pricing.
  • Submission to other Government Authorities: We make sure your permits and licenses are received and reviewed in time by all the relevant authorities
  • Duties and Taxes Outlay Service: Means we settle all duties upfront, on your behalf, so your goods make it to the store shelves and assembly lines faster.
  • Global Standard Reporting: Enables you to have full visibility and transparency at the line item level on what has been declared.
  • End-to-end Compliance: Our multilayered approach to compliance helps reduce delays and limit any non-compliance surprises after entry.

Integrated Customs Solutions

Are you managing large, complex logistics operations? Take the efficiency of your customs activities to the next level with a solution tailored to your unique needs, with a trusted logistics partner.

  • Customs Account Management: An experienced customs expert is your single point of contact to coordinate all your global DHL Customs Services in complete transparency - including reporting, special projects, and issue resolution.
  • Customs Control Tower: A flexible, tailored solution to optimize your end-to-end import/export supply chains. Improve demand planning, decrease delivery lead times and inventories – and ultimately reduce costs.
  • Centralized Global Implementation: You are assigned a team who truly understands the trade laws and the customs procedures of your target markets. They implement your Customs business in the countries in-scope for a smooth landing.
  • Global SOP and KPI: Get full visibility on your DHL Customs Brokerage service - know what has been declared on your behalf and make better, informed decisions.

Managing and Optimizing All Customs Clearance Procedures


Here’s how a global implementation of your compliance activities with a single account management will help your business.

Take a Look Inside Customs Brokerage


Customs brokerage can be complicated, but it does not have to be. Discover how DHL Global Forwarding takes the complexity out of Customs. Customer declaration details are available through myDHLi web portal. In addition, we offer flexible interfaces with customers to share declaration related data.

Our Customs Brokerage Services


DHL Customs Consulting Services

Our customs brokerage consultants can review your supply chain to help enhance customs activities, optimize duties, identify potential risk areas and improve internal controls and procedures to maximize internal compliance.

Services Include
  • Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) classification and validation
  • Compliance issue resolution and Penalty mitigation
  • Prior disclosures, binding rulings
  • Customs compliance assessments
  • Classes and training programs tailored your need

DHL Duty Drawback Services

DHL Duty Drawback Services is a licensed customs brokerage firm with over 30 years of experience. We aggressively pursue all lawful recoveries for our customers while maintaining the highest level of compliance and work with customers to develop and manage entire program: research, applications, data collection and management filings.

Services Include
  • One of the largest Drawback filers – Total claim paid exceeding $2 Billion, 20 dedicated Drawback experts
  • Support programs in all industry sectors
  • 99.9% compliance success
  • Detailed complimentary assessment to identify all possible duty recovery

DHL Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ)

DHL Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) U.S. solutions are tailored to help manage and optimize the FTZ requirements of your supply chain, providing an end-to-end customized solution. As the largest zone operator, DHL will increase your capability to reduce Merchandise Processing Fees (MPF), tariffs, local taxes and increase cost savings.

Services Include
  • Operator and administrator General Purpose Zones, Specific User Zones and Customer Owned Zones
  • Conduct FTZ feasibility studies
  • Assist in preparing and submitting applications for activation or footprint modifications
  • Maintain all necessary compliance standards

DHL Reconciliation

Specialized group managing U.S. Customs Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) Reconciliation Program. Specific guidelines or timelines allows amendments of issues which are undeterminable at time of entry.

Services Include
  • Dedicated staff to reconciliation
  • Over 200 customers enrolled in programs involving USMCA and value
  • Program tailored to customers' needs
  • Hands-on from initial "flagging" of entry, to receipt of finalized valuations, through final recon filing cycle and including post entry review
  • Can readily support secondary broker data

Take a Look Inside Customs Brokerage


Customs brokerage can be complicated, but it does not have to be. Discover how DHL Global Forwarding takes the complexity out of Customs. Customer declaration details are available through myDHLi web portal. In addition, we offer flexible interfaces with customers to share declaration related data.

Let’s Connect

Get in touch with our Customs Experts today


Tell us a little a more about your organization to get started.

Customs Connection (C2) Web Portal


Our dynamic one-stop shop provides our customers and carrier with real-time information via tracking tools, shipment analytics, performance and document availability.

Looking for DHL Customs Documents and Help?


Whether you’re looking for a reliable source of background or some specific regulators updates. We’re here to help in every way.

Let’s Connect

Get in touch with our Customs Experts today


Tell us a little a more about your organization to get started.

Explore our Key Products and Services