Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common problems in our FAQ pages.

If this is the first time you've received a Duty and VAT invoice from us then you may have some questions that you’d like answering before you pay it.

We hope that by reading the most frequently asked questions everything will become clear, but if you have any other questions, we’ll be happy to help.

The online retailer has an agreement for DHL to deliver items ordered online

  • Duties and taxes are most typically not included in the price of the goods you purchase online.
  • When purchasing goods online, some or all of these goods may not originate in the country you reside in.
  • When goods are not shipped domestically (within your country) or within a single customs union, such as the European Union, you are liable to pay any inbound duties and taxes which your local customs authority deems appropriate.
  • To ensure the DHL courier can deliver your goods in shortest possible transit time, when we enter your country, DHL pays the customs authority immediately on your behalf for any duties and taxes that are due on the goods.
  • DHL only releases the goods to you upon the full repayment of any duties and taxes that were paid on your behalf.
Although you ordered and purchased the goods online, the goods are still subject to an import procedure to clear the shipment through customs. Clearance depends on:

  • The country of origin
  • The value including transport charges
  • The quantity of goods

Each country has its own customs laws and the duties for different types of goods and values are set locally. DHL, like any other international transportation company, must adhere to local customs legislation and so DHL pays duties on the receiver’s behalf to clear shipments on arrival.

You will not be paying to DHL any further shipping costs. Rather, you will be asked instead to pay customs duties, taxes and other import charges related to customs clearance in your home country, as per local regulations.

Whether a shipment is a gift or not, it must still go through an import procedure as determined by custom’s law in the destination country. The shipment is cleared through customs based on the origin country, the value and quantity, but not its purpose. You will need to pay customs duty and taxes only if the value of the gift is above a stated local threshold.

Every country has limitations for imported goods that are used for personal use. This is to avoid misuse, and to distinguish imports for personal and commercial use.

Depending on value and the type of goods imported you may expect the following:
  • Customs duty (percentage of shipment value and transport charges)
  • Local tax
  • DHL Advance Payment surcharge
  • Any regulatory charges, if applicable

Customs Service

How We Charge

Additional Charge
Advance Payment Per shipment 2% of the credit advanced or 11.00 USD minimum
Other Government Agency Per shipment Charges vary based on Government Requirements
Bonded Storage Per shipment, per day after 3 calendar days 31.00 USD
Bonded Transit Per entry 80.00 USD
Certificate of Origin Per shipment 10.00 USD
Clearance Authorization Per shipment 65.00 USD
Disbursements Per shipment 2% of duties or 11.00 USD minimum
Export Declaration Per shipment 15.00 USD
Single Clearance Per shipment 35.00 USD
Broker Notification Per shipment 50.00 USD
Import Paperwork Per packet 25.00 USD per packet or 1.00 USD for Soft Copy
Multiline Entry Per line item 3.00 USD per line after 5 lines
Permits and Licenses Per submission 21.00 USD
Post Clearance Modification Per shipment 75.00 USD
Temporary Imports/Exports Per shipment 90.00 USD

All dispute timelines start with clearance entry date. DHL will be unable to file an amended correction beyond the dates specified.

Manifest (Low Value) Per 19 CFR 174: 180 days from clearance entry date Formal or Separate Entry Up to 270 days after clearance entry date per ACE guidelines

LINK TO: DHL US Express Import Information

LINK TO: DHL US Import Guide

Need Assistance?

We're always here to help! Feel free to reach out to us with the details below, and we'll be more than happy to assist you through any of our available contact channels.

General Support

Manage your delivery icon www.dhl-usa.com

Duty and Tax Support

Manage your delivery icon www.dhl-usa.com/en/express/customs_support.html
Manage your delivery icon Duty_disputes@dhl.com
Manage your delivery icon Tel. 866.638.7668 (8AM to 5PM CST)