Freight Shipping Frequently Asked Questions

We are the freight forwarding experts. We offer flexibility to ship goods above 70lb. (31.5kg) across various transportation modes (air, ocean, road and rail). If you are unsure about the best mode for your next shipment, we can advise you based on your transit time requirements and budget. Check out our Quote + Book tool

In order to ship with DHL Global Forwarding, you need to be a business.

Everywhere! DHL Global Forwarding works with more companies and in more countries than any other logistics specialist. We have a truly global presence, and skilled employees local to you.

The cost will depend on the origin country, destination country, how much the shipment weighs and how quickly you want it to arrive. The best way to estimate the cost is to get a quote for a one-off shipment through our Quote + Book tool.

If you ship frequently or at a high volume and want to explore partnership opportunities, we will be happy to discuss. Get in touch with your local DHL Representative.

There are many factors that go into the delivery times. Check out the estimated transit times for Air Freight and our LCL Sailing schedule to find the next available Ocean Freight departures between your preferred ports.

Yes, we do ship certain types of dangerous goods. For more information about what we ship, review our dangerous goods/hazardous materials policy.

For one-time quotations, you can use our Quote + Book tool. If you have other questions on Incoterms, the documentation required to move your freight or on packaging, please get in touch with your local DHL Representative.

Yes! Danmar Lines, DHL Global Forwarding’s Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC), secures ocean freight capacity and space protection with the widest range of transport providers from and to all of the world’s major ports. This means that DHL Global Forwarding can transport shipments of all sizes at the best rate, from a single pallet to multiple containers.

The chargeable weight of your shipment is either its gross weight (the combined weight of your goods and their complete packaging, including pallets) or its volumetric weight – whichever is greater. For more details, explore our chargeable weight explainer.

Measure your shipment in centimetres or inches. Multiply the length x width x height. This will give you the volume. Divide the volume by the density ratio of your shipping mode. For details on the density ratio for air, ocean, road and rail, view our chargeable weight explainer.

Especially for import, some goods will be subject to government regulations and require licences.

 It is best to research import regulations prior to contracting any shipping.

Goods can also be subject to control due to trade conventions, such as the Washington Convention (CITES), protecting endangered species such as rare essences of wood, or the Kimberley Process covering the trade of diamonds. For more details, see the Customs Section of our Freight Glossary.

Before it is loaded onto its containership and after unloading at its destination port, your shipment must go through customs. Whether you are the shipper or the consignee, you will most likely be responsible for the import or the export customs clearance and the payment of duties (also referred to as “tariffs”) for your shipment. Depending on the selected Incoterms®, you may even need to take care of both.

It is best to your responsibilities for customs clearance with your overseas partner prior to shipping.

The amount you need to pay depends on the nature of your cargo.

The smooth handling of your customs activities starts with a precise description of the goods you are shipping. This is achieved through an internationally standardised commodity code, the Harmonised System (HS) Code, which will ensure that the correct duties and taxes are applied by Customs. It is defined by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), and is available publicly.

• In the European Union, refer to TARIC
• In the United Kingdom, refer to the UK Tariffs Code
• In the USA, refer to the Harmonised Tariff Schedule
• In Canada, consult the Canada Border Service Agency
• In Mercosur countries (Uruguay, Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina), refer to the Nomenclatura Comun do Mercosur
  

Freight forwarders and carriers have limited liability for loss or damage to your goods under international conventions. In the case of an incident covered under international conventions, your compensation will be calculated against a standard negligent liability clause and not the real value of your cargo.

While every shipment is handled with great care, accidents outside the carrier or freight forwarder’s control can happen. Natural disasters such as floods are not covered by freight liability.

DHL Global Forwarding offers additional Cargo Insurance to close the gap between standard liability and the full value of your goods.

We offer exceptional levels of service, no matter the size of your business. You get access to an insurance policy with no deductibles or excess at a competitive rate, from one of the world’s largest insurers – even for high-risk cargo and in destinations that most other insurance companies won’t cover. Other benefits include:

• Freight and insurance billed on a single invoice
• Easy claims process – as your forwarder, we already have many of the necessary documents
• Claims settled within 30 days on average
• Claims handled locally by personnel who speak the local language
• Reimbursement settled in local currency
  
  

Our scale means we can arrange for most countries and for special, high-risk or very valuable cargo.

We can arrange insurance coverage in most countries thanks to our scale – including for special, high-risk or very valuable cargo.

In case of an incident, we aim to settle your claim within 30 days from the moment all the required documents are in our possession.

To start the claims process, please contact your local representative.

As the world’s largest logistics service provider, all of us at DHL have a special obligation to minimise the negative impact of our business on the environment.

We offer solutions to help you identify and monitor your carbon footprint, minimise and/or avoid emissions and offset your greenhouse gas logistics emissions through investments in internationally recognised climate protection projects.

Learn more about our Go Green solutions

We use the standard EN 16258:2012 (Methodology for calculation and declaration of energy consumption GHG Protocol Product Lifecycle Accounting and Reporting Standard) the most acceptable standard globally.

Road emission factors based on HBEFA (Handbook Emission Factors for Road Transport), Ocean emission factors based on CCWG (Clean Cargo Working Group), Air emission factors based on NTM (Network for Transport Measures). This is the basis for our used Vehicle Operation System (VOS).

We offer Gold Standard VERs (Verified Emission Reductions) and Voluntary Carbon Units (VCUs) which get certified by the (Voluntary Carbon Standard). Our carbon credits are part of the voluntary carbon market and are not part of a cap-and-trade system (where emission allowances can be traded).

Cargo transportation is defined as Cross Trade when the goods are moved from their point of origin to their destination without entering the country where the shipper is registered.

You will need either of the following:

• Your shipment number
• Your order code and order ID
  
  

If your goods are lost during transport, or if the shipment shows visible external damage, please make a note on the waybill or transfer documents upon reception and get in touch with your local DHL Representative.