DHL Express from Stamps.com

DHL Express ships your international packages with speed and reliability to over 220 countries. Ship using DHL Express from your Stamps.com account and enjoy deep discounts on popular services along with additional benefits:

  • Save up to 76% off DHL Express Worldwide®

  • Delivery in 1-4 business days to most international locations

  • No contract or volume commitment

  • Free courier pickup

Learn more about services offered by DHL Express from Stamps.com.

Add DHL Express services to Stamps.com

To add DHL Express to your Stamps.com account:

Online

  1. Go to Mail Settings.

    Mail screen with arrow pointing to the Mail Settings button

  2. Go to Carriers and click +Add.

    Mail settings screen with Carriers settings open and arrow pointing to Add button

  3. Click the DHL Express logo.

    Mail settings screen open to the add new carriers page, arrow points at DHL option.

  4. Click Enable DHL Express.

    Add DHL as a carrier page, arrow points to Enable DHL Express button.

DHL will now be displayed as a carrier in your Mail Settings and in the Carrier drop-down menu.

Carrier menu open with DHL Express selected
PC Software

  1. Select Preferences from the File drop-down menu.

    Open File menu with arrow pointing to the Preferences option

  2. Go to the Carriers & Services tab and then choose Manage Carriers.

    Preferences popup. Box highlights Carriers & Services tab. Arrow to Manage Carriers button.

  3. Click Add in the Manage Carrier window.

    Box highlights the + Add button on the Manage Carrier popup.

  4. Click the DHL Express logo.

    Manage Carrier Settings, add new carrier with arrow pointing to DHL option

  5. Click Enable DHL Express.

    Manage carrier settings once DHL has been selected, arrow points to Enable DHL Express button

DHL Express will now be available as a carrier throughout the application:

  • As a checkbox in the Preferences window

  • As an option in the Packages tab of the Carrier drop-down menu

  • In the Orders tab

DHL: Optimizing Customs Data for International Shipments to Prevent Delays

To ensure smooth customs clearance and minimize the risk of shipment inspections or delays, it is critical to provide high-quality data for every international shipment. Poor data quality, specifically vague descriptions and missing HS codes, often triggers manual reviews by destination authorities.

Key Takeaways for Merchants

  • Be Literal: Describe the item as if you are explaining it to someone who cannot see it.

  • Include Part Numbers: If your product has a Part Number (PAN), include it in the reference field to help customs verify the item.

  • The "Rule of Three": A great description usually answers What it is, What it's made of, and What it's for.

Write Accurate Line Item Descriptions

Customs authorities need to know exactly what is being imported, what it is made of, and its intended use. Avoid using internal marketing descriptions or vague terms.

  • Avoid Stop Words: Words like "Sample," "Variety," or "Gift" are frequently flagged and may trigger an automatic inspection. For a List of Common Stop Words, see the PDF attachment at the end of this article.

  • Include Material Composition: For items like footwear or apparel, specify the materials (e.g., "Men’s jeans, 80% cotton, 20% polyester" instead of just "Jeans").

  • Detail the Product Type: Instead of "VINTAGE FOOTWEAR," use "Women’s shoes - leather upper and rubber sole."

  • Be Specific: Instead of "Wheel adjusted," use "Bicycle rear pivot part."

Utilizing Harmonized System (HS) Codes

Providing a correct HS code (or Commodity Code) is the most effective way to help customs officials categorize your goods.

  • 🇺🇸 US-Based Shippers: Use the US Census Bureau’s Schedule B Search Engine to find the correct code.

  • Global Shippers: Ensure you are using the most current codes required by the destination country to avoid incorrect duty/tax calculations.

Provide Part and Reference Numbers

When possible, include the specific part or item number in your commercial invoice data. Mapping these to the correct reference fields in your shipping tool (e.g., the "PAN" reference type) provides an extra layer of clarity for clearance agents and helps verify the item against the provided description.

Prohibited Stop Words & Description Comparison

Using vague language is the fastest way to get a shipment flagged for inspection. Below are examples of poor descriptions found in recent audit data versus the clear, detailed descriptions required by customs authorities. For a List of Common Stop Words, see the PDF attachment at the end of this article.

Poor Description (Vague)

Better Description (Detailed)

Why it Matters

VINTAGE FOOTWEAR

Women's shoes: leather upper, rubber sole

Defines gender, material, and sole type.

JEANS

Men’s jeans: 80% cotton, 20% polyester

Specifies material composition for textiles.

SAMPLE / VARIETY

Stainless steel kitchen whisk (K792)

Stop Words like "Sample" or "Variety" trigger automatic flags.

HAIR PRODUCT

Organic argan oil hair serum (100ml)

Identifies the specific substance and volume.

The Mesa - Medium

Canvas messenger bag with brass buckles

Moves past marketing names to actual physical traits.

Merchant Checklist: International Shipping Compliance

To ensure your international shipments clear customs without delay, use this checklist to review your data before printing your labels.

  • [ ] Is the description specific? (e.g., "Men's 100% cotton t-shirt" instead of "Apparel")

  • [ ] Did you avoid Stop Words? (Ensure "Sample," "Gift," and "Variety" are not used)

  • [ ] Is the material composition listed? (e.g., "Stainless steel," "Leather," "Plastic")

  • [ ] Is the HS code/Commodity code included? (Use a search tool if you aren't 100% sure)

  • [ ] Is the Part Number (PAN) mapped correctly? (Helps verify the item in the clearance system)

  • [ ] Is the unit value and currency accurate? (Ensure values match your commercial invoice)

Description Logic: The "Physical" Rule

When writing descriptions, ignore your marketing names. Customs authorities don't know what a Polaris IGX 144+ Linkage Kit is. Instead, describe the physical object: Steel mechanical linkage parts for vehicle suspension.

Technical Note: Mapping Compliance Data

When integrating with international carriers, how you map data fields in your API payload directly impacts customs clearance rates. While the UI may show a single "Description" field, the backend mapping should prioritize the following:

  1. Reference Field Mapping (PAN)

    To assist customs authorities in verifying shipments against digital records, ensure that product part numbers are mapped to the correct reference type.

    • Reference Type: PAN (Part Number)

    • Usage: Map your internal SKU or manufacturer part number here. This allows clearance systems to match the physical item to the digital declaration more efficiently.

  2. Data Integrity vs. UX Display

    It is important to note that what the customer sees in the ShipStation or Shopify UI may not always reflect the full data payload sent to the carrier.

    • Payload Enrichment: Even if a merchant uses a short marketing title in their store, the integration should attempt to send the most granular description available in the product database to the description field in the customs object.

    • Stop Word Scrubbing: Consider implementing a validation layer that flags or prevents the use of Stop Words (Sample, Gift, Variety) in the description field before the API call is finalized.

  3. HS Code Automation

    Automating the harmonized_tariff_code field is the highest-value optimization you can provide. Ensuring this field is populated with a 6 to 10-digit code reduces the reliance on the text description alone, as the code provides a universal language for customs agents worldwide.

Additional Information about DHL Express

  • DHL Shipping Unavailable to US Territories: Services for DHL (Express and Ecommerce) and DHL Express by ShipStation no longer support shipments to US territories.

  • Print Sample is not available when preparing DHL Shipping Labels. Reprint and Instant Refunds are available in the event of a printing error.

  • You cannot ship to a PO Box address with DHL Express.

  • DHL can be used only for international shipping at the present time.

  • DHL Express provides default coverage that covers either the declared value or a specific cost per kilogram (whichever is lower). The cost per kilogram differs depending on how the package is shipped - by road or by air. Review Section 6 of the DHL Express Terms & Conditions for details.

    If you have a lost or damaged DHL Express package, review our help article about how to file a claim for a DHL Express shipment.

  • DHL Express has specific guidelines for what can and cannot be shipped with them. Please visit DHL Express Terms and conditions of Carriage as well as the DHL Express Restrictions By Country pages for more information before you prepare your shipment.

  • DHL has instituted an Emergency Situation Surcharge. This will affect your shipping costs. Please read the DHL notice to avoid surprise adjustments: DHL Emergency Situation Surchage notice.

    To understand how adjustments can affect your account, see our guide on Adjustments.

Was this article helpful?
0 out of 0 found this helpful

Can't find what you're looking for?

We’re here to help you.
Contact Us