Everything you need to know about customs documentation for DHL international shipping. We help you prepare customs forms, commercial invoices, and declarations at Ship Center Plus in Netcong, NJ.
Customs documentation is a critical part of international shipping. Every package that crosses an international border must go through customs, and proper documentation ensures your shipment clears customs smoothly without delays. At Ship Center Plus in Netcong, NJ, we help you prepare all required DHL customs documents in-store — you do not need to figure it out on your own.
This guide explains the customs documents you need, how duties and taxes work, what items are restricted or prohibited, and how to avoid common customs delays when shipping internationally with DHL.
The customs documents required depend on what you are shipping and its value:
When you ship internationally, the destination country may charge import duties and taxes on your package. The amount depends on the type of goods, their value, and the destination country's regulations. There are two ways duties can be paid:
The recipient pays duties and taxes when the package arrives. This is the default for most DHL shipments. The recipient must pay before the package is released for delivery.
You prepay duties and taxes so the recipient does not have to pay anything on delivery. This is ideal for gifts and e-commerce orders where you want a smooth recipient experience.
Prohibited items cannot be shipped at all — DHL will not accept them. Restricted items can be shipped but require special documentation, packaging, or permits. Each country has its own list of prohibited and restricted items, so what is allowed in one country may be banned in another.
Common items that are restricted (but may be shippable with proper documentation) include alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, electronics with batteries, and food items. Always check the destination country's requirements before shipping.
DHL restricts certain items from international shipping. This is not an exhaustive list — call us to verify your shipment.
At minimum, you need a customs declaration (CN22 for items under $400, CN23 for items over $400). For commercial shipments, you also need a commercial invoice with item descriptions, values, HS codes, and country of origin. We help you prepare all of these in-store.
By default, the recipient pays duties and taxes when the package arrives (DDU). You can choose to prepay duties (DDP) so the recipient does not have to pay anything on delivery. DDP is ideal for gifts and e-commerce orders.
Customs duties are calculated based on the value of the goods, the type of goods (HS code), and the destination country's duty rates. Some countries have a de minimis threshold below which no duties are charged. The threshold varies by country — for example, the US has a $800 de minimis, while many European countries have much lower thresholds.
Customs processing typically takes 1–3 business days. If your package is stuck for more than 5 business days, it may need additional documentation or the recipient may need to pay duties. Contact DHL or us and we can help investigate the status.
Some food items can be shipped internationally, but many countries restrict or prohibit certain foods. Perishable foods, meat products, dairy, and fresh produce are often prohibited. Non-perishable, commercially packaged foods may be allowed depending on the destination. Check with us before shipping food items.
Yes. Even gifts require a customs declaration. You should mark the shipment as a gift on the customs form and declare the true value. Some countries have gift exemptions that allow gifts under a certain value to enter duty-free, but you still need to complete the customs documentation.
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Netcong, NJ 07857
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