The Shipment Preparation Process with DHL Express

It is not uncommon for those who receive shipments from DHL Express to find themselves stuck with the mysterious process of what happens when the items are delivered, with many wondering exactly how long it takes from the time that a shipment is dispatched until it arrives on their front doorstep. In this article, we are going to discuss the shipment preparation process with DHL Express;

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Step 1:

Create your DHL airwaybill

The first step is to use the DHL Express software to create a shipment preparation document (Barcode) for that specific package. For the average user, this is a simple process, which can be done by clicking on the “my shipments” button and then clicking on the “new shipment” button. What you need to know is that you need to create a Barcode for each parcel containing items that are shipped by DHL Express; this is so that you can track the shipment number and the time taken to prepare it.

Step 2:

Prepare your shipping invoice

This is the next step after creating a shipment preparation document. The invoice will come in a barcode format which you will need to scan into your computer. You will need to enter all the details as described on the invoice such as; shipment number, weight, and dimensions of your parcel. Once you have entered the details you should click on “generate invoice” and then start filling in the shipping address. Invoices are only required for every parcel that is being shipped to a different country. They are used to clear customs fees. They are usually not required for shipments that will be delivered within the same country. According to DHL (https://www.dhl.com/discover/en-sg/how-to/shipment-preparation), you will need to fill in the details for each country, including the location and time of delivery. A great feature of DHL Express is that you can have a worldwide delivery address and still use the same invoice for shipment preparation, which can be very helpful if you are using DHL Express for multiple shipments to different locations.

Step 3:

Find your Harmonised System (HS) codes

HS is are internationally recognized code that is used when sending parcels to different countries, ensuring that customs fees will be paid on arrival in the receiving country. You will need to use the HS codes to fill out your invoice correctly. The HS code is important because it allows you to categorize your goods. It is also important to note that the HS system is managed by the World Customs Organisation which maintains a database of the origin of items that have been shipped from many different countries. They record the origin at the time of despatch and track their progress through customs separately from DHL Express. You mustn’t alter the item’s origin and country of dispatch, even if they are also shipped by DHL Express.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is a lot of information to take in when sending or receiving a shipment. With DHL Express, you can be sure that the package will be delivered within the required time frame and customs fees will be paid on arrival in the receiving country.

Check out: What does FedEx's "Scheduled Delivery: Pending" Mean?