Customs information for sending parcels

When sending international items with DHL (DHL Paket International, DHL Päckchen International, DHL Europaket) to countries within the European Union (EU), a customs declaration is not required.

Here, you can download an overview of the countries and regions in the EU.

When sending a DHL Paket to countries outside the EU, a customs declaration CN23 must be filled in and attached to the parcel in an envelope.

When sending a DHL Päckchen to countries where customs duties apply (non-EU), customs declaration CN22 must be filled in for goods worth up to 300 Special Drawing Rights, which equates to roughly EUR 350. The franking of parcels containing goods worth more than 300 Special Drawing Rights is permitted only when using the DHL Online Franking service. In this case, the required CN23 is printed automatically.

The customs declaration must be attached to the address side of the parcel. 

• If using the DHL Online Franking service, a CN22/23 is automatically filled in using your information on the input screen. Once the purchase is complete, you receive both the CN22/23 and the label so that you can print them.
• If you want to frank your shipment in the branch, the "DHL Paket und Päckchen Welt" shipping label must be filled in by hand.
  Detailed information on how to fill in the shipping label correctly can be found here:
  
  Instructions for filling in the "Paket und Päckchen Welt" shipping label (German)*
  
  Multilingual instructions for filling in the "Paket und Päckchen Welt" shipping label
  
  Please note that different languages are permitted for filling in the customs declaration depending on the destination country and the type of franking. Here, you can find an overview of which languages may be used for which countries.

The information on the customs declaration helps the customs authorities to determine the country-specific customs duties and import taxes that must be paid by the recipient in each case. In some countries, customs handling and/or customs processing fees may also be levied.

Please note that incomplete or incorrect address or customs information may result in the shipment being returned and the sender being charged.

Note:
In certain cases, when sending a DHL Paket to non-EU states or EU exception areas, an export declaration is required (see below for more information).

* Please use a desktop computer to ensure that this PDF file is displayed optimally.

• The sender assumes the risk for all consequences arising from the shipment of non-permissible goods abroad, the non-observance of import and customs regulations of other countries (including transit regulations), the incorrect or inadequate filling-in of the customs declaration (CN23 or CN22) or any other accompanying paperwork, and from the non-observance of applicable export regulations. This also applies to damages incurred by the sender as a result of any loss of claim to compensation if the shipment is confiscated by the customs authorities of another country. It is the sender's responsibility to obtain the relevant information for themselves from the recipients of the shipments, overseas representatives of the country of destination or transit, foreign trade offices, chambers of commerce and industry or other appropriate places.
• It should be noted that, even when sending within EU states, customs and excise obligations may arise from other stipulations relating to customs, taxation or foreign trade legislation.
• Deutsche Post AG can provide information on import and customs regulations (including transit regulations) in foreign countries provided that it has access to such information.
• No guarantee is provided for the correctness of this information. By calling the customer service team on +49 (0)228 4333112, you can obtain further information and non-binding advice, for instance on the "Liste des objets interdits" (list of banned objects) published by the International Office of the Universal Postal Union.

In certain cases, when sending a DHL Paket International to non-EU states or EU exception areas, an export declaration is required.

An export declaration is required if

• the shipment contains goods that are intended for commercial purposes and whose total value exceeds EUR 1,000 or
• the shipment contains goods that are intended for commercial purposes and form part of a regular series of similar transactions and the material value of the individual shipment is less than EUR 1,000 but the total material value of all shipments exceeds EUR 1,000 or
• the shipment contains goods for which a guarantee of export rebate or other sums or the reimbursement of expenses is intended or has been applied for,
• that are banned or restricted, or are subject to export approval for goods, production documents and technologies as a result of the regulations laid down in foreign trade legislation and the legal acts of the Council or Commission of the European Communities or 
• are subject to other formalities (e.g. requirement for an export licence, statistical formalities).

Note
The exporter or their representative is obliged as per Section 9 para. 1 of the German Foreign Trade Ordinance (AWV) to register the goods electronically with the export customs office before handover to Deutsche Post AG.

1. Register the export of your goods via the online customs tool Internetausfuhranmeldung Plus (IAA Plus) or, if you are a user of ATLAS (Automatisiertes Tarif- und lokales Zollabwicklungssystem), directly with your relevant customs office.
2. The code DE003305 must always be used as the departure customs office for all shipments sent via Deutsche Post, regardless of their destination country. (Exception Canary Islands, Ceuta, Melilla: ES002803)
3. Please print out a separate Export Accompanying Document (EAD) for each shipment. You will recognise the export accompanying document from its Movement Reference Number (MRN) and MRN barcode, which serve as a means of identifying the export declaration within the processing chain.
4. Place the export accompanying document as the topmost document in the self-adhesive transparent parcel registration card pouch and secure it to the outside of the parcel. Please note that your parcel is not correctly assembled and thus the export process cannot be completed electronically if the export accompanying document is placed inside the shipment or attached to the delivery list.
5. Near the shipment address, affix the warning "Achtung! Ausfuhranmeldung". Simply print out the label (black and white is acceptable), cut it out and affix it to the shipment next to the address label using glue.
   
   You can download the label further down this page.

Please note:
If it is discovered when the parcel is handed over to Deutsche Post AG that any of the required documents are missing, Deutsche Post AG must refuse to accept the shipment and will return the parcel to the person dropping it off.

With effect from 01/07/2009, you will only be able to make an export declaration electronically. Written customs declarations using copies 1-3 of the single administrative document will no longer be accepted from 01/07/2009.

Your export shipment can only be processed correctly and the export process completed electronically if you follow the points below carefully. The electronic "exit confirmation" message sent by customs is also your proof for VAT purposes.