New DHL Shipping Standards

Important message from DHL Express

DHL Express is introducing two new shipping standards that will go into effect on June 1st, 2018 and September 1st, 2018.


The message from DHL Express is as follows:

At DHL Express, we aim to provide the world’s leading time-definite international delivery service. To continue doing so, we are introducing two new shipping standards to strengthen our network and, ultimately, our service to you, our customer. These new standards will enable your international packages to be transported more safely and easily than ever before.

Specific packaging requirements

Packages that are not properly packed can be easily damaged as well as inflict damage to other shipments. To ensure your items arrive in the exact condition in which they were shipped, as of 1 June 2018, all shipments and pieces entering our network will need to be properly packed. Our trained couriers will assess the packaging at the time of pick-up and will only accept adequately packed shipments. To assist you, please download our Large & Palletized Packing Guide, at www.dhlpackingguide.com.

Maximum Piece Weight and Dimensions

To ensure the best possible speed of our world-class network, effective 1 September 2018, we will only accept shipments that contain pieces up to 660 pounds (300 kilograms) in actual weight and 118 inches (300 centimeters) in length. The total maximum weight for a multi-piece shipment remains unchanged, at 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms). This is exclusively for the Time Definite International (TDI) product. We will also be adjusting our shipping and booking systems so that you will no longer be able to book these TDI shipments for pick-up, and our couriers and warehouse employees will not process these pieces, but will return the entire shipment if it exceeds these limits.

Keep in mind that this change will only affect you if you are processing shipments with pieces over 660 pounds (300 kilograms) in scale weight or 118 inches (300 centimeters) in length. Remember, you could always break these down into smaller individual pieces that are accepted in our DHL Express network or we can help you work with our DHL Global Forwarding division. Your DHL Express sales representative will be happy to discuss all the options that are available to you.

Thank you for your support and understanding. We promise to continue our best-in-class service quality in delivering for your business.