Details about ShipStation's integration with DHL Express. Includes integration requirements, connection process, features, pickups, claims, and other notes.
The ShipStation integration with DHL Express allows you to connect your own DHL Express account so you can create international shipping labels to ship anywhere in the world.
Additionally, with a DHL Express account connected to your ShipStation account, you can start scheduling next-day DHL Express pickups directly from within the ShipStation interface.
If you do not yet have an account, go to the DHL Express Open an Account page to get started.
DHL Express COVID-Related Service Updates!
Updated April 10, 2022: DHL Express has added an emergency situation surcharge for deliveries. You will see this surcharge reflected in your rate estimate and Carrier Fee in ShipStation. For more information about the surcharge, see the DHL Express Emergency Situation Surcharge page.
For details about other temporary service adjustments, see Service Information Corona Virus for up-to-date information.
Connection Requirements:
DHL Express accounts started ON or AFTER April 30th, 2021:
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Account Number
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Site ID
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Password
DHL Express accounts started BEFORE April 30th, 2021:
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An active account with DHL Express.
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Your DHL Express account number.
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Your DHL Express Site ID and Password.
To obtain this, you must register for credentials on the DHL Express XML Developer Portal.
International Requirements:
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ShipStation generates a commercial invoice for you and uploads this to DHL Express. You may also print a copy to include in your shipment.
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Federal tax ID and EORI numbers are sent electronically. Any additional tax identifiers will be included on the commercial invoice.
To connect your DHL Express account to ShipStation:
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Select the DHL Express tile and click Connect.
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Enter your DHL Express Account Number, Site ID, and Password.
Note
To obtain your DHL Express Site ID, you must register for credentials on the DHL Express XML Developer Portal.
Then, choose an Account Nickname (this is only to identify the account in ShipStation).
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Click Connect.
The ShipStation integration with DHL Express supports these standard features:
The ShipStation integration with DHL Express allows for these additional features:
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Feature |
Description |
|---|---|
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Paperless Trade (PLT) |
ShipStation will automatically try to submit customs information electronically through DHL Express' PLT service. If ShipStation is not able to submit customs information through PLT (either because it's not enabled for your DHL Express account or because the destination country does not support PLT), you will need to print any necessary customs forms. |
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IOSS and TIN support |
ShipStation formally supports IOSS and other Tax Identifier Numbers. Set up your TIN in International Settings. |
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Country of origin in the customs line items |
ShipStation now sends the country of origin in the customs line items and also includes “place of incoterm”. |
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Third-Party and Recipient billing |
You can assign the billing to a third-party or recipient DHL Express account using Other Shipping Options. |
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Schedule Pickup within ShipStation app |
Under the Shipments tab, use the DHL Pickups option (available if DHL Express is connected to your account). From here you can schedule a pickup time for DHL Express shipments. Review the Schedule a DHL Express Pickup section below for details. |
ShipStation allows you to schedule a pickup time for your DHL Express shipments directly within the ShipStation application.
You may incur a pickup fee if you schedule a single pickup when you use an individual DHL Express account.
To schedule a pickup for your DHL Express Shipments:
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Select DHL Express from the Schedule a Pickup drop-down menu.
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Fill in this required information: Ship From location, the primary contact for this shipment, date of pickup, and time frame.
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Click the Schedule Pickup button to submit the pickup.
Note
The DHL Scheduler Pickup Date will default to the next day so you might not see any Open Shipments appear in the pop-up. To view open shipments, change the Pickup Date to match the Ship Date on the label.
Cancel a Scheduled Pickup
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Voiding a label in ShipStation does not void that shipment within the DHL Express system.
DHL does not provide the capability to void labels. You will not be charged for the label unless the shipment is physically picked up and scanned into the network by a courier.
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DHL shipments created in ShipStation appear in DHL ProView on your DHL account. The shipments will not appear in the MyDHL shipments tab.
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All DHL Express shipments created after July 1st, 2021 require dimensions.
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When you use the multi-package shipping option, there is a limit of 99 packages, with a maximum total weight of 1000 kgs (2200 lbs).
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DHL Express requires a Company Name in both the Ship To and Ship From address fields. If no Company Name is available, ShipStation will reuse the Name field.
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ShipStation will combine all three Label Messages into a message that will display as Ref #1 on the DHL Express shipping labels.
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No rates for reseller accounts will appear in ShipStation. Rates for reseller accounts will not display in ShipStation unless they link their rates with InXpress, Preferred Shipping. See details in Available Features.
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DHL is likely to return shipments sent to residential addresses in Russia back to the sender. This is because Russian customs authorities examine all dutiable shipments with extreme scrutiny and there is no guarantee the package will be sent to its destination after inspection. You may wish to use a different carrier for shipments bound for a residential address in Russia.
DHL will deliver shipments to commercial addresses without issue.
DHL Fee Adjustments
DHL reserves the right to charge adjustments for administrative and other costs. It is the shipper's responsibility to address all DHL shipment fees and subsequent adjustments.
To ensure your rates in ShipStation are accurate, be sure to always enter the true weight and dimensions of all shipments before creating the labels. See the DHL website for more details or contact DHL support.
Here are some common issues, potential causes, and troubleshooting tips.
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Issue |
How to troubleshoot or resolve |
|---|---|
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Error: The requested Special Service Codes AA is not available. Please make sure data entered is valid before proceeding or contact our customer service. |
What it means: You have likely selected non-supported options for your DHLX shipments. This error likely indicates that incorrect Other Shipping Options are being used. What to do: See the Label Options section of the Available Shipping Options by Carrier help article to confirm which options are supported. Or, try removing the options one by one to see which option is causing the error. Then proceed with the shipment without selecting that option. |
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Error: Validation: Pickup location notes must be provided TransactionID=XXXXX |
What it means: This error may occur when you attempt to schedule a pickup for DHL Express from ShipStation and cannot edit the contact information. What to do:
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DHL Express cannot find the recipient address when you attempt to create a label. |
Typically these errors will be displayed in one of two ways:
Both of these errors indicate that the recipient address is not formatted properly for DHL Express shipments. Compare the address details using the DHL Compatibility Tool and correct the address where needed. |