DHL Express from ShipStation

DHL Express from ShipStation offers international shipping services to ShipStation API accounts based in the US and Canada.

This guide provides developers with the details needed to build DHL Express from ShipStation shipping capabilities into your ShipStation API workflows.

ShipStation API also allows you to connect your own existing DHL Express account, and the requirements and service details are different than those for DHL Express from ShipStation. For details about connecting and using your own DHL Express account with ShipStation API, see the DHL Express guide specific to your account country:

Requirements

US accounts carrier_name: dhl_express_worldwide Canada accounts carrier_name: dhl_express_walleted

A ShipStation API account based in either the US or Canada.
ShipStation Carriers must be activated for the account and have a positive account balance to create labels. See our Using ShipStation Carriers page for details about activating it in your account.

Rates

DHL Express from ShipStation supports rate shopping with ShipStation API.

Service Details

Available DHL Express from ShipStation services are provided below. Please note that carriers may update their available services at any time. To ensure you are always using valid services, you can use the list carrier services endpoint at any time.

International Services

Service	API Code	Origin Countries
Express Worldwide	`dhl_express_worldwide`	US, CA
Express Worldwide Documents	`dhl_express_worldwide_documents`	CA
Express 12:00 Documents	`dhl_express_worldwide_1200_documents`	CA
Express 12:00	`dhl_express_worldwide_1200`	CA
Express 10:30 Documents	`dhl_express_worldwide_1030_documents`	CA
Express 10:30	`dhl_express_worldwide_1030`	CA
Express 9:00 Documents	`dhl_express_worldwide_900_documents`	CA
SERVIExpress 9:00CENAME	`dhl_express_worldwide_900`	CA

NOTE: DHL Shipping Unavailable to US Territories

Services for DHL (Express and Ecommerce) and DHL Express by ShipStation no longer support shipments to US territories.

Optimizing Customs Data for International Shipments to Prevent Delays

To ensure smooth customs clearance and minimize the risk of shipment inspections or delays, it is critical to provide high-quality data for every international shipment. Poor data quality, specifically vague descriptions and missing HS codes, often triggers manual reviews by destination authorities.

Key Takeaways for Merchants

Be Literal: Describe the item as if you are explaining it to someone who cannot see it.
Include Part Numbers: If your product has a Part Number (PAN), include it in the reference field to help customs verify the item.
The "Rule of Three": A great description usually answers What it is, What it's made of, and What it's for.

Write Accurate Line Item Descriptions

Customs authorities need to know exactly what is being imported, what it is made of, and its intended use. Avoid using internal marketing descriptions or vague terms.

Avoid Stop Words: Words like "Sample," "Variety," or "Gift" are frequently flagged and may trigger an automatic inspection. This is a List of Common Stop Words.
Include Material Composition: For items like footwear or apparel, specify the materials (e.g., "Men’s jeans, 80% cotton, 20% polyester" instead of just "Jeans").
Detail the Product Type: Instead of "VINTAGE FOOTWEAR," use "Women’s shoes - leather upper and rubber sole."
Be Specific: Instead of "Wheel adjusted," use "Bicycle rear pivot part."

Utilizing Harmonized System (HS) Codes

Providing a correct HS code (or Commodity Code) is the most effective way to help customs officials categorize your goods.

US-Based Shippers: Use the US Census Bureau’s Schedule B Search Engine to find the correct code.
Global Shippers: Ensure you are using the most current codes required by the destination country to avoid incorrect duty/tax calculations.

Provide Part and Reference Numbers

When possible, include the specific part or item number in your commercial invoice data. Mapping these to the correct reference fields in your shipping tool (e.g., the "PAN" reference type) provides an extra layer of clarity for clearance agents and helps verify the item against the provided description.

Prohibited Stop Words & Description Comparison

Using vague language is the fastest way to get a shipment flagged for inspection. Below are examples of poor descriptions found in recent audit data versus the clear, detailed descriptions required by customs authorities.

Poor Description (Vague)	Better Description (Detailed)	Why it Matters
VINTAGE FOOTWEAR	Women's shoes: leather upper, rubber sole	Defines gender, material, and sole type.
JEANS	Men’s jeans: 80% cotton, 20% polyester	Specifies material composition for textiles.
SAMPLE / VARIETY	Stainless steel kitchen whisk (K792)	Stop Words like "Sample" or "Variety" trigger automatic flags.
HAIR PRODUCT	Organic argan oil hair serum (100ml)	Identifies the specific substance and volume.
The Mesa - Medium	Canvas messenger bag with brass buckles	Moves past marketing names to actual physical traits.

Merchant Checklist: International Shipping Compliance

To ensure your international shipments clear customs without delay, use this checklist to review your data before printing your labels.

Is the description specific? (e.g., "Men's 100% cotton t-shirt" instead of "Apparel")
Did you avoid Stop Words? (Ensure "Sample," "Gift," and "Variety" are not used)
Is the material composition listed? (e.g., "Stainless steel," "Leather," "Plastic")
Is the HS code/Commodity code included? (Use a search tool if you aren't 100% sure)
Is the Part Number (PAN) mapped correctly? (Helps verify the item in the clearance system)
Is the unit value and currency accurate? (Ensure values match your commercial invoice)

Description Logic: The "Physical" Rule

When writing descriptions, ignore your marketing names. Customs authorities don't know what a Polaris IGX 144+ Linkage Kit is. Instead, describe the physical object: Steel mechanical linkage parts for vehicle suspension.

Technical Note: Mapping Compliance Data

When integrating with international carriers, how you map data fields in your API payload directly impacts customs clearance rates. While the UI may show a single "Description" field, the backend mapping should prioritize the following:

Reference Field Mapping (PAN) To assist customs authorities in verifying shipments against digital records, ensure that product part numbers are mapped to the correct reference type.

Reference Type: PAN (Part Number)
Usage: Map your internal SKU or manufacturer part number here. This allows clearance systems to match the physical item to the digital declaration more efficiently.

Data Integrity vs. UX Display It is important to note that what the customer sees in the ShipStation or Shopify UI may not always reflect the full data payload sent to the carrier.

Payload Enrichment: Even if a merchant uses a short marketing title in their store, the integration should attempt to send the most granular description available in the product database to the description field in the customs object.
Stop Word Scrubbing: Consider implementing a validation layer that flags or prevents the use of Stop Words (Sample, Gift, Variety) in the description field before the API call is finalized. This is a List of Common Stop Words.

HS Code Automation Automating the harmonized_tariff_code field is the highest-value optimization you can provide. Ensuring this field is populated with a 6 to 10-digit code reduces the reliance on the text description alone, as the code provides a universal language for customs agents worldwide.

NOTE: Action Required: :nz: New Zealand Border Levy Changes

Effective April 1, 2026, a new NZD $2.21 (+ GST) levy applies to low-value air freight consignments entering New Zealand. This fee is separate from the 15% GST already being collected, and it applies per package, not per item.

To see how this change impacts your shipping rates and carrier invoices, see the Shipping to New Zealand: Low Value Goods (LVG) Levy section of International Shipments.

Return Services

DHL Express from ShipStation does not currently support return services.

Packages

The following carrier package types are available for DHL Express from ShipStation services:

Name	API Code	Details
Express Envelope	`dhl_express_wallet_exp_env`	Available for US shipments using Express Worldwide service only.

You can also use custom package types or the generic package package type.

Adding Shipment Insurance

DHL Express from ShipStation does not support adding carrier insurance to shipments created in ShipStation API. US accounts can add Parcelguard protection to DHL Express from ShipStation shipments.

Review the Parcel Insurance page for details about adding shipment insurance with ShipStation API.

Label Support

Label sizes: 4" x 6", 4" x 8"
Label formats: PDF

Label Reference Fields

DHL Express from ShipStation does not support adding custom label messages.

Multi-Package Labels

DHL Express from ShipStation supports creating multi-package shipments for Canada services only.

Label Branding

DHL Express from ShipStation does not support label branding.

Voiding Labels

DHL Express from ShipStation supports voiding labels with ShipStation API. Labels must be voided within 30 days of the label's creation date.

See our Void a Label page for details about voiding labels with ShipStation API.

Paperless Labels

DHL Express from ShipStation does not support creating paperless labels for details about creating paperless labels with ShipStation API.

Customs Declarations

DHL Express electronically submits your customs declarations. However, you can also download commercial invoices for DHL Express shipments from the forms_download object in the label response if needed.

Delivery Confirmation

Confirmation Type	API Code	Description
Electronic signature	`signature`	Signature is required for the shipment to be delivered. This signature may be a neighbor, building manager, or the recipient can authorize the release of the package (without being present).

See our Delivery Confirmation page for more details about using the confirmation property.

Advanced Options

DHL Express from ShipStation supports certain advanced options, which you can add to the shipment object when creating a shipment or label.

Option	Type	Default Value	Description
`saturday_delivery`	boolean	`false`	Indicates that the carrier should charge for delivery on Saturday for services that do not otherwise include Saturday delivery. Available to both US and Canada-based accounts.
`delivery_duty_paid`	boolean	`false`	Indicates the shipment is DDP (that is, the shipper is paying the duties/taxes for the shipment rather than the recipient). Available for US accounts only.

To ensure you always have the most up-to-date information about a carrier's advanced options, use the list carrier options call.

Manifests

DHL Express from ShipStation does not require manifesting your shipments.

Scheduling Pickups

DHL Express from ShipStation supports scheduling pickups using ShipStation API.

Service Points (PUDO)

DHL Express from ShipStation does not support shipping to service points.

Tracking

DHL Express from ShipStation supports receiving tracking updates. Review our Track a Package guides for details on tracking with the ShipStation API.