What you can and can't ship with DHL — battery, weapon, food, medicine, valuables and perfume rules in one place.
DHL Express accepts a wide range of goods but prohibits or restricts several categories for safety, customs or destination-country legal reasons. Below is a consolidated view of DHL's rules across the item categories shippers ask about most — each links through to the full guide for that item.
Devices with batteries: accepted. Standalone Li-ion batteries: accepted on ground routes, air restrictions apply. Max 2 spare batteries per parcel.
Firearms, ammunition, explosives: prohibited. Knives (kitchen, hunting, professional): accepted with correct packaging. Replica weapons: check destination — prohibited to UK and several other countries.
Cash/banknotes: prohibited. Jewellery: accepted with declared value up to €50,000 (route dependent). Watches: accepted. Gold bullion/bars: prohibited. Diamonds/loose gems: prohibited.
Packaged non-perishable food: accepted internationally with correct customs declaration. Fresh/perishable food: accepted only if sender accepts liability and uses appropriate insulated packaging. No refrigeration provided.
OTC medicines and supplements: accepted with customs declaration. Prescription medicines: accepted for personal use quantities with prescription documentation. Controlled substances: not accepted without specific permits — varies by route.
Perfume/cologne: accepted on ground routes up to 1 litre per parcel. Air routes: restricted — check DHL's dangerous goods acceptance tool by origin/destination. Aerosols: accepted on ground with limits.
Rules vary by route and change periodically — always confirm with DHL's current dangerous goods policy before booking a restricted item.
Yes, on DHL's ground routes, up to 1 litre per parcel. On air routes, alcoholic perfume is restricted and subject to DHL's dangerous goods acceptance rules for the specific origin/destination — check DHL's dangerous goods tool before booking.
Devices with batteries installed (phones, laptops) are accepted. Standalone/spare lithium-ion batteries are accepted on ground routes only, with air restrictions applying and a limit of 2 spare batteries per parcel.
Cash and banknotes are prohibited. Jewellery is accepted with a declared value up to €50,000 depending on the route, as are watches. Gold bullion, gold bars and loose diamonds/gems are prohibited.
No — kitchen, hunting and professional knives are accepted with correct packaging. Firearms, ammunition and explosives are prohibited. Replica weapons are checked per destination and are prohibited to the UK and several other countries.
Prescription medicines are accepted for personal-use quantities with proper prescription documentation. Over-the-counter medicines and supplements are accepted with a customs declaration. Controlled substances are not accepted without specific permits, and rules vary by route.
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