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Will DHL deliver if I don't pay Customs?

Author

Jackson Reed

Updated on March 09, 2026

You will not be paying to DHL any further shipping costs. Rather, you will be asked instead to pay customs duties, taxes and other import charges related to customs clearance in your home country, as per local regulations.

What happens if you don't pay DHL Customs UK?

If the sender does not pay the import duties and VAT, DHL will pay the import duties and VAT due to Customs so that your parcel can be imported. DHL will pass on to you the costs it pays to Customs. Your parcel can only be delivered to you once you have paid the full amount and administration fees* to DHL.

Does DHL bypass Customs?

To ensure the DHL courier can deliver your goods in shortest possible time after entering your country or customs union, DHL pays the customs authority on your behalf for any duties and Tax/VAT that are due on the goods.

What happens if you don't pay customs?

What happens if I don't pay the customs charge by the “pay by date”? If the customs charge is not paid by the “pay by date” the item will be returned to the sender.

Will DHL deliver without payment?

Payment must be made on the brokerage invoice in order for the package to be delivered. A driver cannot deliver a package without first collecting the payment. Would you like DHL to be your customs broker?

How To Release Shipment without Paying Customs

What happens if you refuse to pay import fees?

You will have to pay the return shipping charges. Abandon the package in customs. This is not recommended, and the package will likely be destroyed.

Does DHL ask for payment before delivery?

Fraudulent Use of the DHL Brand

In most cases the communications concern the sale of consumer goods over the Internet where payment may be requested before the goods are delivered. Please be advised that DHL does not request payment in this manner. DHL only collects money due for official DHL related shipping expenses.

How do I avoid custom charges?

There is no way to avoid customs duties, customs officers will check all items entering the country and charges will be applied where necessary. If you simply put 'gift' on the customs invoice, this does not mean it will not attract duty as they will still check the value of what is in the box.

Do customs check every package?

Does customs check every package? The short answer is yes. Customs checks all inbound international packages and mail. During this process, a customs officer in the country you're shipping to will review the package to make sure it meets the country's laws, regulations and policies.

Do I have to pay to receive a parcel from abroad?

If you are receiving a shipment from abroad there is no duty-free amount. Exemptions are only available when traveling. Your friend paid the cost of shipping and was given an option, either to have duty and taxes charged back to them or to have you pay duty and taxes.

How do I know if I have to pay customs?

You'll need to pay customs duty (or import tax) on any goods you move across the US border from other countries, though goods from some countries are exempt due to different international trade agreements. The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enforces customs rules.

How do I stop DHL Customs?

Summary of How to Avoid Paying Custom Fees

  1. Don't pay taxes/duties and if they try to deliver, refuse the package.
  2. Wait for the package to arrive in Canada.
  3. Call the courier and let them know you'd like to self-clear. ...
  4. Find your closest CBSA Inland Office.
  5. At the CBSA office, pay the taxes and duties owed.

Does DHL do cash on delivery?

DHL e-commerce's new cash-on-delivery service, which allows consumers to pay for international online purchases with cash as a part of the company's “parcel international direct” channel.

Why have I been charged Customs fee?

This is an additional fee we charge in order to clear your parcel through Customs quickly and pay the customs duty, excise duty and import VAT on your behalf. This allows us to cover the cost of handling the parcel, administration, collection of monies and provision of facilities for Customs clearance.

How much can I import without paying duty?

Mailing and Shipping Goods - Customs Duty Guidance

Up to $1,600 in goods will be duty-free under your personal exemption if the merchandise is from an IP. Up to $800 in goods will be duty-free if it is from a CBI or Andean country. Any additional amount, up to $1,000, in goods will be dutiable at a flat rate (3%).

Can you avoid import tax?

Depending on what you bought, you may have to pay an import duty, which is a type of tax levied by the federal government on particular imported items. Unfortunately, there's no legal way to avoid import duty—if the duty is owed, someone has to pay it.

Can you claim customs duty back?

a) Duty can be refunded if paid at the general rate of duty as specified in Schedule 1 Part 1 provided that proof is produced that the goods concerned qualify for a preferential rate of duty.

Does DHL pay Customs?

For Parcel and Document Shipments

Need to arrange a customs duty payment for your Parcel or Document shipment? Enter your tracking code and we'll find you the correct Customer Service Team or Online Tool to proceed. We are unable to arrange an online duty payment for shipments without a tracking code.

Is it illegal to send cash by courier?

Most courier companies would agree that shipping money inside a parcel is not allowed. A stolen parcel with some money inside is not mainly a pleasant surprise for the sender. Cash is a rather common item on the list of the forbidden and not recommended things when shipping with courier companies.

How do I pay by DHL?

Please visit our secure payment site or call our payment self-service line at 1-866-768-7801. Online Bill Payment: To pay your DHL invoices through your bank please add "DHL Express (Canada) Ltd." as a Payee. Use your 9 digit DHL account number when creating DHL as the payee.

Can I refuse DHL delivery?

Can I refuse delivery? | Online stores: Shopee, eBay | Couriers: UPS, FedEx, DHL, DPD & other. In general, as a receiver, you can cancel and refuse the courier delivery.

Can you cancel DHL shipment?

Canceling Shipments

You can cancel the shipment in MyDHL+ if it is: Not already within the scheduled pickup time. For a date in the future.

How do I pay duty and taxes DHL?

We offer three convenient payment options for DHL Express servics:

  1. Online via DHL MyBill. You can choose to pay with a credit card or transfer bank funds for all of your DHL Express export or import accounts. ...
  2. By Phone with a Credit Card. 1 800-722-0081. ...
  3. By Mail. DHL Express (U.S.A.), Inc.

How do I avoid customs fees UK?

You may be able to pay no Customs Duty or a reduced amount of duty for goods you bring or receive into the UK, depending on what they are and what you do with them.
...
You can reduce or pay no duty if you temporarily import goods such as:

  1. samples.
  2. professional equipment.
  3. items for auction.
  4. exhibition goods.
  5. demonstration goods.