DHL Customs Clearance — What It Means and How Long It Takes
What It Means
DHL customs clearance statuses — 'Clearance in progress,' 'Clearance event,' 'Customs status updated,' or 'Clearance delay' — mean the package is being processed by customs authorities in the destination country. DHL acts as the customs broker for most shipments, submitting import documentation on the receiver's behalf.
Customs clearance involves verifying the shipment against the customs declaration: HS code, declared value, origin country, contents description, and recipient information. Simple, low-value personal shipments clear in hours. Commercial imports, regulated goods, or shipments with incomplete documentation can take days.
In some cases, DHL may contact the recipient directly for additional information, import permits, or payment of duties and taxes. Missing this contact can cause packages to be held for weeks.
What To Do Next
- 1Check your email and DHL tracking page for any requests from DHL Customs for documentation, permits, or duty payment
- 2Ensure you have the sender's commercial invoice with HS codes, declared value, and country of origin — DHL may request this
- 3If duties are owed, pay promptly — unpaid duties hold the package indefinitely
- 4For restricted items (food, supplements, electronics over certain values), provide any required import permits
- 5Contact DHL's customs team directly if the status has been 'clearance in progress' for more than 5 business days without any communication
Frequently asked questions
Related Tracking Statuses
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