Porhibited And Restricted Items

DHL International (Canada)


Prohibited Commodities for Canada

The following commodities are not acceptable for transport by DHL under any circumstances.

This is a result of a policy decision, following the full consideration of Operational, Legal and Risk Management implications.

  • Live animals
  • Hunting (Animal) trophies, animal parts such as ivory and sharks fin, animal remains, or Animal-by-Products and derived products not intended for human consumption, prohibited for movement by the CITES Convention and/or local law.
  • Human remains or ashes
  • Bullion (of any precious metal)
  • Cash (current legal tender)
  • Loose precious and semi-precious stones
  • Complete firearms, ammunition, explosives / explosive devices
  • Illegal goods, such as counterfeit goods and narcotics
Property, the carriage of which is prohibited by any law, regulation or statute of any federal, state or local government of any country to or through which the shipment may be carried.

If you are in any doubt as to the acceptability of your goods, please contact your DHL representative prior to shipping.

Counterfeit Goods are Prohibited

DHL's security policy states that it is not allowed to transport counterfeit goods via the DHL network. DHL does not want to be associated with counterfeit goods and upon suspicion of such goods being imported, Customs will be informed. It is prohibited in many countries to introduce counterfeit goods and where proven the Customs authority will seize the goods and penalize the buyer.
 If you are offered very low prices for branded goods that are sold on shopping websites or via other channels, you can normally assume that the goods are counterfeit. High quality branded goods that are often copied are:
  • Shoes
  • Clothing
  • Bags
  • Expensive Watches
  • CDs and DVDs
  • Perfumes
  • Electronics

Shipping Commodities – What You Need to Know

Certain commodities are considered as “Non-Document” and need to be accompanied by an invoice and, in some cases, additional customs documentation. Other commodities are considered simply as a “Document” and only require a DHL Waybill to be completed. The following list explains what you need to do in order to ship various commodities.

Document Commodities (Require only DHL Waybill)

Advertising brochures/pamphlets
Airline tickets, blank stock (NI)
Airline tickets, issued/validated
Annual reports
Blank forms
Booklets, brochures (non-adv.)
Business cards
Calendars
Cheques, cashier (NI)
Computer printouts
Deed
Documents, general business
Invoices, not blank
Manuscripts
Pamphlets
Photos as part of business reports
Price lists
Shipping schedules

ALL: The minimum accepted value for DOX is the cost to produce the material. For Non Commercial DOX shipments (No sale involved or COMAT), the generally accepted rate for valuation is CAD $0.04 per KG. Maximum value for DOX is CAD $20.00 (Approx. USD$17.50). If higher must ship as WPX to all Canadian Gateways.

Blank Forms: The text 'Non-contaminated' is required on the AWB and supporting documents. Must also adhere to all IATA regulations for transportation. Health Canada may inspect.  

Price List and Invoices, not blank: 
Cannot be cleared by DHL. Strictly regulated by Government Agency.

Commodities where you should contact your local Customer Service advisor to clarify shipping requirements

Alcoholic beverages: Cannot be cleared by DHL. Must be cleared by outside broker designated by Local Government Agency. Cannot move DDP. This includes personal importation.

Medical samples: The text 'Non-contaminated' is required on the AWB and supporting documents. Must also adhere to all IATA regulations for transportation. Health Canada may inspect.

Passports and Visa applications: Passports will be inspected by Canada Border Services Agency (Customs) upon arrival, delay in clearance and delivery possible.

Personal effects: Must be cleared by actual cnee. Cannot be cleared by DHL or Outside broker unless consignee is willing to pay duties and taxes based on value stipulated by customs after inspection.

Tobacco: Cannot be cleared by DHL. Strictly regulated by Government Agency.
All other commodities are Non-Document in nature and should be accompanied by a DHL Waybill and an Invoice.
Prohibited – not acceptable

Animals, fish, birds (live)
Banderols / tax stickers
Bullion (of any precious metal)
“Cash-like” negotiable instruments in bearer form
Complete firearms, ammunition, explosives and weapons
Drugs (i.e. Illegal)
Human remains or ashes
Illegal goods

Restricted – may be acceptable

Firearms parts
Items that could be used as weapons
Furs and ivory
Insects, larvae, pupae, etc.
Jewelery and objects constructed of preciousmetals and /or stones
Loose precious stones
Medical samples
Negotiable instruments in bearer form
Tobacco
Watches and costume jewelery
Conditional – possible for carriage

Antiques, works of art, fine art
Dangerous goods
Designer clothing, apparel, accessories
Drugs (legal) and pharmaceutical products
Mobile telephones, accessories and electronic components
Perishable items
Pornography

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