Sending Gifts

Please check what items you can’t send with DHL Express to avoid disappointment.

There are some obvious things that can't be sent for legal or health and safety reasons such as animals, illegal substances, guns and explosives. There are also less obvious items we can’t transport such as:

•    Cash
•    Aerosols
•    Perfume
•    Aftershave
•    Nail varnish
•    Power banks 
•    Party poppers
•    Rechargeable wireless earbuds (such as Apple AirPods or Samsung Galaxy Buds)
 

Although these items are popular gifts, DHL Express cannot transport them because they are either considered to be dangerous goods under transport legislation, or they compromise the safety of DHL’s employees.

Refer to our dedicated page that specifies what you can’t send with DHL as parcels containing prohibited items will either be refused or confiscated, and in some cases, destroyed. As the sender, you are responsible for ensuring that your gift is not on DHL’s prohibited and restricted list.

If you’re still unsure whether your item can be carried by  DHL Express, then please contact Customer Service. They can also verify if there are any additional restrictions in the country that you’re sending to.

Can I send gift-wrapped items with DHL Express?

Yes, you can, but in line with UK Aviation Security regulations, gift wrapped items will be opened for inspection by a qualified DHL employee and then resealed as carefully as possible. We recommend using gift bags instead of wrapping paper as it is the best way to ensure that the gift packaging remains intact.

Can I send multiple electronic devices in one parcel?

Yes, however, you can send a maximum of two electronic devices per parcel, such as mobile phones, laptops, or battery-operated toys. The items must be secured against movement, and packed using strong and rigid packaging, in order to prevent short circuit or accidental activation.

Can I use ‘gift’ as the content description to keep my gift a surprise until it is opened?

We cannot accept parcels with vague or single word content descriptions such as ‘gift’ or ‘presents’ as this may result in your parcel being delayed, stopped, or returned to you. All items in the parcel need to be listed along with the quantities and the replacement value of each item. Below are a few examples of acceptable and unacceptable content descriptions to illustrate the point: