I’m based in the US and offer international shipping via DHL Express. I received an international order, printed the DHL label, included the packaging slip in my order & the package was picked up by a DHL representative.
I know when I’ve received orders from international suppliers/stores, they always include a customs form on their shipments. During the fulfillment process, Shopify didn’t include any customs forms for me to print & include in the order. So, I called DHL and said some of the necessary customs information might be missing from my package & the representative said they would send me an email & let me know which information is missing so that I can then provide it. I really would not like to have to go through this process every time I have an international order.
Under the product attributes in my inventory page, I have included the Country of Origin and HS code, which Shopify states will be “shown on customs forms you print during fulfillment,” but I didn’t see an option anywhere to print any sort of customs form.
I really wish someone had an answer to this. I also am currently having an issue with DHL not taking my packages because it is lacking in customs forms. All other international I have shipped with people other than DHL have printed customs forms. What exactly are we supposed to do?
So I just realized that DHL does a lot of PAPERLESS customs invoices. If you don’t see a button to print customs forms, it is likely paperless - it will say so on the shipping label itself also.
Also, scheduling the pickup is fast, free. I liked it alot better than wasting my thermal paper!
Hope this helps.
The same thing happened to me and upon further digging, DHL often uses electronic customs forms. So, if your Shopify shipping label did not include the customs forms, it might actually be okay. On Shopify’s website, it says:
“If you’re shipping to a supported country, then your customs documentation is automatically submitted electronically, and you need to print only the shipping label. Destination countries and regions that support Paperless Trade are covered in DHL Express’ Digital Customs Invoice FAQ. If you’re shipping to a non-supported country or region, then you need to print the customs forms and attach them to your shipment.”
