Carrier Guide

DHL Commercial Invoice Guide

How to prepare a DHL commercial invoice with complete goods data, customs values, EORI or tax IDs, and a clear shipment purpose.

Last reviewed: June 10, 2026

Quick Answer

Use a commercial invoice for DHL Express shipments that contain goods. DHL and customs authorities need clear line-item data, declared values, origin details, and the correct shipper and receiver information before the shipment can clear customs.

Best for

DHL Express international parcels, samples, business shipments, and e-commerce orders.

Key risk

Vague goods descriptions and missing tax identifiers can trigger customs questions or DHL clearance delays.

Invoice type

Use Commercial Invoice for sales and Pro Forma Invoice for samples, gifts, or goods sent without payment.

Data priority

DHL emphasizes complete goods line-item data for fast and compliant clearance.

What DHL needs on the invoice

DHL commercial invoices should make the customs story easy to understand: who shipped the goods, who receives them, what each item is, what it is worth, where it was made, and why it is being exported.

Do not rely on the shipping label alone. The label moves the parcel, but the invoice explains the goods for customs valuation, duty assessment, import eligibility, and compliance review.

Complete shipper, receiver, and sold-to details when different from the receiver.
Detailed item descriptions that identify material, product type, intended use, and model or SKU when relevant.
Quantity, unit value, total value, currency, country of origin, and HS or tariff code for each item.
Shipment purpose such as sale, sample, gift, return, repair, or replacement.
EORI, VAT, IOSS, or local tax IDs when the destination requires them.

How to describe goods for DHL

DHL clearance teams and destination customs authorities need product-level detail. A description like 'clothing' is too broad. A better description is 'men's cotton T-shirt, knitted, short sleeve, size M'.

If the shipment contains multiple products, list each type separately. Combining unlike products into one generic line makes it harder for customs to classify the shipment and can lead to a document request.

DHL Paperless Trade and digital invoices

DHL supports electronic customs invoice workflows in many lanes. Even when the invoice is submitted digitally, the same content rules apply: complete line-item data, consistent values, accurate origin, and clear tax identifiers.

If the destination or shipment type still requires printed documents, place the invoice where DHL instructs and keep a copy with your shipping records.

Invoice Checklist

Use the same shipper, receiver, and sold-to names as the DHL booking.
Enter DHL waybill or tracking reference if available.
Use specific goods descriptions instead of broad categories.
Add HS code, origin country, quantity, unit value, and total value for each line item.
Include EORI, VAT, IOSS, or tax ID numbers when required by the destination.
State the shipment purpose and Incoterm clearly.
Sign the declaration when a signature is required for the lane.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Writing 'sample', 'parts', 'gift', or 'clothes' without enough product detail.
Using a zero value for samples or gifts instead of a defensible customs value.
Leaving EORI or VAT fields blank for EU or UK shipments that require them.
Using a pro forma invoice for a paid sale shipment.
Making the invoice value inconsistent with the order, packing list, or DHL shipment record.

Before You Ship

This guide is educational and not customs, tax, legal, or brokerage advice. Carrier policies and customs rules can change. Verify current requirements with your carrier, destination customs authority, or licensed customs broker before shipping.

Official Sources Checked

Create the invoice after you check the requirements

Use DocInvo to create a commercial or pro forma invoice PDF in your browser. No sign-up is required, and invoice data is not stored on our server.

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