Prohibited & Restricted Items
Before you book a shipment, check whether your items are accepted for carriage via DHL Express. Some goods are never accepted; others require special approval.
Never Accepted — Prohibited Items
These items cannot be shipped via DHL Express under any circumstances, regardless of destination or declared purpose.
Restricted Items — Prior Approval Required
These items can be shipped via DHL Express, but only with prior written agreement from DHL. Attempting to ship them without approval risks refusal, seizure, or return at the sender's expense.
Not Sure? Here's What to Do
DHL publishes country-specific prohibited items — use their official guide to check your specific destination.
If you're unsure about a specific item, message us on WhatsApp before you pack your parcel — it's much easier to resolve before drop-off than after.
Always describe the contents of your parcel accurately on the customs declaration. Underdeclaring or misdescribing contents can result in delays, seizure, or account penalties.
Our shipping FAQ page covers common questions about customs, restricted items, and what to expect when shipping from Luxembourg.
Common Questions About Prohibited Items
Perfumes, aftershaves, and eau de toilette are classified as flammable liquids and are restricted for DHL Express shipments. They can only be shipped with prior DHL approval and proper dangerous goods packaging and documentation. If you're a personal shipper (not a business account holder), these are effectively not shippable via DHL Express.
Yes — devices with lithium batteries installed (like phones, laptops, tablets) can generally be shipped when the battery is integral to the device and the device is properly packaged. What's restricted is shipping loose lithium batteries separately, in large quantities, or batteries that are damaged or recalled. Always declare electronics accurately on the customs form.
Dry, shelf-stable food (biscuits, chocolate, packaged goods) is generally fine with an accurate customs declaration. Perishable food — anything that needs refrigeration or freezing — is restricted and not accepted for standard DHL Express shipments. Destination country import rules also apply: some countries restrict or prohibit certain food imports regardless of how they're packaged.
If a prohibited item is discovered — either at collection, during transit, or at customs — DHL may refuse to accept the parcel, return it to the sender at the sender's expense, or in serious cases hand it over to customs or law enforcement. There's no compensation for prohibited items that are seized or destroyed. It's always better to check before you pack.
Yes — in addition to DHL's global prohibited items list, each destination country has its own import restrictions. For example, certain foods, medications, religious materials, or cultural items may be restricted or prohibited in specific countries even if they're fine to ship from Luxembourg. DHL's country-specific import guidelines are the most reliable way to check before shipping.
Ready to ship — and your item is fine?
Get an instant DHL Express quote from Luxembourg — no account needed.