There are rules about what you can send in your package. As the sender, you’re expected to know which products you may and may not ship. For safety reasons, you may not ship the following items with DHL (among others):
Offensive products
Products that may be considered offensive (such as pornography or goods that are politically sensitive). Packaging must also not be perceived as provocative.
Excise goods outside the Netherlands
Excise goods destined for locations outside the Netherlands.
Alcoholic beverages
Alcoholic beverages.
Perishable products
Perishable goods; products that cannot or may not be transported without special (temperature) control.
Animals and animal products
Animals, both dead and alive (including insects), animal parts (including fur, ivory, horns, and antlers), hunting trophies, and taxidermy.
Dual‑use goods
Goods, software, and technology that may have military applications or could contribute to the production or proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (e.g., nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons). These are “dual‑use” items as described in EU Regulations 428/2009 and 2019/2199.
Cash and valuable documents
Cash, coins, payment cards, phone cards, and securities/documents of value (passports, deeds of ownership, etc.).
Hazardous materials
Hazardous materials (chemicals, paint, fireworks, batteries and accumulators, perfume, etc.).
Food, medicines, and pharmaceuticals
Food items, medicines, and pharmaceutical products (unless they may be transported without special temperature control and the items are properly packaged).
Human remains and biological materials
Human organs and human remains (including ashes) and items collected for testing, such as blood, urine, feces, etc.
Unaccompanied baggage
Unaccompanied baggage.
Parcels with inherent defects
Parcels with an inherent defect that, due to their nature, could damage people, goods, or equipment.
Plants, manure, and related products
Plants (with the exception of flower bulbs, seeds, and tubers), Christmas trees (with or without root balls), manure, fertilizers, and plant nutrients not dissolved in water—both organic and synthetic.
Products with special requirements
Products requiring special facilities, safety measures, or permits.
Narcotics and related products
Narcotics/drugs and products related to or resembling them, including (but not limited to) substances/products subject to the Opium Act (Opiumwet) and/or products containing CBD (Cannabidiol) and/or THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), whether natural or synthetic.
Valuable items
Art, antiques, gemstones and precious metals, jewelry, and watches with a value of €5,000 or more.
Products prohibited by law
Such as:
- Illegal goods, including counterfeit items.
- Items whose transport is prohibited by law in the country of origin, transit, or destination.
- (Replicas of) firearms, bladed weapons, striking weapons, and/or parts thereof, as described in the Weapons and Ammunition Act.
- Prohibited items such as firearms, explosives, military goods, and (parts of) ammunition.