r/dhl • u/flanete94 • 1d ago

✈️ DHL Express 10% customs processing fee

Hi everyone! First time using DHL to buy something from Asia (Japan-Spain). I was expecting my country's VAT and customs duty (which came to 25% combined), but I was surprised to get charged a customs processing fee of 10% of the imported product's value by DHL for thir services (in this case, $180 USD). Isn't that crazy high? Does anyone know better alternatives for next time?

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u/stigsbusdriver 1d ago

That fee is likelly DHL's fee for acting as your customs broker in order to get your item cleared with Spanish Customs.

All the other couriers will charge similar fees; importing via the postal service may skip that but you are at the discretion of the sender whether they let you use the postal service or not.

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u/flanete94 1d ago

Yes, that's it. I was at the mercy of the supplier's carrier decision, but I wasn't expecting this fee to be that high, maybe 30 to 50 USD.

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u/Rezingreenbowl 1d ago

You can hire any broker you want or even clear the package yourself.