# Set up DHL Express
URL: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/203806429-set-up-dhl-express
Canonical: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/203806429-set-up-dhl-express
Markdown: https://support.starshipit.com/articles/203806429-set-up-dhl-express.md
Updated: 2026-05-06

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://support.starshipit.com/llms.txt).

> Step-by-step guide to setting up DHL Express.

Set up [DHL Express](https://www.starshipit.com/partner/dhl-express) in Starshipit to ship domestically and internationally from any country, with live rates, commercial invoices, and Paperless Trade support. DHL Express integrates with all [Starshipit features](https://www.starshipit.com/features) including label generation, address correction, branded tracking, and notifications.

## Before you begin

You will need the following:

* DHL Account Number
* MyDHL API username (this is different to your MyDHL username)
* MyDHL API password (this is different to your MyDHL password)

If you don't have these credentials, please follow the below instructions as outlined by DHL Express:

1. Go to the [MyDHL API Portal.](https://developer.dhl.com/express)
2. Click **Get Access.**
3. Click on sign up or if you have already registered, please sign in with your login username & password.
4. You will receive similar registration email as below with your username & password.  
   ![mceclip1.png](/uploads/articles/couriers/dhl/how-to-set-up-dhl-express/image_5648295794319.png)
5. Login to <https://developer.dhl.com/form/dhl-express-onboarding> to complete & submit the onboarding request form. This will be sent to DHL for approval.![mceclip2.png](/uploads/articles/couriers/dhl/how-to-set-up-dhl-express/image_5648296024975.png)
6. Fill out the following fields:  

   |  |  |
   | --- | --- |
   | **Name** | **Value** |
   | How would you like to use the API? | I require credentials to DHL Express – MyDHL API for an existing plugin/ecommerce platform/third-party solution |
   | Requestor Platform Name | Starshipit |

   **![mceclip0.png](/uploads/articles/couriers/dhl/how-to-set-up-dhl-express/image_5648296180111.png)**
7. Once you complete the above onboarding request form, DHL will receive your credential request. They will then approve it and provide the credentials to you directly.
8. After receiving your MyDHL API credentials, you need to request production access. Click the red button located next to the API keys for this request. Please note that processing this request might take up to a day.
9. After requesting production access, you can proceed to set up DHL Express in Starshipit by following the steps below.

## Set up DHL Express in Starshipit

1. Go to **Settings** > **Couriers** > **Add Courier** > **DHL Express**.
2. Check the **Enable DHL** checkbox.
3. Select **MyDHL API.**
4. Fill in your account number, MyDHL API username, and MyDHL API password.
5. Click **Save**.
6. Set up your product codes.

Add your product codes to complete the integration.

1. Click **Add new product codes**.
2. Fill in details as required.
3. Click **Add**.

:::note
The most common product code for DHL Express is WPX for international and DOM for domestic.
:::

## Order DHL labels

To order DHL labels (100*200), you can request a supply from DHL [here](http://www.dhl.com.au/en/express/shipping/order_supplies.html).

## Commercial Invoices & Archive Waybills

International shipments sent via DHL Express require a Commercial Invoice and an Archive Waybill (label) to be supplied with the shipment. The Commercial Invoice should be attached to package and the Archive Waybill is to be given to the DHL driver.

In most cases DHL will approve your account to be setup with a service called [Paperless Trade.](https://www.dhl.com/discover/en-sg/ship-with-dhl/start-shipping/paperless-trade)

Paperless Trade allows the Commercial Invoice and Archive Waybill to be uploaded electronically to DHL instead of being printed.

If you are setup with Paperless Trade in Starshipit, then you will only receive a single DHL label. This is all that is required for international shipments.

Some countries do not support Paperless Trade. When you create a shipment to a country which does not support Paperless Trade, Starshipit will automatically supply you with a Commercial Invoice and Archive Waybill.

### How to enable Paperless Trade

1. In your Starshipit account, go to **Settings**, then select **Couriers**.
2. Select **Settings,**next to **DHL Express**.
3. Under the **Advanced** tab, tick the option **Paperless Trade**.
4. Scroll to the very bottom of the page, and click **Save**.

#### Optional: Adding custom information to the commercial invoice

If you have information you would like to include on the commercial invoice which only applies in certain scenarios, you can use the rules engine.

1. Go to **Settings** > **Rules** > **Create a new Rule.**
2. For the condition, select when you would like it to apply (For example Destination Country contains US).
3. For the action, select **Set Invoice Declaration Text** and then enter what you would like to include.
4. Click **Save.**

The commercial invoice will now include this on the invoice like so:  
![mceclip0.png](/uploads/articles/couriers/dhl/how-to-set-up-dhl-express/image_5382283442831.png)

## Alternative account for duties and taxes

To set up your duties and taxes account number, follow the below steps:

1. Go to **Settings** > **Couriers** > **DHL Express** > **Advanced.**
2. Scroll down to the **Customs Invoice** section.
3. Enter the DHL Express account number that you would like to charge duties and taxes to for your DHL Express shipments. This can be a third party DHL Express account.
You can also set this up on a per order basis.

1. In Starshipit, open the order.
2. Scroll down and open the **Custom Details** section.
3. Edit the **Duty account #** field.
4. Click **Save**.

## Send duties and taxes to DHL

If you use Starshipit to record duties and taxes on DHL Express orders, you can choose whether those values are sent to DHL when the label is created.

Enable this when DHL should receive the indicative duties and taxes from Starshipit as part of the shipment request. This is useful for DDP workflows where duties and taxes have already been calculated or collected before dispatch.

To enable duties and taxes in the DHL request:

1. Go to **Settings > Couriers > DHL Express > Advanced**.
2. Open the **Customs Invoice** section.
3. Enable the setting to include indicative duties and taxes.
4. Click **Save**.

Before printing live shipments, test one international order and check that the duties and taxes shown in Starshipit are correct.

## Proforma invoices

A Proforma invoice is a customs document used when no commercial sale has taken place — for example, samples, gifts, or warranty replacements. Unlike a Commercial Invoice, it declares the goods and their value without implying a transaction. This helps ensure customs authorities don't apply duties based on a sale that didn't occur.

By default, DHL Express uses a Commercial Invoice for international shipments. To use a Proforma invoice instead:

1. Go to **Settings** > **Couriers** > **DHL Express** > **Advanced**.
2. Scroll down to the **Customs Invoice** section.
3. Under **Invoice Type**, select **Proforma**.
4. Click **Save**.

## GoGreen Plus

Reduce your carbon emissions with the DHL Express GoGreen Plus service. If you select the GoGreen Plus service you will incur and additional charge from DHL Express. This cost is visible in the Shipping Breakdown in UI2.0 or by hovering over the estimated rate in the classic UI.

To default the GoGreen Plus service on all eligible DHL Express shipments follow the below steps:

1. Go to **Settings > Couriers > DHL Express > Advanced.**
2. Navigate to the **Delivery Options**section.
3. Select the option **GoGreen Plus**. This will default and automatically apply the GoGreen Plus service to all DHL Express shipments.

## Troubleshooting

1. Error: "Please provide a package description"
   * In **Settings** > **Options** > **Package Description**, provide a general description of your products (e.g. Clothing, Cosmetic Product, Swimwear).
2. Error: "The system could not verify your shipping account number. Please correct this number and resubmit. For assistance call your DHL customer services representative."
   * Contact your DHL account manager because there is an issue with your DHL account.
3. Error: "An error has occurred while uploading your file".
   * If you see this error when you're attempting to upload a file for your signature/letterhead, please ensure that the "**Use staging URL**" checkbox is unticked in your settings.  
## Configure DHL Express settings

DHL Express settings cover API access, label output, delivery defaults, customs, and returns. The available controls are:

| Area | Settings |
| --- | --- |
| **Page size** | Choose the paper size and layout for **Format for outbound labels** and **Format for return labels** so labels work with your printer. |
| **Delivery options** | **Display transit times** and **Delivery Service Description**, which controls the text shown at checkout. |
| **Default delivery services** | **Authority to leave**, **Duties & Taxes Paid**, **GoGreen Plus**, **Adult Signature**, **Incoterm**, **Service point mode**, and **Enable Cash On Delivery**. |
| **Archive and label branding** | **Generate Archive Label for International Shipments**, **Generate Archive Label for Domestic Shipments**, **Hide DHL logo on labels**, **Use line item descriptions on labels**, **Display SKUs on labels**, **Display custom logo on labels and invoices**, **Custom logo**, **Display custom logo on commercial invoices**, and **Commercial invoice logo**. |
| **Returns** | **Create a return label for all outgoing packages**, **Return DHL account number**, and **Resize return labels**. |
| **Paperless trade and invoices** | **Paperless Trade (PLT)**, **Include indicative Tax and Duty where available**, **Reason for Export (Outbound)**, **Reason for Export (Returns)**, **Commercial Invoice Remarks**, **Number of Invoices**, **Invoice Type**, **DHL Duty and Tax number**, **Let DHL generate the commercial invoice**, **Email Invoice & AWB**, and **Cost of Shipping on the Commercial Invoice**. |
| **Order and contact data** | **Use sender phone number if destination phone not present**, **Use sender email address if destination email address is not present**, **Use generic description for all items in data sent to DHL**, **Use generic descriptions on the Commercial Invoice for all items**, **Apply data staging to outbound shipments**, **Use THEIR REFS as Customer Reference**, **Payment Country/Region**, **Data Staging**, **Unknown Sender**, and **Use DHL API for available products**. |
| **Dangerous goods** | **Dangerous Goods**, **Dangerous Goods Product Name**, **Select dangerous goods type**, and **Custom Dangerous Goods Text**. Choose the warning that matches the goods and confirm the choice with DHL. |
| **International and regional tax** | **Select the default pricing strategy** for duties and taxes, **ARN/ABN Number**, **EORI Number**, and **NZ IRD Number**. |
| **Other label defaults** | **Resize 100x200 labels to 100x150**, **Signature Required**, **Use 2019 Signature Required**, **Use detailed item descriptions on the label**, **Authority To Leave (default option)**, **Duties & Taxes Paid (default option)**, and **Display SKUs on Labels**. |
| **Break Bulk Express (BBX/BBE)** | Configure the BBX switch, contact name, contact email, phone, company, building, street, locality, city, postcode, state, country, country code, FOC account number, countries to apply, and whether to use BBE. DHL must enable this service for your account. |

Settings shown depend on the selected API version and account permissions. Save after changing a setting, then create a test shipment to check the label, invoice, and delivery defaults.

## Other relevant information

* For more information on DHL Express WayBills, [click here.](https://www.dhl.com/discover/en-global/ship-with-dhl/documents-and-customs-advice/how-to-create-a-waybill)
* If you use BBX (Break Bulk Express), you'll need to request DHL to whitelist you for using XML-PI for it. See also [DHL Express Break Bulk Express (BBX) Setup](/articles/couriers/dhl/set-up-dhl-express-break-bulk-express-bbx-bbe-break-bulk-economy).