DHL Parcel UK

DHL Parcel UK offers domestic and international shipping to over 160 countries worldwide for shipments originating in the United Kingdom. Their home collection service is available Monday-Friday to ship standard parcels (0-15kg) and even extra-large parcels (25kg). They also provide a one-hour-collection-window so you don’t need to wait all day to meet the driver. For smaller parcels, you may prefer to use their drop-off services and save money in the process.

This guide provides developers with the details needed to build DHL Parcel UK shipping capabilities into your ShipStation API workflows.

Requirements

Optional Pickup Account Connection Fields

There are several optional properties in the DHL Parcel UK connection call, based on the type of Pickup Account you have: Domestic and Channel Islands Shipping, International Air Shipping, or International Road Shipping.

If you would like to add your Pickup Account with your DHL Parcel UK connection, include the following additional information relevant to your Pickup Account type:

Shipping Requirements

Connect Account

You can connect a DHL Parcel UK account using the POST method to the /v1/connections/carriers/ endpoint, or via the ShipStation API Dashboard.

For instructions on connecting DHL Parcel UK via the ShipStation API dashboard, go to our DHL Parcel UK help article.

Connect via Endpoint

carrier_name: dhl_parcel_uk

POST /v1/connections/carriers/:carrier_name

Sample request:

This example request contains the properties for all Pickup Account types. For the best outcome, only use the information relevant to your Pickup Account type when making your connection call.

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POST /v1/connections/carriers/dhl_parcel_uk HTTP/1.1
Host: api.shipengine.com
API-Key: __YOUR_API_KEY_HERE__
Content-Type: application/json
{
  "nickname": "My DHL Parcel UK Account"
  "client_id": "your_client_id_here",
  "client_secret": "your_client_secret_here",
  "unlinked_returns_api_key":"apikey",
  "unlinked_returns_account_number":"accountnumber",
  "unlinked_returns_partner_code":"partnercode",
  "pickup_account_domestic":"pickupaccountinfo",
  "pickup_account_international_air":"pickupaccountinfo",
  "pickup_account_international_road":"pickupaccountinfo",
  "type_of_customs_invoice":"invoicetype",
  "customer_no":"customernumber",
  "book_adhoc_collection_domestic":"true",
  "collection_start_time_domestic":"data",
  "collection_end_time_domestic":"data",
  "book_adhoc_collection_intl_air":"false",
  "book_adhoc_collection_intl_road":"false"
}

A successful connection will return a response with the carrier_id. You'll use that for any requests for this account going forward.

Rates

DHL Parcel UK does not send estimated rates to ShipStation API. Your DHL Parcel UK account contact can provide you with the details about your contracted rates.

Service Details

Available DHL Parcel UK services are provided below. Please note that carriers may update their available services at any time. To ensure you are always using valid services, you can use the list carrier services endpoint at any time.

Domestic Services

International Services

Optimizing Customs Data for International Shipments to Prevent Delays

To ensure smooth customs clearance and minimize the risk of shipment inspections or delays, it is critical to provide high-quality data for every international shipment. Poor data quality, specifically vague descriptions and missing HS codes, often triggers manual reviews by destination authorities.

Key Takeaways for Merchants

Write Accurate Line Item Descriptions

Customs authorities need to know exactly what is being imported, what it is made of, and its intended use. Avoid using internal marketing descriptions or vague terms.

Utilizing Harmonized System (HS) Codes

Providing a correct HS code (or Commodity Code) is the most effective way to help customs officials categorize your goods.

Provide Part and Reference Numbers

When possible, include the specific part or item number in your commercial invoice data. Mapping these to the correct reference fields in your shipping tool (e.g., the "PAN" reference type) provides an extra layer of clarity for clearance agents and helps verify the item against the provided description.

Prohibited Stop Words & Description Comparison

Using vague language is the fastest way to get a shipment flagged for inspection. Below are examples of poor descriptions found in recent audit data versus the clear, detailed descriptions required by customs authorities.

Merchant Checklist: International Shipping Compliance

To ensure your international shipments clear customs without delay, use this checklist to review your data before printing your labels.

Description Logic: The "Physical" Rule

When writing descriptions, ignore your marketing names. Customs authorities don't know what a Polaris IGX 144+ Linkage Kit is. Instead, describe the physical object: Steel mechanical linkage parts for vehicle suspension.

Technical Note: Mapping Compliance Data

When integrating with international carriers, how you map data fields in your API payload directly impacts customs clearance rates. While the UI may show a single "Description" field, the backend mapping should prioritize the following:

Shipping to Northern Ireland

DHL Parcel UK will support all movement types defined by the Windsor Framework. The data required for these shipments will vary depending on the movement_indicator set for the shipment. If no movement indicator is set, the shipment will default to B2C.

Starting 1 May 2025, if the required details are not provided for shipments from Great Britain to Northern Ireland, the label will not be generated.

Return Services

DHL Parcel UK supports the following return services:

Review the Return Shipping Labels page for details on creating return labels with ShipStation API.

Packages

The following carrier package types are available for DHL Parcel UK services:

Adding Shipment Insurance

DHL Parcel UK supports adding carrier insurance to your shipments. Review the Parcel Insurance page for details on adding shipment insurance with ShipStation API.

Geolocation

DHL Parcel UK supports the what3words protocol, which allows you to specify a location by providing the three words that have been assigned to the specific location.

Add the geolocation array in the ship_to object. Set geolocation.type to what3words and geolocation.value to the three-word value of the location.

Label Support

Label Reference Fields

DHL Parcel UK supports adding custom label messages for international services only.

Multi-Package Labels

Multi-package shipping is support for domestic parcel, pallet, and Channel Islands services, as well as Worldwide Air and International Road Economy services.

Label Branding

DHL Parcel UK does not support label branding.

Voiding Labels

DHL Parcel UK supports voiding labels with ShipStation API.

Paperless Labels

DHL Parcel UK supports paperless labels for the Parcel Shop Returns / Unlinked Returns service only.

Customs Declarations

Customs declarations print directly on DHL Parcel UK labels.

Delivery Confirmation

See our Delivery Confirmation page for more details about using the confirmation property.

Advanced Options

DHL Parcel UK does not currently support any advanced options.

To ensure you always have the most up-to-date information about a carrier's advanced options, use the list carrier options call.

Manifests

DHL Parcel UK does not require manifesting your shipments.

Scheduling Pickups

DHL Parcel UK does not support scheduling pickups using ShipStation API.

Service Points (PUDO)

DHL Parcel UK supports shipping to service points with their ServicePoint Delivery services.

Tracking

ShipStation API's integration with DHL Parcel UK supports receiving tracking updates. Review our ​Track a Package guides​​ for details on tracking with the ShipStation API.

Disconnecting Your DHL Parcel UK Account

See the Disconnect section in our Delete a Carrier page for the process of deleting or disconnecting a carrier from ShipStation API.

NOTE:

If you disconnect a carrier account and reconnect it, the account will have a new carrier_id in ShipStation API.