# DHL Tracking: How to Track Your Package

> DHL Express offers global shipping and tracking solutions, emphasizing speed, reliability, and extensive international coverage.

- **URL**: https://trackingadvice.com/carriers/dhl/
- **Carrier website**: https://www.dhl.com/global-en/home.html
- **Region**: europe
- **Last verified**: 2026-08-05

DHL Express is the world's leading international courier and logistics network, delivering to over 220 countries and territories across all continents. Part of Deutsche Post DHL Group, DHL Express was founded in 1969 by Adrian Dalsey, Larry Hillblom, and Robert Lynn and is today headquartered in Bonn, Germany. The service is trusted by logistics managers, e-commerce businesses, and individual shippers worldwide for time-definite international deliveries. For tracking and support, visit https://www.DHL.com or reach the global DHL network through country-specific contact pages.

## Quick facts

| Fact | Detail |
| --- | --- |
| DHL Express operates one | DHL Express operates one of the world's largest international courier networks covering 220+ countries. |
| Tracking updates occur at | Tracking updates occur at every DHL facility scan, typically every 2-4 hours for express services. |
| DHL Express 10-digit waybill | DHL Express 10-digit waybill numbers are the primary tracking format. |
| JD-prefix barcode | JD-prefix barcode numbers (18 chars) are the secondary DHL tracking format on parcel labels. |

## DHL Tracking Number Formats

| Service | Format | Example | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| DHL Express | 10-digit numeric | 1835242905 | Standard DHL Express waybill number. Also referred to as the AWB (Air Waybill) number. |
| DHL Parcel (domestic/ecommerce) | 14-digit numeric | 30933736750716 | Used for DHL Parcel domestic services in Germany and Europe. |
| DHL eCommerce | 10-39 alphanumeric characters | GM628999990US | Variable length; often starts with a 2-letter country code for the destination. Used for lightweight cross-border ecommerce parcels. |
| DHL Global Forwarding | 26-character alphanumeric | CNEAS200927000133746370342 | Used for heavy freight and cargo forwarding shipments. |

## How to Track a DHL Package

1. **Find your DHL tracking number in the confirmation email or on your shipment receipt**: Find your DHL tracking number in the confirmation email or on your shipment receipt.
2. **Open https://www.dhl.com/en/express/tracking.html**: Go to https://www.dhl.com/en/express/tracking.html.
3. **Enter the 10-digit waybill or JD-prefix barcode**: Enter the 10-digit waybill or JD-prefix barcode.
4. **Review the real-time status, shipment events, and estimated delivery date**: Review the real-time status, shipment events, and estimated delivery date.
5. **Sign up for email or SMS notifications via the DHL MyDHL+ portal**: Sign up for email or SMS notifications via the DHL MyDHL+ portal.

## DHL Tracking Statuses Explained

| Status | Meaning | What to do |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Shipment picked up | DHL has physically collected the package from the sender. |  |
| Processed at DHL facility | The package has been processed and sorted at a DHL facility and is ready for the next transit stage. |  |
| Arrived at DHL sort facility | The package has arrived at a DHL sorting centre. |  |
| Departed from a DHL facility | The package has left a DHL facility and is in transit to the next location. |  |
| Shipment is in transit to destination | The package is actively moving through the DHL network toward the destination address. |  |
| Shipment is on hold | The shipment has been temporarily paused, typically due to a customs issue, missing documentation, or operational constraint. | Check the hold reason in the tracking details. Contact DHL if documentation or action is required. |

## DHL Shipping Services Compared

| Option | Best for | Main tradeoff | Typical cost |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| DHL Express Worldwide | Everyday shipping | 1-3 days | Quote-based |
| DHL Express 12:00 | Everyday shipping | 1 day | Quote-based |
| DHL Express 9:00 | Everyday shipping | 1 day | Quote-based |
| DHL Economy Select | Everyday shipping | 2-5 days | Quote-based |
| DHL eCommerce | Everyday shipping | 5-12 days | Quote-based |

## DHL Delivery Times by Service

| Service | Time | Geography | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| DHL Express Worldwide | 1-3 days |  | 1-3 business days (varies by origin/destination) |
| DHL Express 12:00 | 1 day | international | Next business day by noon on key international lanes |
| DHL Express 9:00 | 1 day |  | Next business day by 9:00 AM on select lanes |
| DHL Economy Select | 2-5 days | domestic | 2-5 business days within Europe |
| DHL eCommerce | 5-12 days | international | 5-12 business days for cross-border e-commerce parcels |

## Common DHL Tracking Problems

| Issue | Cause | What to do | When to escalate |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| No status update for up to 48 hours after pickup | DHL's system can take up to 48 hours to register a scan after a package arrives at a facility. | Wait 48 hours before contacting DHL. Confirm with the sender that the package was physically handed to DHL. | If no scan appears 48 hours after confirmed pickup, contact DHL Express customer service. |
| Shipment on hold for customs | Missing or inaccurate commercial invoice, HS codes, prohibited items, or duties/tax payment required. | Check the DHL tracking page for the specific hold reason. Provide any requested documentation immediately. Pay duties if assessed. | If hold persists more than 3 business days without DHL contact, call DHL directly using the number on mydhl.express.dhl. |
| Wrong destination displayed in tracking | Address details on the label contain errors that DHL needs to verify before delivery. | Contact DHL with the correct address details. Address corrections can be made via MyDHL+. | If DHL cannot locate the correct address, the package may be returned to sender. |
| Tracking number not recognised | The waybill number may have been entered incorrectly, or DHL has not yet processed the shipment into the tracking system. | Verify the tracking number with the sender. Try again after 24 hours. | If still unrecognised 24 hours after DHL pickup confirmation, contact the sender and DHL. |

## DHL Tracking FAQs

### How do I track a DHL Express shipment?

Go to dhl.com and enter your 10-digit waybill or JD-prefix tracking number. Real-time status and scan history are displayed.

### What is a DHL 'Clearance Event'?

A clearance event means your shipment is in customs. This is normal for international shipments and usually resolves within 1-2 business days. If additional documentation is needed, DHL will contact you.

### How do I change my DHL delivery address?

Use DHL On Demand Delivery (dhl.com/odd) to redirect your shipment to a different address, DHL Service Point, or request a hold.

### What does 'Shipment on Hold' mean?

It means DHL has paused delivery, typically due to a customs issue, incomplete address, or recipient request. Check your email for DHL instructions.

### How long does DHL Express delivery take?

DHL Express Worldwide is an end of next possible business day service, covering pieces up to 70 kg and palletized shipments up to 3,000 kg. The actual day count depends on your lane, and customs clearance sits outside the commitment.

### How fast is DHL Express?

DHL Express is built around the next possible business day, and the product name sets the cut-off on that day: Express 9:00 delivers before 9:00 a.m. (10:30 a.m. to the USA and Singapore), Express 12:00 before noon with a money-back guarantee, and Express Worldwide by end of day.

### How long does DHL shipping take?

It depends which DHL you are on. DHL Express commits to a delivery date on the next possible business day, while DHL eCommerce runs broader windows because a partner or postal operator handles the final mile - its own FAQ notes tracking events typically appear 24 to 48 hours after the tracking ID is issued.

### Does DHL deliver on weekends?

DHL Express delivers on Saturdays in many markets. Weekend service availability depends on your country. Check DHL's website for local delivery days.

### Why is my DHL tracking not updating?

For international shipments, gaps of 12-24 hours between scans are normal while packages are in transit between countries. If there's been no update for 48 hours, contact DHL.

### Can I pick up a DHL parcel from a DHL location?

Yes. Use DHL On Demand Delivery to redirect to a DHL Service Point or Parcel Station (in Germany and other markets).

### What is DHL MyDHL+?

MyDHL+ is DHL Express's business portal for creating shipments, tracking parcels, managing accounts, and generating customs documents.

### How do I file a DHL claim for a lost shipment?

Contact DHL within 30 days of the expected delivery date. Claims are filed through your local DHL customer service or via the DHL business portal.

## Get Help from DHL

- **Help**: https://www.dhl.com/global-en/home.html
- **Guide**: [DHL customer service numbers by division](https://trackingadvice.com/dhl-customer-service/)

## About DHL

DHL was founded in 1969 and acquired by Deutsche Post in 2002. Today DHL Express is the express division of Deutsche Post DHL Group, which employs over 600,000 people worldwide. DHL Express operates one of the largest cargo airline fleets, with its own aircraft operating through multiple subsidiary airlines including DHL Air UK, DHL Aero Expreso, and partners. DHL's global superhub in Leipzig, Germany, processes up to 300,000 parcels per hour. The company handles over 1.8 billion shipments per year across all divisions.

## More DHL Tracking Guides

- [DHL Tracking Not Updating](https://trackingadvice.com/dhl-tracking-not-updating/)
- [DHL Shipment On Hold: What It Means](https://trackingadvice.com/dhl-shipment-on-hold/)

## Sources

- [DHL official website](https://www.dhl.com/), DHL
- [DHL Express tracking](https://www.dhl.com/en/express/tracking.html), DHL
- [MyDHL+ tracking portal](https://mydhl.express.dhl/), DHL
- [DHL time definite international shipping](https://www.dhl.com/discover/en-global/ship-with-dhl/services/time-definite-international-shipping), DHL