DHL Holding my parcel since August 3rd 2026

fussyeater

Good afternoon.

This is my first post so I hope I am doing this in the correct section.

DHL Express is refusing to return my undelivered parcel. I paid for a 3 day delivery that hasn't even left the country. Despite getting help from Citizens Advice, Trading Standards and HMRC they still refuse to return it. HMRC were willing to view the details if I was able to send them a copy of a Notice of Seizure being held by DHL Express Northampton. Regardless of phone calls and emails to DHL requesting a copy of this Notice of Seizure, they are just ignoring me completely.

Can anyone give me advice or guidance on what I can do to get my shipment returned please?

Woodstok2000

Have you submitted a complaint in writing to DHL? Have they responded?

Whats in the parcel, and appproximate value?

How did you pay for the delivery?

molerat

Why has the parcel been seized ?

fussyeater

I have submitted a complaint in writing to DHL Express. I have been corresponding with them without any success.

The parcel contained women's clothing, toiletries and some vape. These were listed and accepted upon collection of shipment on 03/08/2026. The shipment never left the UK. Delivery was paid through PayPal.

The approximate value was £650.

I have no idea why the shipment has been seized. I contacted HMRC for assistance. They may be able to help once they have site of the Notice of Seizure or copy.

DHL have so far refused to send me a copy.

Alderbank

DHL Express prohibited items list includes:

Aerosols, perfumes and aftershaves including eau de parfum and eau de toilette

Cosmetics including but not limited to makeup, hair dye and face creams

Nail polish

https://uk.express.dhl.com/what-you-can-and-cant-send/

DHL restricts electronic cigarettes and accessories (including vape devices, e-liquids, and lithium-ion batteries). They require a pre-arranged DHL Express business account with written authorization.

Your women's clothing should be OK.

fussyeater

Thanks Alderbank. I had to fill out a form noting everything inside the shipment. That included ladies toiletries, vape juice but no aerosols. These were checked by DHL and I wasn't told of any discrepancies. Had they queried any items I could have removed them from the shipment.

HMRC told me to get a copy of the Notice of Seizure and they could identify any items that were causing a problem. Unfortunately DHL have so far refused to send me a copy of the Notice of Seizure.

molerat

The problem is that the collection driver is not qualified to decide if the parcel is compliant, that is your responsibility and you have certified it does comply when you agreed to their terms. Parcels are inspected at some stage in the process and if they do not comply they will be removed from the stream and it is then your responsibility to arrange collection from the depot where held, DHL will not return the parcel as it does not comply with their conditions of transit. What have they actually stated as to the status of the parcel ? Have they actually stated the parcel has been "seized" as that would imply some form of customs breach or is the parcel just "held" ?

fussyeater

DHL have stated that it has been seized by Border Force. I managed to speak to Border Force by phone and they told me they did not have any seized parcels at their end. After contacting HMRC I asked for their assistance. They are quite prepared to look at my case as long as I could get hold of a copy of the Notice of Seizure. DHL are not replying to emails about this, so I am left high and dry!

Thanks for your information.