I've Got A DHL Account - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 16, 2016, 09:05:35 am
content: As the title says, I just got a DHL corporate account with very nice international rates for heavy stuff.Any test gear or other interesting sellers on ebay who let you use your own courier account?It's usually almost impossible to get big/heavy gear from Ebay US sellers in Australia because of postage costs.

author: Pinkus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2016, 11:46:52 am
content: Well, just tell them that you will organize a pick up by DHL, so do do not have to take care about this. Though they still just have to pack and do the customs paper work which can be a nightmare for US sellers, especially for test equipment (because all of this does have export control and selling is forbidden to lots of countries).

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 16, 2016, 12:03:32 pm
content: From what I experienced, you can fill the customs form yourself on the DHL website when you create the shipment. So I would think that there is very little extra trouble for the seller if he just packs the item properly and is willing to attach the shipping papers that you send via email.Correct declaration is the responsibility of of Dave I believe, since all the seller does now is to hand the item to the DHL person?Also, I think there is no problem with the seller protection either, DHL express is a good as any courier in terms of proving items have been sent and received.I use a forwarder from the US though and even though my main courier service is DHL, the seller ships to an US address so no issues with export regulations for him.I've done what Dave intends to do with shipments out of Germany though - just emailed a PDF and have the seller wait for pickup.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 16, 2016, 12:20:21 pm
content: Quote from: Neganur on December 16, 2016, 12:03:32 pmYes, that appears to be how it works. I can generate the paperwork online and a PDF of the DHL shipping barcode and airway bill etc.QuoteYes, they would enter the tracking number into ebay at their end.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2016, 03:10:10 pm
content: Shouldn't be a problem for most sellers, but a couple of issues are they need to weigh and measure it so you can do the paperwork, and they need to be there for collection.As long as the DHL system allows you to do all the paperwork and just send it to them to print out it should be relatively easy. Probably best to try with someone you know first to make sure the process works before some random grumpy ebayer.

author: adranp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2016, 04:58:34 pm
content: As I'm using a DHL corporate account as well, I can tell you this:- Ask the seller to call his local DHL Office and request package pickup using your DHL account number ( This way they won't have any doubts regarding the courier you're sending).- Be sure you specify if you need/want insurance - It has happened to me to pay for insurance even if I haven't asked for it.- Ask the seller or find out if the test gear contains lithium batteries of any kind (even coin sized batteries) - I've had lots of trouble with stuck packages before departureMy regards.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2016, 05:02:53 pm
content: Quote from: adranp on December 16, 2016, 04:58:34 pmPresumably the accountholder has to have previously booked the order in.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 16, 2016, 09:37:54 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on December 16, 2016, 05:02:53 pmNope, unless there is a way to set that up.If you order from mouser/wherever you enter the DHL account number, and they charge to that. There is no verification, other than presumably the ship to or from address matches the one on the account.So its not a number you'd want to post publicly. But not sure what happens if someone tried to abuse it.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 16, 2016, 09:59:22 pm
content: Quote from: thm_w on December 16, 2016, 09:37:54 pmYes, I used to do this all the time when I had a corporate account number. Digiky, mouser, PCB manufacturers etc. But they had to know the process and had used it before and maybe have an account so they can d the paperworkI've had some companies ask me to return gear using their courier account number and I've called to to arrange it and they have refused because I didn't have my own account set up.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 17, 2016, 01:22:56 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on December 16, 2016, 09:37:54 pmThat someone can ship a huge box full of poop to your address at your expense.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 17, 2016, 01:27:33 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on December 16, 2016, 09:59:22 pmI called and arranged DHL pick-up from my apartment using Keysight and Intel account numbers without an issue. EDIT: I recall also repeatedly using DHL account of some not well known company from Mexico (they bought some stuff from me).

author: adranp
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2016, 08:32:07 am
content: You don't need an account number with DHL to send packages using the receiver corporate account.Also there is no obligation to use the DHL AWB online generator. You can ask the courier to provide you with a AWB and that can be completed by hand. There is a field for the corporate account on AWB.

author: TAMHAN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2016, 06:19:19 pm
content: Hello,sorry to ask so bluntly: would you be willing to handle shipment of a large piece of gear (think VNA) from the USA to Austria for me?Tam

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 23, 2016, 07:06:07 pm
content: Quote from: TAMHAN on December 23, 2016, 06:19:19 pmHave a chat to your local shipping and Customs agents, they might know of somebody bringing in loose items in containers were there'd likely be room for another box slipped in a corner.Sure, it might take a few months to get it but it shouldn't get knocked around and broken.My mate that does this sort of shipping got me a 150lb box from the US for $0.

author: TAMHAN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2016, 02:07:27 am
content: Hello,my issue is I cannot wait so long. I have a contact, but she would need two months or soBut my customer is pressing me. especially as he is not only a customer, but also a long long long long term friend who saw me through darkest time. ;(

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2016, 07:16:48 am
content: Then suck up and pay the $200 for courier then. You can go cheaper and have it boxed up in a sturdy wooden box and then sent as sea freight, or if you have somebody who can do all the packing and make it fit on a mini pallet with enough protection, and fill in the customs declarations, you can have them drop it off at an airport cargo handling facility, correctly addressed to your local airport cargo area, and pay the airfreight. Then your problem will be the usual customs declarations, pay the fee and stagger off with it to your vehicle. Cheapest method, so long as it can travel by air, though you may need to mark it as "pressurised cargo only" so the capacitors inside do not all arrive popped.Did that a few times for work, as we have customers in other countries, and they were willing to pay the air freight rather than wait the month or so for it to go there the long way by truck, going through at least 5 other countries.

author: Tony_G
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2016, 02:52:16 am
content: Hey Dave,In another thread I mentioned a Fluke 5440B/AF that I had - If You'd like to do a tear down of it then I'd be happy to split your cost.My only ask is if you could ship it onto my father when your done. I'll split the cost to get it to you and then pay the full cost to get it to my Dad.If you'd like to use it for a while I'm sure we can do a deal on it.Please let me know tony_goodhew@hotmail.comThanks,TonyG

author: TAMHAN
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2016, 08:46:26 am
content: Quote from: SeanB on December 24, 2016, 07:16:48 amIf only a courier would take it. The unit is 70pds, which means we get bills of 500 USD or more...

author: SeanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 25, 2016, 06:26:32 pm
content: How much is a return ticket, and how much luggage allowance do you get. Is your passport in order. 70lbs is doable as packed luggage on some airlines, and out of season flights can be pretty cheap on some airlines, especially if you travel on the least desirable flights.