As of January 1, 2026, new rules will apply for shipments to Ireland and Northern Ireland. Since DHL eCommerce Benelux transports your shipments by road via the United Kingdom, the shipment will lose its customs status within the EU. To avoid import duties, shipments must be placed under customs supervision with a T2 document and an Entry Summary declaration for Irish customs.
What does this mean for you?
Starting January 1, 2026, you will need to provide additional data when preparing shipments:
- detailed goods description
- 6-digit HS code
- weight of the goods (mandatory field)
- value of the goods (optional, but recommended to reduce inspections)
How to provide the required data?
- My DHL Portal: you can easily enter the required data via our shipping tool.
- Custom solution? Using DHL APIs? Our API will be extended to include these extra data fields. Please contact your CIM consultant at [email protected] for specifications and support.
- Using our plug-ins? Our plug-ins will not support the new data fields. You will need to provide the additional data via My DHL Portal or API. For assistance, contact [email protected].
Why is this important?
Without the additional data, we are not allowed to drive via the United Kingdom. To help you provide the required data, we will offer ferry transport for the first months of 2026. However, please note that this will result in higher transport costs and longer, less predictable transit times.