I paid approximately $292 to ship my personal belongings from Italy to the U.S. Before accepting my…read moreshipment, an employee at this DHL location specifically told me that I could ship alcohol as an individual as long as I stayed under the quantity limit she provided. I relied on that information. The alcohol was not hidden -- my DHL paperwork listed "wine" as part of the contents. She even personally assured me that alcohol can get through US Customs. A lie.
The shipment later failed customs and was returned to Italy because I could not ship the alcohol as an individual as I had been told. Had DHL given me the correct information when I disclosed exactly what I was shipping, I never would have paid for or sent the shipment.
It got worse from there. I was given a new Waybill number, which DHL did not attach an importers invoice. My package got stuck at Customs for THREE MONTHS. Then, I had to pay approximately $175 in additional customs/duties to prevent the package from being abandoned and get it released. Despite paying this through DHL, my return address for the original package (a hotel) was later told additional customs charges were due. I asked for clarification to why the hotel was asked to pay customs fee AFTER I had already paid customs fee, but they refuse to answer.
When a shipper finally recovered my package, items were damaged and/or missing, including collectible merchandise. I have receipts, photographs, shipping documents, and an itemized invoice documenting my losses.
I have contacted DHL Italy and DHL USA repeatedly, opened cases, and even escalated the issue through DHL Italy's administrative/executive channel. I continue to have emails ignored and have not received the reimbursement I have requested. Also, I was told I would not get the customs fees reimbursed because its customs fees. I was forced to pay customs fee because when I spoke to an employee, I was told DHL would pay it, but it came down hours before abandonment of goods or pay the fee.
I understand customs issues can happen. What I don't accept is being given incorrect shipping information by DHL, having DHL accept my package and payment based on that information, paying additional charges when the shipment fails, receiving damaged/missing property, and then struggling for months to get meaningful responses or reimbursement.
DHL has made this process of shipping/ returning my package impossible. I would never trust this location specifically because employees are not trained on what you can/cannot ship, and they even will make promises on things they cannot guarantee.
Also, just as a general note... do NOT use DHL. They will not advocate for you as their customer, they care more about their money than reputation. They will not respond to email or responds weeks after. And they will not handle your package gently. WORST COMPANY EVER!!!