DHL tracking starts with your airway bill number, which you enter on the DHL website or mobile app to see where your package is right now

Your airway bill (AWB) is the unique identifier DHL assigns to your shipment. It looks like a 10-digit or 11-digit number, often printed on your shipping label or receipt. To track your package, go to dhl.com, select your country, and enter this number in the tracking field. Within seconds, you'll see the current location of your shipment, the last scan time, and the expected delivery date.

DHL also offers tracking through their mobile app, available on iOS and Android. You can save multiple tracking numbers and receive push notifications when your package moves between sorting facilities or reaches your city. If you don't have your airway bill number, you can search by sender name or recipient phone number, though the airway bill method is faster and more reliable.

Key Takeaways

  • Your airway bill number is a 10 or 11-digit code printed on your shipping label that you use to track your package on dhl.com or the DHL app.
  • DHL tracking updates when your package is scanned at sorting facilities, in transit, and at delivery attempt, though international shipments may have gaps of several hours or days between scans.
  • If your tracking shows no movement for more than 48 hours after the last scan, or if it's stuck at one facility, contact DHL customer service with your airway bill number.
  • Delivery timeframes depend on the service level you paid for — Express takes 1 to 3 days, Standard takes 4 to 7 days, and Economy can take 7 to 14 days or longer.

Where to find your airway bill number

Your airway bill number appears in several places. If you shipped the package yourself, it's on the receipt DHL gave you or in a confirmation email from dhl.com. If someone sent you a package, the sender should have provided the number in an email or text message. You can also ask the sender to look at their DHL receipt or confirmation email.

If you have the physical package, the airway bill number is printed on the shipping label, usually in a barcode format near the top or bottom. It may also appear as plain text next to the barcode. Some labels print it multiple times for scanning at different points in the delivery network.

If you've lost the number and can't contact the sender, you can still search by recipient phone number or name on the DHL website, though this method is slower and sometimes returns multiple results if the name is common.

What the tracking status messages mean

DHL uses standard status codes that tell you where your package is in the delivery process. Shipment picked up means DHL has collected the package from the sender. In transit means it's moving between facilities or on a delivery vehicle. Out for delivery means it's on the truck with your local delivery driver and should arrive the same day.

Delivered means the package reached the recipient address and was signed for or left in a safe place. Delivery attempted means the driver tried to deliver but no one was home or the address was unreachable — DHL will try again the next business day unless you contact them to arrange a different time.

Customs clearance appears on international shipments and means your package is held at a border or customs facility while officials inspect it or you pay any required duties. This can take hours or several days depending on the country and what's inside. Exception or Delivery exception means something went wrong — the address was incomplete, the package was damaged, or delivery was refused. The tracking page will usually show more detail about what happened.

International shipments and customs delays

If your package is traveling across borders, expect longer gaps between tracking updates. Domestic scans happen every few hours, but international packages may not scan again for 12 to 48 hours while they move through sorting hubs, customs facilities, or regional distribution centers. This is normal and does not mean your package is lost.

Customs clearance is the most common reason for delays on international shipments. DHL will hold the package at the destination country's customs facility while officials review the contents and any required paperwork. If the package contains restricted items, requires a permit, or has incomplete customs documentation, customs may contact the recipient directly. You may need to pay import duties or taxes before the package can be released.

Check your tracking page regularly during customs clearance — it will tell you what's needed and who to contact. If your package has been in customs for more than 5 business days, contact DHL customer service with your airway bill number and ask for an update.

What to do if your package is stuck or not moving

If your tracking shows no update for more than 48 hours, or if the status has been the same for longer than expected, contact DHL before assuming the package is lost. Go to dhl.com, find the customer service number for your country, and have your airway bill number ready. DHL can check the internal system, which sometimes has more detail than the public tracking page.

Common reasons for no movement include weather delays, mechanical issues with sorting equipment, customs holds, or incorrect address information. If the address is wrong, DHL may try to contact the sender or recipient to correct it before the package is returned. If the package is damaged, DHL will document it and may file a claim with the sender's insurance.

If DHL confirms the package is lost, they will open a claim. The amount you can recover depends on the service level you paid for and DHL's liability limits, which vary by country. Keep your receipt and any photos of the package as shipped — DHL may ask for these when processing a claim.

Delivery attempts and redelivery options

If your tracking shows Delivery attempted, DHL will try again the next business day. However, you don't have to wait. Most DHL tracking pages let you request redelivery by a specific date or time, or ask DHL to hold the package at a nearby DHL service point for you to pick up yourself. These options appear on the tracking page under "Delivery options" or "Reschedule delivery."

If you want to pick up your package instead of having it delivered, find the nearest DHL service point using the location finder on dhl.com. You'll need your airway bill number and a photo ID. Service points are usually open during business hours, Monday through Friday, though some locations have Saturday hours.

If you don't reschedule and DHL cannot deliver after three attempts, the package will be returned to the sender. This process takes another 5 to 10 business days depending on the distance. To avoid this, update your tracking page or call DHL as soon as you see the first delivery attempt.

Tracking through third-party platforms

Some shipping aggregator websites and apps let you enter your airway bill number once and track packages from multiple carriers, including DHL. Popular options include Aftership, Parcels, and Shippo. These platforms pull data from DHL's public tracking system, so the information is the same as what you'd see on dhl.com, just displayed in a different interface.

Third-party trackers are useful if you order from many sellers and want one place to watch all your shipments. However, they cannot reschedule delivery or access DHL's internal notes the way DHL's own website can. For any action beyond viewing status — like requesting redelivery or filing a claim — go directly to dhl.com or call DHL customer service.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does DHL update tracking information?

DHL updates tracking when your package is scanned at a facility or loaded onto a delivery vehicle. For domestic shipments, this usually happens every few hours. For international shipments, updates may come only once or twice per day as the package moves through customs and regional hubs. Real-time tracking between scans is not available.

Can I change the delivery address after I've shipped?

It depends on how far along the package is. If it hasn't left the origin facility yet, DHL may be able to change the address. Once it's in transit or at a sorting facility, changing the address becomes difficult and may not be possible. Contact DHL customer service when ready with your airway bill number and explain what you need — they can tell you whether a change is possible.

What does it mean if my tracking number doesn't show any results?

The number may be incorrect, or the shipment may not have been scanned into DHL's system yet. If you just received the tracking number, wait a few hours and try again. If you've waited more than 24 hours and still see no results, contact the sender to confirm the number is correct. If the number is right, contact DHL customer service — the shipment may be delayed at pickup.

Will I be charged customs duties or taxes on my international package?

It depends on what's inside, where it's coming from, and the import laws of your country. DHL cannot tell you in advance whether duties will explore. If your package goes into customs clearance, the customs facility will calculate any duties owed. You'll be notified and may have to pay before the package is released. Ask the sender whether they paid duties upfront or whether you should expect to pay on delivery.

How long does DHL keep packages at service points for pickup?

DHL typically holds packages for 5 to 7 business days after notifying you they're ready for pickup. After that, the package may be returned to the sender. Check your tracking page for the exact hold period and the service point's hours before you go to pick it up.