This article covers how to retrieve your DHL Express API credentials, connect your account to ShipHero, and configure your connection settings.
Before You Begin
You will need three credentials from DHL Express before connecting:
- Account setup: Review Before You Connect a Carrier Account in ShipHero for custom profiles, multi-warehouse accounts, and 3PL client settings.
- DHL Express Account Number — your export account number (not the import number)
- Site ID — obtained from the DHL API Developer Portal
- Site Password — obtained from the DHL API Developer Portal
See Getting Your DHL Express API Credentials below if you haven't retrieved these yet.
New to DHL Express in ShipHero? See Overview: DHL Express in ShipHero for billing, dimensional weight, and regional considerations.
Table of Contents
- Getting Your DHL Express API Credentials
- How to Connect DHL Express to ShipHero
- Required DHL Express Connection Fields
Getting Your DHL Express API Credentials
Your DHL Express Site ID and Site Password are different from your standard DHL Express website login. They must be retrieved from the DHL API Developer Portal.
Finding Your DHL Express Account Number
When signing up with DHL Express, you receive an email with two account numbers — one for exports and one for imports. You must use the Export account number when connecting to ShipHero.
Finding Your DHL Express Site ID and Password
- Register at the DHL API Developer Portal.
- Log in and click the avatar in the top-right corner to open your Dashboard.
- Click Apps in the left menu, then click the app name you want to connect.
- Under credentials, click Show Key for both API Key and API Secret.
- The API Key is your Site ID.
- The API Secret is your Site Password.
How to Connect DHL Express to ShipHero
- Go to the Shipping > Carriers page and click Connect Carrier.
- Select DHL Express from the list of available carriers.
- Enter your account credentials and fill in the required fields. Required fields are marked with an asterisk (*).
- Click Connect.
Required DHL Express Connection Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Profile (Required) | Associate this connection with a Warehouse Profile to control which orders use this account. See How to Use Warehouse Profiles. |
| Warehouse (Required) | Select the physical warehouse this account is being connected to. Carrier connections are managed separately for each warehouse. |
| Account Number (Required) | Your DHL Express export account number used for billing. |
| Customs Contents / General Notes (Required) | Default customs description for international shipments, used when line items lack customs descriptions (e.g., "merchandise"). Maximum 64 characters. |
| Reason for Export (Required) | Default export reason for international customs declarations (e.g., "commercial"). Maximum 64 characters. |
| Site ID (Required) | Your DHL API Key from the Developer Portal, used for authentication. |
| Site Password (Required) | Your DHL API Secret from the Developer Portal, used for authentication. |
| Cut-Off Time (Required) | Sets the shipping date on the label. Labels generated after this time print with the following day's date. Set to align with your DHL pickup time. |
| Shipper Pays Duties | When enabled, the shipper pays duties on international shipments. When disabled, the recipient pays. See How to charge international shipping duties. |
| Disable Quoting (Available after connecting) | Excludes this account from rate shopping and cheapest carrier calculations. |