International delivery to Ukraine for business: how to choose between DHL and FedEx for your task

International delivery to Ukraine: where to start the choice

Before comparing carriers, define the task. Answer a few questions:

• what exactly you are receiving: a batch of goods, samples, repair cargo or documents;
• from which country and from which supplier the shipment comes;
• how much the cargo weighs and what its dimensions are;
• by what date it is needed;
• who arranges the shipment — the supplier or your company.

These answers matter more than any general rankings. DHL and FedEx terms differ depending on the route, the type of goods and the shipment itself, so a correct comparison is possible only for a specific cargo.

Criteria for choosing between DHL and FedEx

Country of dispatch and supplier. Start with where the sender is located and which carrier they find convenient to work with. Often the supplier already has an account with DHL or FedEx and ships cargo that way — this is worth taking into account in the calculation.

Type of cargo. A commercial batch, free samples and repair cargo are processed differently. Certain categories of goods are subject to carrier restrictions or additional requirements — it is better to check them before dispatch, not after the cargo arrives at customs.

Weight and dimensions. SEMERO works with B2B shipments weighing from 0.1 to 70 kg. Weight and volume affect the cost of delivery and how the cargo will be processed.

Urgency. If the cargo is needed by a specific date, plan with the time for customs clearance in mind, not only transportation.

Documents. The invoice, contract and accurate description of the goods determine how quickly the cargo clears customs. Inaccuracies in documents are one of the most common causes of delays regardless of the carrier.

Samples and repair cargo: separate nuances

Samples cross the border as goods, even if they are not sold, so they also need documents stating their value for customs purposes. More details — in the article on delivering product samples and on the samples delivery service page.

For repair cargo there is a special customs regime that can help avoid paying duty twice. But it works only with correctly prepared documents and a contract, so it is worth getting a customs broker's consultation before dispatch.

Customs clearance: together with delivery or separately

DHL and FedEx customs clearance can be ordered separately from delivery. SEMERO provides services the way your company needs:

• only customs clearance of DHL or FedEx cargo — if the supplier has already arranged the delivery;
• only booking of DHL or FedEx delivery;
• as a package — delivery together with customs clearance.

SEMERO carries out customs clearance of DHL and FedEx cargo through the Kyiv hub. Free storage at the SEMERO customs warehouse — 3 days. We work under our own customs broker licence UACBR125000640. What the process looks like step by step is described in the article on FedEx and DHL customs clearance, and how a broker differs from an ordinary agent — in the article "Customs broker for DHL and FedEx for business".

Why you should not ship cargo without a consultation

Shipping cargo of any weight, even from 0.1 kg, without a broker's consultation significantly increases the risk of delay and additional costs. An error in the description of goods, a mismatch in the invoice or a missing document comes to light at customs, when it is harder to fix. A short consultation before dispatch helps prepare documents and choose a carrier for your task.

How SEMERO helps with international delivery to Ukraine

SEMERO offices operate in Kyiv, Mukachevo and Uzhhorod. In other cities, pickup and delivery of cargo are carried out by the carrier's representative offices. If you plan supplies from a specific region, see our guides: delivery from China for business, delivery from the USA for business and delivery from Poland and the EU.

To calculate the cost of delivery, customs clearance or a package, contact us via the contacts page — by email, via WhatsApp or by phone. We will help you choose between DHL and FedEx for your cargo.

Frequently asked questions