what does exception mean dhl refers to a situation where a shipment experiences an issue or delay during transit. When DHL labels a package with “exception,” it usually means there was an unforeseen problem, such as customs clearance issues, address discrepancies, weather delays, or other logistical challenges. The exception status provides a notification that the package’s delivery might be delayed or held up until the issue is resolved. DHL typically updates customers with more details and provides an estimated time for resolution, allowing them to track the progress of the shipment.