What is DHL eCommerce?
- eCommerce cost-effective parcel delivery solution for high-volume business customers
- Caters to polybags and small lightweight products.
- B2C driven. A great alternative to other major carriers
- Preapproval required to activate an account:
- Volume requirements
- eCommerce merchant
- Utilizes final mile carriers:
- DHL eCommerce network picks up from facility, sorts at their own consolidation centers, and utilizes local post for final mile delivery.
- USPS for the domestic final mile delivery.
- Destination country local post for an international final mile (DDU), destination country affiliated carrier partner for an international final mile (usually for DDP).
- You will not see DHLeCommerce visibly on labels, packaging, or trucking. Labels look like USPS labels for domestic shipments.
- DHL eCommerce network picks up from facility, sorts at their own consolidation centers, and utilizes local post for final mile delivery.
DHL eCommerce vs DHL Express
- Both are owned by the same parent company.
- Operate separately as own entities and are somewhat in competition with each other.
- Treat them as two different carriers as they are two different pickups within the facilities.
DHL Express:
- Only services international destinations. No domestic.
- No preapproval is required. Can create shipments ondhl.com.
- Much faster transit times: Typically, 2-3 business days. International service guarantee.
- More expensive.
- DHL Express network from start (pickup) to finish (final mile delivery).
DHL eCommerce:
- Services domestic and international destinations.
- Preapproval is required to activate an account and you cannot ship without an account. Based on high volume and commodity.
- Has tiered services for both domestic and international.
- eCommerce cost-effective solution. Caters to polybags and small lightweight products.
- B2Cdriven.
- Utilizes final mile carriers:
- DHL eCommerce network picks up from facility> sorts at their own consolidation centers> utilizes local post for final mile delivery.
- Utilizes USPS for domestic final mile delivery and destination country local post for the international final mile.
- You will not see DHLeCommerce visibly on labels, packaging, or trucking. Labels look like a USPS label.
Other DHL International Shipping Options
International Standard (PLY)
- Current service option within Whiplash
- DhlEcs International Standard v4
- DDU/DAP (delivery duties unpaid/delivered at place) only
- Postal clearance
- No additional prior approval required
- Services 220+ countries
- Max custom threshold: $1,000 USD
- Slower and cheaper service compared to International Direct
- Delivery lead time to Europe and Canada: 4-8 business days (not guaranteed)
- Delivery lead time to ROW: 8-14 business days (not guaranteed)
DHLeCommerce International Standard Service Guide
International Direct (PLT)
- Current service option within Whiplash
- DhlEcsInternational Direct v4
- DDP (Delivery Duty Paid) for all destinations serviced
- Commercial clearance
- DDU/DAP (delivery duty unpaid/delivered at place) available only for select destination countries
- Services 37 countries
- Max custom value varies by the destination country
- Delivery lead time: Averages 3-10 business days. Specified delivery lead times vary by country (not guaranteed)
- Prior additional approval required*
- Application requires:
- Merchant name, facility, a merchant website, commodity, and a breakdown of monthly projected volume by the destination country
- Application is submitted by the parcel team
- If no application has been submitted for a customer (and they have not been approved), a shipment that goes out in Whiplash via DHL eCommerce International Direct will be switched to International Standard when it arrives at the DHL facility. Will also be put on a hold report which can delay shipment.
- API does not block this service if the customer has not been approved.
- Application requires:
DHLeCommerce International Direct Service Guide
International Tracking
- DHL eCommerce International Direct:
- Example shipment to Canada, DDP: GM2E67C58717BC439AA0CA
- See the final mile delivery tracking number in “Details” on DHL eCommerce tracking page. TForce is the final mile in this case:
- Example shipment to Canada, DDP: GM2E67C58717BC439AA0CA
- DHL eCommerce International Standard:
- Example shipment to UK, DDU: GM631DB976805F428E89CF
- See the final mile delivery tracking number in “details” on DHL eCommerce tracking page. Hermes is the final mile in this case:
- Example shipment to UK, DDU: GM631DB976805F428E89CF
Resources
DHLeCommerce International Services Overview
Related Questions:
What is DHL eCommerce?
What are the differences between DHL eCommerce and DHL Express?
What are some DHL eCommerce international shipping options?