DHL eCommerce, DHL eCommerce International, and DHL Express

Pinar Tuncel
Pinar Tuncel
  • Updated

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 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.

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:

 

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  • 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:

 

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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?