Whatever your business is selling, there’s one thing you should absolutely prioritize: express delivery. It’s the bit your customers really care about and could be the difference between them shopping with your business again or not. So, wherever your customers are in the world, here’s how to optimize the delivery experience.
Shipping internationally is a great way for SMEs to grow their business – there’s a big world of new customers out there! But it’s crucial to get the delivery right. 48% of e-commerce customers are deterred from buying from cross-border brands due to longer delivery times, so offering an express shipping option at checkout could reduce your cart abandonment rate and improve sales.
By partnering with logistics leader DHL Express, you can guarantee your customers fast international shipping. Every day our Certified International Specialists help SMEs in over 220 countries and territories across the world reach cross-border customers seamlessly and hassle-free.
Getting started with global shipping
Choose your DHL import or export service
DHL Express' core service is Time Definite International, which offers you secure door-to-door delivery of goods and documents to and from virtually every country and territory. At its core, time-definite delivery means that your imports and exports reach their destination within a specified time frame.
DHL Express Worldwide
Our most popular product, DHL Express Worldwide, offers an end of next possible business day delivery service around the world for pieces up to 70kg and shipments on pallets up to 3,000kg. We deliver reliably and quickly to more global destinations across a single integrated network than any other express delivery company.
DHL Express 9:00 (10:30 to the USA and Singapore)
Our premium time-definite service offers a delivery before 9:00 (10:30 to the USA and Singapore) on lanes that guarantee either a next or second business day delivery. DHL Express 9:00 is offered to the majority of business centers in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Check with your Sales Representative or DHL.com for local capabilities.
DHL Express 12:00
With DHL Express 12:00, the customer will receive their shipment before 12 noon on the next possible business day. DHL Express 12:00 offers a money-back guarantee and allows for pieces up to 70kg and shipments up to 300kg. Check with your Sales Representative or DHL.com for local capabilities.
DHL Economy Select
This is the ideal choice for less urgent shipments, with door-to-door delivery throughout Europe within a defined number of business days.
Prepare your international shipping documentation
When shipping cross border, you may be required to provide certain documents to clear your goods through customs. Ensuring complete and accurate data on these documents is crucial for a smooth customs clearance process.
There are several documents you’ll need when exporting, but the key two to familiarise yourself with are:
Commercial Invoice
A Commercial Invoice provides detailed information about goods being shipped across international borders. It contains comprehensive information about the international trade transaction, including the shipper’s and receiver’s details, a Goods Description and the HS Code(s).
The Commercial Invoice information is used by the customs broker to prepare the Customs Declaration for authorities, who can then determine if the goods can move in and out of the country. The information also enables the customs authorities to calculate the taxes and duties due.
Businesses shipping cross border with DHL Express are required to provide Commercial Invoice information electronically. Remember that complete and accurate data is the key to a fast customs clearance experience – and on-time delivery to your customers.
Waybill
A Waybill (or “Air Waybill”) is a document issued by a carrier. Think of it as your shipment’s passport, telling customs authorities everything they need to know to process and track it; without it, the shipment risks being delayed, lost, or held up at customs.
You will need to provide several pieces of information on a Waybill, including the shipper’s and recipient’s details, description and value of the goods, and terms and conditions of the transportation contract.
The benefits of shipping cross border with DHL Express
Fast international shipping: worldwide, door-to-door express shipping with leading delivery times.
Global knowledge: with a presence in over 220 countries and territories, DHL Express has the global presence and local market insights to help your business expand into new countries.
Customs expertise: DHL’s Certified International Specialists will ensure you have a smooth customs clearance process, avoiding delays and penalties.
Preferential business rates: DHL Express offers a transparent, all-in-one pricing structure which removes the uncertainty of additional costs like export documentation, airport handling and delivery. Added to this, DHL’s Dynamic Discounting pricing program takes your monthly volumes into account and rewards you with increasing discounts as your shipping volume grows – 'Ship more, save more.'
Flexibility: it’s what your customers truly value. With DHL Express’ On Demand Delivery service, your customers can choose exactly when and where their orders are delivered, with full tracking too. No more failed delivery attempts!
Expanding your business internationally is a great opportunity – but only if your shipping is fast and reliable. A single bad delivery experience – whether it’s a delay, lost parcel, or slow delivery – can turn a customer away for good. Eliminate the uncertainty and stress by partnering with the global logistics experts DHL Express, and open your business to the world.
