DHL Express Commerce: A simple guide for e-commerce shippers

E-commerce is quickly gaining in popularity. Businesses are able to operate their B2C or B2B selling online. With a wide selection of various platforms, portals, and marketplaces, starting up has never been easier or faster.

As the commerce-scape shifts in this direction, it also lessens barriers for more companies and entrepreneurs to enter the market, intensifying competition across industries.

As an e-commerce seller, maintaining a user-friendly platform works not just for your consumers, but also for your business, allowing you to focus on your operational continuity and efficiency for optimal performance.

At DHL Express, we focus on improving all aspects of your operations. Being an avid supporter of e-commerce businesses, we have created DHL Express Commerce (DEC) and developed an API for sellers to seamlessly integrate DHL Express services on their website, creating a better user experience for both seller and buyer.

DHL EXPRESS COMMERCE (DEC)

DHL Express Commerce or DEC is a platform that integrates DHL Express’s services directly onto your website for the convenience of you and your customers. Traditionally, when you receive an order, you would have to log in to MyDHL+ and manually key in information to create shipping documents. If you ship to multiple consignees this process can be very tedious. DEC helps to eliminate the manual portion of this process while also reducing the likelihood of entry errors. More importantly, DEC can manage the orders from multiple sites (assuming they are on a valid e-Commerce platform), allowing easy compilation for your convenience.

Similar to the functionality of MyDHL+, DEC allows the end-user to view DHL Express rates upon checking out, provide estimated transit times, and easy scheduling of pick-ups once the orders are confirmed. Necessary shipping information and documents will be transmitted directly to DHL Express, allowing us to ship and clear customs more efficiently.

※DEC is available for websites hosted on Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, etc, please visit DHL EXPRESS COMMERCE SUPPORT HUB for the full list and more details.

DHL EXPRESS API

ペン先の卸売りを生業にした祖父から続く、文具商の三代目。筆記具にこだわる下町の店。そう聞けば、誰もが気難しい店主を想像するかもしれない。しかし、職人気質の頑固さや、デジタルの波に抗うような焦燥感は、広瀬氏からは一切感じられない。むしろ真逆の印象だ。柔和な表情と、穏やかな語り口は、「カキモリ」の世界観そのものだ。

「『カキモリ』の店名の由来は、たのしく書く人、「書き人」という意味から来ています。ですから筆記具でも、すごくラグジュアリーなものや、マニアックな品揃えではなく、興味のない人でも気軽に来店して、『久しぶりに、ちょっと書いてみたいな』という気持ちになってもらえるような品揃えを目指しています」。

まるでカフェかブティックを思わせる外観に、天井の高い開放的な店内。商品は、独特な丸みを帯びたインクボトルや、素材にこだわった紙やペン。それぞれが、思わず触れたくなる魅力を持っている。そして、不思議と何か書いてみたくなる衝動に利き手をくすぐられる。

<p>The DHL Express API is able to integrate on most e-Commerce platforms and online selling marketplaces. It is best to contact us prior to the implementation to check for eligibility. While DEC features are focused on mirroring MyDHL+’s capabilities, the API allows for more customizable features that are designed to work in tandem with your operations and requirements.</p>
<p>While most of the core features are similar, you will have the flexibility to add or omit certain aspects that are presented to your end-user. Fully customizable options allow you to optimize your cross-border processes while easily managing all your orders. Add-on features include track and trace, electronic proof of delivery (ePOD), shipping labels and shipping invoices can be generated automatically based on you and your customer’s information plus the details of your products to help with international transport and customs clearance. Similar to DEC, the API allows for customizable collection schedules suited to your time-frames.</p>
<p>The API’s objective is to provide a unique shipping experience for you and your consumers while simplifying all the various logistics-related complications and automating all the manual processes.</p>

The DHL Express API is able to integrate on most e-Commerce platforms and online selling marketplaces. It is best to contact us prior to the implementation to check for eligibility. While DEC features are focused on mirroring MyDHL+’s capabilities, the API allows for more customizable features that are designed to work in tandem with your operations and requirements.

While most of the core features are similar, you will have the flexibility to add or omit certain aspects that are presented to your end-user. Fully customizable options allow you to optimize your cross-border processes while easily managing all your orders. Add-on features include track and trace, electronic proof of delivery (ePOD), shipping labels and shipping invoices can be generated automatically based on you and your customer’s information plus the details of your products to help with international transport and customs clearance. Similar to DEC, the API allows for customizable collection schedules suited to your time-frames.

The API’s objective is to provide a unique shipping experience for you and your consumers while simplifying all the various logistics-related complications and automating all the manual processes.

HOW DOES E-COMMERCE INTEGRATION WORK?

The diagram below will give a better understanding of how a website integrated with DHL Express will work for you and your customer:

CONSUMER JOURNEY

Checkout journey

CHECK OUT：The customer selects what they want to purchase and add it to their cart.

CADDRESS DETAILS：Customers will then have to key in their details, including their delivery information.

SHIPPING METHOD：They will be allowed to select DHL Express as their shipping method.

PAYMENT：Customer completes payment.

ORDER COMPLETION：Orders are completed and submitted for your review.

MERCHANT JOURNEY

Order processing journey:

ORDER CONFIRMATION：After seller reviews the order and make any amendments, data will be submitted to DHL Express.

COLLECTION：Opt for automated dispatch (once data is submitted) or arrange a collection manually.

ORDER SHIPPED：The shipment will be delivered and fully trackable. The recipient will also have the option to select their preferred method of receiving.

PAYMENT：Customer completes payment.

DELIVERY：Upon delivery you will be able to view an electronic proof of delivery (ePOD), confirming the successful delivery!

LIST OF SERVICES

Both DEC and the API offers many different services and not all may be applicable to your business needs. This list is a summary of the available services. The integration process will be supported by a DHL Express IT representative to guide and recommend you accordingly.

Product options
Rates based on account-specific quotations with breakdown for visibility
DDP option
Easy shipment preparation
Automatic data transfer to DHL Express
Pick-up requests (automated or ad-hoc)
Automatic paperwork generation
Return shipment label generation
Paperless trade, if you decide not to print the shipping documents, you can opt for this and the records will be stored digitally in our system
Electronic proof of delivery
Consolidation and summary of shipments

HOW CAN I GET STARTED?

First of all, you will need to be an existing DHL Express customer and have an online e-commerce platform or marketplace.

If you are interested in having this integration, reach out to your account manager and let them know. You will be directed to our IT department and they will take a look at your portal along with your products and services to recommend the optimal integration options to boost the performance of your platform.

While solutions like these tend to be costly or even command a monthly subscription, DHL Express Commerce plug-in is free! Make the most out of selling online by creating a comprehensive and user-friendly experience for yourself and your customers.