A DHL courier walks alongside some boxes on a plinth

Parcel Connect

The all-in-one solution for European parcel delivery and returns - How Parcel Connect works

Take the global power of DHL. Add the local expertise of carefully chosen European delivery partners. Then bring them together in one international delivery service that's so easy to manage, you can even do it from your phone.

Six steps to Europe-wide shipping

Key features of Parcel Connect

The Parcel Connect service offering

We call this unique network the Parcel Union, and it combines the best of DHL's network with the detailed last-mile knowledge of local delivery providers. Whether you're a regular shipper or an ad-hoc user, you can take advantage of cheap international delivery across Europe without the hassle of dealing with different carriers, restrictions and markets.

See how our network delivers more

Six steps to shipping Europe-wide with Parcel Connect

Parcel Connect is the perfect fit if you focus on private consumers. In just 6 simple steps you can be sending out all your European orders. What's more, your customers can return parcels at over 140,000+ locations across Europe with Parcel Return Connect. Need to ship to businesses? No problem, you can simply use our B2B offering, Parcel Connect Plus.

Step 1. What do you need?

Firstly, a DHL eCommerce expert will capture your individual requirements, including the number of parcels, the country or countries you'll be delivering to, the average weight and size of your parcels, where you'd like to send/return from and any specific considerations you may have.

Step 2: Creating and choosing your Parcel Connect service offering

Our DHL eCommerce experts will match your business delivery and/or returns needs to the Parcel Connect, Parcel Connect Plus or Parcel Return Connect services you need to find the perfect fit for your business.

Step 3: Set up your web portal or API integration

To get up and running, you just need one IT integration - we call it eConnect. It is accessible from many e-commerce and marketplace platforms as well as directly via our web portal or API. Our tech experts will help you with the best operational setup.

Step 4: Preparing for launch

Before going live, we'll carry out a series of tests – just to make sure everything is working as it should.

Step 5: Going live

Once we're confident that everything's set up okay, you’re ready to go. Europe is open for business!

Step 6: Ongoing support

For the first few weeks, we'll monitor your deliveries and/or returns. After that, you'll receive regular reports and be able to follow them in real-time with our track and trace tools.

Key features of Parcel Connect

Take a look at some of the key features that make Parcel Connect the right choice for your European parcel deliveries and returns.

A DHL van from above, driving through a parking lot

One network

Parcel Connect is powered by DHL's extensive global network, which opens the door for you to access key transportation hubs, gateways, and service centers throughout Europe. Our exclusive Parcel Union network ensures your orders are delivered by DHL eCommerce or the leading local carrier in all 28 European countries.

A person placing a delivery label onto a DHL parcel

One label

With a single label, you can send parcels to any of the 28 European countries in our network. Designed for automatic sorting, faster transit times and lower production costs. Thanks to the power of our Parcel Connect network, we make customs delays a thing of the past. It's parcel perfection.

A DHL representative talking and smiling with a customer

One point of contact

This isn't just another delivery service – it's a partnership. Our Account Management team joins forces with you to create the perfect fit for your needs, whether that’s an out-of-the-box solution or a completely bespoke setup. Need faster deliveries for last-minute orders? No problem. Struggling with high return volumes? We've got your transport and logistics covered.

LOADS of options

You can use our network from the first to the last mile. Book collections at regular times or ad-hoc, as you need them. Arrange for a direct injection of parcels into the network. Collect and collate returns from a warehouse closer to your customer. With Parcel Connect, you you can create and chose the perfect fit for your business.

Until now, if you’ve been shipping to different cross-border markets, you’ll have probably dealt with multiple carriers, each requiring its own paperwork. Parcel Connect simplifies and streamlines this time-consuming, complicated process.

Now you’ll only need one label and one set of paperwork for shipping to any of the 28 European markets in our network. And you can easily manage parcel delivery via eConnect.

Because one size doesn't always fit all, we offer flexible shipment sizes. You can send packages up to 31.5kg and 120cm x 60cm x 60cm as standard. And if that's not big enough, there's a bulky feature. Still not big enough? No worries, larger items can be shipped with Parcel Connect Plus.

Parcel Connect is built on the global footprint of DHL, with major transport hubs, gateways and service centers across Europe. Our network is made up of the best of the best. Your orders will be delivered by DHL eCommerce or the top local carrier in all 28 European countries. We call it the Parcel Union and it is unique to DHL eCommerce. We only work with the best-in-class national delivery providers to give you 95%+ delivery reliability.

Keep your customers informed every step of the way! With Parcel Connect, we send timely texts and emails to your customers, providing real-time updates on their parcel’s journey. From dispatch to delivery, they’ll know exactly where their package is. No more guessing games, just peace of mind.

We believe in flexibility. When it comes to delivery and returns, your customers have options. Whether they prefer a doorstep delivery, a nearby parcel locker, a convenient ServicePoint, or even an alternative address, it’s all up to them. Need it on a different day? No problem. Want to avoid a difficult neighbor? Sure thing. With Parcel Connect, the choice is theirs.

Offer your customers a cheaper and greener parcel delivery option at the checkout with direct addressing to their nearest ServicePoint or parcel locker. You can find DHL pickup points and see the full scale of our access point network here.

Inject parcels directly into our network at the origin or destination country, or even at a point along the supply chain, reducing transit times and associated costs.

Connecting you to Europe and back with our Parcel Return Connect service. With Parcel Connect, our tailored reverse logistics process ensures consistency across all your returns centers. We can even hold and collate your returns, or take them to an alternative warehouse if that works better for you.

To get up and running with Parcel Connect or Parcel Return Connect you just need one IT integration. There are five ways to access eConnect, and you can combine any of them to create the best solution for you.

Any questions? We’re here to help. Reach out in your own language or your customer’s - we’re fluent in both! With up to six days a week support depending on location, you’ll never feel stranded. Whenever you need assistance, our web-based contact options are just a click away.

As global trade lanes expand, operational challenges can crop up - especially for larger customers. See how Parcel Connect Plus works when you need more than a just standard service.

Delivery flexibility is becoming increasingly important to online shoppers and often influences how they choose a retailer in the first place. Every positive delivery or returns experience helps increase their loyalty and repeat sales for you. Parcel connect allows your customers to choose when and how their parcels are delivered*:

Choice of delivery day

Time window notification

Delivery to their door

Delivery to Europe’s largest network of over 140,000+ DHL ServicePoints or lockers

Delivery to preferred neighbor

Delivery to safe place

Re-routing to alternative delivery channel or alternative address

^{*Availability varies between countries.}