Are you wondering how DHL Express as a delivery company works, what are its advantages and why would you want to use it? In this article, we take a look at the different shipping options on offer, as well as sharing all the answers to these frequently asked questions – and more!
What is DHL Express?
DHL Express is a premium shipping option from DHL that you can use for domestic or international shipments.
With a network of 220 countries, DHL is the global market leader in express delivery. An express delivery ensures your package is delivered within an exact time frame.
Many online shoppers choose this delivery option because it allows them to know exactly when to expect their package. This also reduces the number of failed delivery attempts.
Why should you use this carrier, what are the terms and conditions, and how does this shipping option work via Sendcloud? We’re happy to explain it to you so you can take advantage of it.
DHL Express vs. DHL Parcel
DHL Express and DHL Parcel are separate companies owned by the same parent company. The carrier offers a variety of international express services with versatile and reliable delivery options. The table below shows the differences between the companies.
| DHL Express | DHL Parcel |
| Domestic deliveries made the next morning | Domestic deliveries made the next day |
| Global service | European service |
| Fastest delivery worldwide | Delivery time depends on destination |
| 30-70 kg | maximum 20 kg |
| No pallet shipments | Pallet shipment possible at an additional rate |
When does DHL Express deliver?
When does DHL Express deliver?The carrier has three delivery time options:
- Before 9 am on the next business day (DHL Express Domestic)
- Between 9 am and noon on the next business day within the country (DHL Express 12:00 Domestic)
- By the end of the first possible business day (DHL Express Worldwide)
The delivery time depends on the shipping option you choose. DHL Express is a premium shipping option and also delivers on Saturdays.
Benefits of using DHL Express via Sendcloud
We can’t say it often enough: the best checkouts contain multiple delivery options. That’s why you can combine multiple shipping options and carriers with Sendcloud to make the best match for your online store. This allows you to satisfy demanding consumers, domestically and internationally. Express deliveries are an addition to your checkout and an extra service for your customer. It also increases the chance of a delivered parcel, on the very first delivery attempt.
On an international level, you can also give consumers a choice in your checkout and guarantee fast delivery. Here are the benefits for you:
- Fastest possible express delivery worldwide
- Delivery on the next working day before 9 am and between 9 am & midday for domestic shipments
- Delivery before the end of the first possible business day for worldwide shipments
- Premium shipping option
- SMS tracking
- Free pick-up
- Fully automated sending via Sendcloud
- Affordable additional insurance via Sendcloud Insurance
- Extra service for your customers with On Demand Delivery
DHL Express is the fastest global shipping option on the market. The delivery time depends on the destination: how long your package is actually on the road.
See how quickly your package will be delivered to a chosen destination here.
DHL On Demand Delivery for all your Express shipments
On Demand Delivery gives your customer the opportunity to choose flexible delivery options once you have shipped the parcel.
After the shipment is handed over to DHL Express, your customer will be notified by SMS and/or email with a link to the On Demand Delivery system.
Here the customer can choose whether they want to use a service point delivery, a different delivery date and more. This way, you offer even more service to your customer without it costing you extra work.
Highlight: DHL Express Domestic before 9 am
We’re all short of time and would love to receive our parcel as soon as we’ve clicked the order button. That makes DHL Express Domestic before 9 am an interesting solution.
DHL guarantees that the parcel will always be delivered before 9 am the next business day. This shipping option is available for domestic shipments and offers several additional benefits:
- Useful for products that need to be delivered super-fast, such as perishable products
- Time-specific delivery
- Pick-up at the end of the afternoon combined with early delivery
- Real-time tracking
- Additional measures for priority shipments
Terms and Conditions: Domestic & Worldwide
It’s always important to consider the terms and conditions of the carrier you are shipping with. If you don’t do this, you run the risk of surcharges. We will list the most important conditions per shipping option for you:
DHL Express Domestic before 9 am
This shipping option applies to all domestic deliveries before 9 am on the next working day. The following terms and conditions apply:
- Maximum weight per piece: 30 kg
- Maximum dimensions per piece: 120 x 80 x 80 (L x W x H)
- Maximum volume weight: 200 kg per m3 (L x W x H/5000)
- Maximum weight of total shipment: 300 kg (no pallets)
- Cost per shipment depends on weight class
If your package is longer than 120 cm or heavier than 30 kg or the volume weight of 200 kg, DHL charges surcharges.
Unexpected surprises are never fun, so don’t take the risk. Feel free to contact our sales department if you have any doubts about a shipment.
DHL Express Domestic before noon
This shipping option applies to all domestic deliveries between 9 am and noon on the next working day.
The advantage of this option is that it is cheaper than delivery before 9 am, and a higher weight per piece is also possible. The terms and conditions are as follows:
- Maximum weight per piece: 70 kg
- Maximum dimensions per piece: 120 x 80 x 80 (L x W x H)
- Maximum volume weight: 200 kg per m3 (L x W x H/5000)
- Maximum weight of total shipment: 300 kg (no pallets)
- Cost per shipment depends on weight class
You also must take these conditions into account to avoid surcharges with DHL Express Domestic before noon.
Worldwide Terms and Conditions
DHL Express Worldwide has a number of additional benefits. For example, the total weight of the shipment can be significantly higher.
With this shipping option you can count on delivery before the end of the first possible business day. The conditions are as follows:
- Maximum dimensions per piece: 120 x 80 x 80 (L x W x H)
- Maximum weight per piece: 70 kg
- Maximum volume weight: 200 kg per m3 (L x W x H/5000)
- Maximum weight of total shipment: 1000 kg (no pallets)
As with DHL Express Domestic (before 9 am and before noon), you must also consider DHL Express Worldwide’s conditions to avoid surcharges.
Interested in finding out about another one of DHL’s international shipping solutions? Check out our article on DHL GLOBALMAIL, DHL Express’s solution offered in partnership with Deutsche Post.
What is the volume weight?
The volume weight (or, as DHL calls it, ‘volumetric weight’) indicates the density of the parcel. This weight is calculated and compared with the actual weight of the parcel to determine which is greater.
This prevents overloading with the aim of making the shipping process as efficient as possible. Always compare the volume weight to the actual weight of your shipment.
The heaviest of the two counts as the billing weight.
DHL Paperless Trade
Each year, 8.8 million hectares of forest are cut down for the production of paper. Unfortunately, sending international shipments requires a lot of paperwork. It also takes a lot of time to fill in the correct customs forms and add them to international shipments. That’s why DHL Paperless Trade was developed.
Via DHL Express Paperless Trade, customs forms are forwarded digitally to DHL. This saves a lot of hassle, time and effort.
The process is fully automated via Sendcloud. Once you’ve entered the customs information into the software and created a label, the documents are automatically sent digitally to DHL.
How does DHL Express work with Sendcloud?
Already have an account with Sendcloud? Then you can immediately get started with this shipping option.
Are you using your own contract? Then you can activate DHL Express in your shipping area with a single click and your own (price) agreements will apply. In ‘My contracts’ you can activate your current credentials and get straight to work.
Don’t have a contract with DHL? Then you can use the Sendcloud discounted rates to get started with DHL Express. You’ll benefit from a free pick-up service in which DHL picks up your parcel at an agreed time.
You choose the time frame in which DHL can come by for a pick-up. Always keep a range of at least 2 hours.
You can also drop off your parcels at Express service points. But be aware: not all normal DHL points are also Express points.
DHL Express is a premium shipping option. The cost of a shipment depends on the country you are shipping to and the weight of the shipment. In your price overview, you will find the costs per weight class and destination.
Do you use smart shipping rules? Then avoid errors by setting the conditions in which you want to automatically choose DHL Express.
Once you know which Express option you want to work with, print your labels in one click. After your parcels have been picked up, you and your customer can follow them closely.
Happy shipping! If you have any questions about DHL Express, feel free to leave a comment.
Looking for the right carrier and shipping option for your shipments? Check out which carriers – such as DHL, DPD and more – are right for your online store.
