Borderless e-commerce: international shipping with DHL

To expand nationally and internationally, you need reliable worldwide shipping and customer-friendly returns in your destination countries. With DHL's international delivery network and easy shipping handling, borderless growth becomes simple.

By its nature, online retail knows no borders. The increasing harmonization of trade rules in Europe makes it ever easier to expand abroad, and beyond Europe the international market is being tapped more and more.

Shipping and returns are a common worry when selling abroad

Studies show that a large share of retailers already sell to end customers abroad, with B2B cross-border sales close behind. Yet many who hesitate to expand across borders fear problems with shipping and returns: complex shipping handling, complicated customs clearance, and difficult returns are among the top reasons that hold sellers back. Cross-border trade can lift revenue significantly, so it's worth knowing that shipping, customs, and returns can be straightforward and reliable internationally too.

DHL offers flexible solutions for the particular demands international shipping places on online retail, including high expectations of customer-friendliness and simple, central control of the whole process.

Europe-wide shipping with the DHL Europaket

A comprehensive partner network guarantees fast, reliable transit times for B2B shipping to 32 European countries, including outlying areas. As with national shipping, business customers can control everything centrally: shipping preparation including EDI-data generation, pickup and tracking, and ordering packaging material. The usual services are available too, such as around-the-clock tracking, several free delivery attempts, GoGreen, and liability against loss or damage up to €500 at no extra charge. For higher-value goods, additional transport insurance can cover items up to €25,000.

Worldwide shipping with DHL Paket International

With DHL Paket International, online stores reach B2C customers beyond Europe in 220 countries and territories, using the destination countries' post-office networks to make pickup and returns easy. Flexible services have been expanded further:

• Post Delivered Duty Paid (DDP): in selected destinations, customs are handled so buyers pay no customs fees, giving them full price transparency. It's bookable for a flat fee, with DHL settling the customs charges with the retailer.

• Closest Droppoint: customers can have their order delivered to the nearest parcel shop. For the sender it's no extra effort (the recipient address suffices), first-attempt delivery is guaranteed, and it's usually cheaper than doorstep delivery.

A doorstep-delivery service is also available in a growing list of European countries.

Flexible options with international returns

A simple, affordable returns option is often decisive for the purchase. Internationally there are several easy options: DHL's Retoure International offers flexible solutions for the most important European countries, all easy for online stores to bill thanks to a flat price. For more, see our guide to international returns.

In short, cross-border e-commerce offers big growth potential, and with DHL you can build on fast, reliable, customer-focused international shipping. Want to find out more about how Sendcloud works with DHL, or start shipping with DHL? Visit our DHL carrier page.