DPD Germany launches cross-border e-commerce shipping service
Parcel carrier DPD Germany has launched a new cross-border business-to-consumer shipping service to more than 30 major e-commerce markets. The new service, DPD Direct, aims to take care of the complex paperwork faced by online retailers selling to consumers in other countries.
DPD said it deals with all applicable import and customs regulations, provide specialist B2C delivery, and provide an “uncomplicated” returns solution.
The new service is already operational and is being provided through partnership with UK-based cross-border shipping business wnDirect, which has been majority-owned by DPD parent GeoPost since May.
Ralf Bürk, director of international products and services at DPD Germany, said there was “tremendous” growth potential in cross-border e-commerce.
“However,” he said, “the obstacles are still great, especially for shipments to non-EU countries. It is our aim to support such shippers in opening up new markets for themselves.”
Through DPD Direct, German e-retailers will be able to ship to the major markets of USA, China, India and Brazil, as well as smaller markets that offer good potential, such as Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong and Australia.
The service will require just the parcel itself and necessary electronic data from the retailer — DPD will then take care of the rest, including customs clearance, processing of charges and compliance with country-specific regulations.
DPD said delivery within the destination countries will be carried out by “best in class” partner companies who have a B2C specialism.
wnDirect
wnDirect, which is 57%-owned by La Poste subsidiary GeoPost, has been working with DPD UK since February 2013 to provide the DPD Direct cross-border service for British e-retailers.
For DPD Germany, the new international B2C service is part of its current ambitions to double its overall market share in business-to-consumer shipping within Germany, to 15% of the market by 2018.
“The new offer is an ideal supplement to our own expertise in domestic and European B2C shipping,” said Bürk. “At the same time it highlights the fact that for a long time now we have no longer simply been a transport operator – we are now an ideal partner for all companies aiming to access new target groups by offering outstanding shipping services.”
