DHL Express launches online on-demand shipping

DHL Express this week announced the launch of online On Demand Delivery for a small number of selected countries in the Sub-Sahara Africa  region.

The new service allows shippers and receivers globally to select from a range of standardised delivery options to six pilot destinations. Once operational in these six jurisdictions, DHL Express intends to expand the service to more African countries.

“Globally, we have seen the share of e-commerce deliveries grow from about 10% in 2013 to more than 20% of the international volumes of DHL Express in 2016,” said Hennie Heymans, CEO of DHL Express Sub-Saharan Africa.

On Demand Delivery developed in response to significant growth in premium cross-border e-commerce volumes with flexible shipping options designed to enhance the customer experience for online shoppers. Initially, it is rolled-out  only in six markets, South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mauritius and Tanzania, with plans to expand to more countries in Sub-Sahara Africa during this year.

On Demand Delivery offers shippers the choice to activate specific delivery options and have DHL Express proactively notify their customers via email or SMS about a shipment’s progress.

Customers can select the delivery option that best suits their requirements via the On Demand Delivery website. The service is specifically tailored to the demands of international e-commerce deliveries, where the majority of shipments are addressed to residential addresses and customers place considerable emphasis on flexibility and convenience.

“This has primarily been driven by the strong demand for high-value and premium goods in the global marketplace, as well as the emergence of start-up retailers who are growing beyond borders and therefore require a worldwide door-to-door delivery service.”

“On Demand Delivery isn’t just a new customer interface – it also represents an enhancement of our worldwide network, as we have tailored our last-mile operations to meet the specific demands of cross-border e-commerce deliveries,” Heymans said.

DHL supports the service offering of online shippers and improve the delivery experience for their customers, while improving our own efficiency, particularly for last-mile deliveries.

On Demand Delivery is easy to use and benefits both shippers and receivers. The site is accessed from any smartphone, tablet or PC, and offers receivers up to six delivery options.

“Shippers can incorporate their own branding into customer notifications. Receivers can schedule a delivery, arrange delivery to a nearby DHL Service Point or their own alternate address, and even request that a shipment is put on hold during a vacation” DHL stated.