DHL eCommerce China expands Parcel Direct cross border lanes

Deutsche Post DHL Group’s eCommerce China unit is adding new trade lanes to its Parcel International Direct product. Chinese e-tailers will soon be able to ship goods to Canada, France, and Germany – complementing existing options for the Parcel Direct product, which currently allows merchants to ship only to the United States and the United Kingdom.

Although the US and UK are currently the largest markets for outbound e-commerce shipments from China, the three new markets could offer great potential, if logistics obstacles can be surmounted says DHL. An estimated 40% of online shoppers in Germany participate in cross-border e-commerce while the figure is about 45% in Canada.

At present, most inbound international e-commerce shipments into Canada, France, and Germany originate from regional neighbors – but a lower cost express option could increase the popularity of sourcing from further afield.

DHL’s Parcel International Direct offers merchants in China the ability to ship parcels weighing up to 20kgs to “high demand markets,” which now number five. Transit times average 4-6 days to France, 5-8 days to Germany, and 8-11 days to Canada, while shipments to Germany must weigh less than 2kg.