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ShipStation Carrier Services: DHL Express

DHL Express is an international carrier that provides delivery to almost every country in the world.

DHL Express via ShipStation Carrier Services allows you to create DHL Express labels without the need for a personal DHL Express account and provides discounts of up to 60% off DHL Express retail postage costs.

DHL Express services are not available by default. Review the Requirements and Request Access sections below for details on how to add DHL Express to ShipStation Carrier Services.

Requirements

To access DHL Express from ShipStation, you must:

  • Register your interest in the program. Review the Request Access to DHL Express section below.

  • Not have an existing DHL Express account.

    If you have a DHL Express account already connected to ShipStation, you will not be able to add DHL Express to ShipStation Carrier Services. If this is the case, simply create DHL Express labels using your existing account and the rates in your existing DHL Express contract.

Request access to DHL Express from ShipStation

Unlike other carrier options available with ShipStation Carrier Services, DHL Express from ShipStation is not enabled automatically. Instead, you must request access first. Once approved, DHL Express via ShipStation Carrier Services will be added to your ShipStation account.

To request access to DHL Express from ShipStation, follow the steps below:

  1. Go to Account Settings (the wrench icon in the upper right).

    V3_TB_Settings_MRK.png

  2. Select Shipping then choose Carriers & Fulfillment from the left-hand sidebar.

    V3a_SET_SB_SHP_Carriers_and_Fulfillment_MRK.png

  3. Click the Add a Provider Account button.

    SET_CandF_AddProvider-BTN-US_MRK.png

  4. Select the DHL Express tile and click Connect.

    dhl_express_tile.png

  5. Click the link Click here to get started and fill in the necessary fields.

  6. Click Connect.

This gif illustrates the process:

SET_CandF_Add_DHLX_Register_GIF.gif

Note

The approval process can take up to 2 weeks when adding DHL Express to ShipStation Carrier Services. Once approved, DHL Express and Stamps.com will appear under the heading ShipStation Carrier Services in your Carriers & Fulfillment settings.

Available Features

ShipStation Carrier Service's DHL Express carrier option supports for the following standard features:

Common ShipStation Features

Feature

Supported?

Domestic Shipping
Red X mark

International Shipping
Green checkmark

Electronic Customs Submission
Green checkmark

Return Labels
Red X mark

Estimated Rates
Green checkmark

Carrier Insurance
Green checkmark

Tracking
Green checkmark

Automatic Tracking
Green checkmark

End of Day (Electronic)
Red X mark

End of Day (PDF)
Red X mark

Label Branding
Red X mark

Label Messages
Red X mark

Multi-package Shipping
Red X mark

Multiple Accounts
Red X mark

International Services

DHL Express Worldwide

Package Options

Package

Custom Packages

Express Envelope

Confirmation Options

Electronic Signature

Additional Features

DHL Express from ShipStation allows for the following additional features:

Feature

Description

Discounted Rates

DHL Express via ShipStation Carrier Services provides savings up to 60% off standard DHL prices.

Prepaid postage

All DHL Express from ShipStation shipments are prepaid and use a shared pool of funds with other carriers linked to ShipStation Carrier Services.

Scheduled Pickups

You can arrange pickups for your DHL Express shipments by calling 1-800-CALL-DHL and providing a DHL representative with DHL Express tracking numbers.

The DHL representative will arrange a pickup for you. If you need to schedule regular pickups for DHL Express, contact carrierservices@shipstation.com and our team will work with DHL Express to arrange reoccurring pickups.

Order DHL Express branded packaging

You can order DHL Express branded packaging from ShipStation when using DHL Express from ShipStation.

To order packaging, contact carrierservices@shipstation.com. Please include the following in your email:

  • The product(s) you wish to order

  • The quantity

  • The address to ship the materials to

The carrier integration can be used to create domestic shipping labels.

The carrier integration can be used to create international shipping labels.

ShipStation will submit international customs information electronically to the carrier.

The carrier integration can be used to create domestic return labels.

ShipStation will display estimated shipping rates for the carrier based on the connected account information and shipment details.

Additional carrier insurance can be purchased through ShipStation.

Shipping labels created for this carrier will include a tracking number that can be used to view the shipment status on carrier's tracking website. Tracking may not be available for all shipping services.

When tracking is available, ShipStation will automatically track the shipment status and update the tracking status on the Shipping tab. This feature allows for other advanced ShipStation features like delayed notifications and the Branded Tracking Page.

ShipStation can perform an End of Day process for the carrier and submits the shipment information electronically. The End of Day process can be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. A printable file may or may not be available, see the End of Day (PDF).

ShipStation can perform an End of Day process for the carrier and creates an End of Day PDF file that can be printed and provided to the carrier. The End of Day process can be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. The file may or may not be submitted electronically, see End of Day (Electronic).

ShipStation can print the store's logo on shipping labels created for this carrier. Label branding may not be available for all shipping services.

ShipStation can include information which will be displayed on the label as a label message. Label messages may not be available for all shipping services.

The carrier integration can be used to create multi-package shipments, where multiple individual packages are linked together into a single shipment record with a master tracking number.

You can connect this carrier integration to ShipStation multiple times using different account information, and choose which account will be used to create each shipment.

Sync DHL Express Checkout Rates in ShipStation

ShipStation's relationship with DHL Express allows you to share your discounted DHL Express rates with your customers during their checkout process.

Currently, you can sync the DHL Express rates you receive through ShipStation Carrier Services to the following selling channels:

  • Shopify

  • BigCommerce

  • WooCommerce

  • Magento

Other Platforms Coming Soon:

  • eBay

  • ChannelAdvisor

If your selling channel is not on this list, but you'd like to see support for DHL Express rates, please fill out this form to let us know!

To ensure the calculated DHL Express rates charged at checkout sync as closely as possible to the DHL Express rate you pay in ShipStation, you must first configure DHL Express correctly in your selling channel account.

Click on the section for your selling channel below to learn how to configure these rate in your store.

After you have configured your store correctly, follow the instructions in the Map DHL Express Services in ShipStation section to set ShipStation to automatically apply DHL Express to the proper orders as soon as they import.

Configure DHL Express in Shopify

Shopify allows you to set shipping options based on the Shipping Zone, which is a country or collection of countries where the recipient is located. Since DHL Express is an international only shipping service, you'll want to create a new shipping service in the Rest of World zone.

  1. Log into Shopify and click Settings in the lower left-hand corner of the Shopify admin homepage.

    Shopify_SettingsMenu_MRK.png

  2. Click Shipping.

    Shopify_Settings-Shipping_MRK.png

  3. Find Rest of World in the Shipping rates at checkout section and click Edit.

    Shopify_RestofWorld-Edit_MRK.png

    Rest of World will encompass all international shipping.

    • If you only want to offer DHL Express to certain countries, you can edit the country-specific Shipping Zone.

    • If the Shipping Zone you want to use does not exist yet, review this Shopify Shipping Zones article for more information.

You can now configure your DHL Express rates for checkout in one of two ways:

  • Option 1: Set static rates manually.

    This option sets static rates for a Shipping Zone based on either total order price or total order weight. You can use ShipStation's rate calculator to preview estimated rates to help you evaluate the static prices you want to offer.

    Important

    Using a static rate like this can result in discrepancies when you compare the actual cost of the label with what the customer pays at checkout. The benefit is it's much easier to highlight static rates in advertisements or promotions, like $50 shipping worldwide! or Free worldwide shipping for orders over $200!

  • Option 2: Set calculated rates using Shopify Shipping.

    This option determines a calculated rate based on destination postcode, the total weight, and your default package size.  It will display that calculated rate for your customers at checkout.

    A calculated rate means that your customers will be paying about the same amount for the shipping cost that you'll be paying to ship the order. This option can be helpful if you want to avoid undercharging for shipping.

    Note

    When using option 2...

    • The rates your customers will see at checkout are based on the discounted rates offered by Shopify Shipping.

    • When using DHL Express via ShipStation Carrier Services, the DHL Express rates offered in ShipStation should be roughly equivalent to the rates you'd get if you created the label through Shopify Shipping. However, due to differences in how certain surcharges - like fuel surcharges - are calculated, there may be a slight variation.

    • If you have your own account with DHL Express connected to ShipStation, the rates you see in ShipStation will be based on the connected DHL Express account, not the Shopify Shipping rates.

Option 1

To set static DHL Express rates at checkout:

  1. Scroll down to either the Price based rates or Weight based rates section and click Add Rate.

    Shopify_addrate_manual_MRK.png

  2. Choose a name for the shipping option, the minimum and maximum range for the rate, and the shipping cost. You can also select if the shipping option is free or not.

  3. Click Done to save the service.

  4. Create additional services if you want to offer different rate options based on total price or total weight.

  5. Click Save when you have completed setting up all your services.

    Shopify_SaveBTN_MRK.png

Option 2

To create a calculated rate:

  1. Scroll down to the Calculated Rates section and click Add Rate.

    Shopify_CalcRate_AddRate_MRK.png

  2. Choose DHL Express (Discounted rates from Shopify Shipping) from the Select a carrier dropdown in the Add calculated rate screen.

    Shopify_CalcRate_SelectDHLX_MRK.png

  3. Click Done.

    DHL Express will now be listed under Calculated Rates.

    Shopify_CalcRate_DHLXDisplay.png

  4. Click Save.

    Shopify_SaveBTN_MRK.png

Whichever option you chose, your international customers will now see the DHL Express option you created as an available shipping option during check-out.

Shopify_Checkout_DHLX-Selected.png

You can now configure ShipStation to automatically apply DHL Express Worldwide to these orders as soon as they import.

Configure DHL Express in BigCommerce

To manage your BigCommerce checkout rates, you'll need to install the ShipperHQ plug-in on your BigCommerce account. Once installed, you can configure DHL Express as a carrier within the plugin to make these rates available to your customers at checkout.

Important

ShipperHQ is not free. You will incur a monthly fee if you install and subscribe to this plug-in.

To install and configure the ShipperHQ plug-in, do the following:

  1. Go to the BigCommerce App Marketplace.

    BC_ShipperHQ-Plugin_MRK.png

  2. Search for and install the ShipperHQ app.

    For assistance, review the BigCommerce help article about installing ShipperHQ.

    Once installed, you can then set up DHL Express as a carrier.

  3. Create DHL Express as a carrier in ShipperHQ.

    Review ShipperHQ's help article about creating a carrier.

    You will need your DHL account number, Site ID, and Password for this step. If you use DHL Express via ShipStation Carrier Services, contact carrierservices@shipstation.com to request this information.

    BC_ShipperHQ-AccountSettings_MRK.png

    When selecting shipping methods, only select Express Worldwide and Express Envelope, as these are the only services available in ShipStation.

    BC_ShipperHQ_SelectDHLServices.png

    Once you have completed configuring DHL Express in ShipperHQ, you're then ready to turn it on so it displays DHL Express rates to your customers at checkout.

  4. Go to Store Setup > Shipping.

    BC_StoreSetup-Shipping.png

  5. Set the toggle from Default to Advanced under Checkout Shipping Options.

    BC_ShippingRuleToggle_MRK.png

And that's it! DHL Express should now display as a shipping option with live rates during your customer's checkout.

BC_DHLXCheckout.png

Note

To ensure your live rates are as accurate as possible, be sure to enter the weight and dimensions in BigCommerce for each product you plan on shipping with DHL Express.

BC_ProductsDIMS.png

Configure DHL Express in WooCommerce

To manage your WooCommerce checkout rates, you'll need to install the ELEX WooCommerce DHL Express plug-in. Once installed, you can configure DHL Express to show rates to your customers at checkout.

Important

The ELEX WooCommerce DHL Express plug-in is not free. You will incur a one-time fee if you install this plug-in.

To install and configure the ELEX WooCommerce DHL Express plug-in, do the following:

  1. Go to the ELEX WooCommerce DHL Express plug-in page and purchase the plug-in.

  2. Download the plug-in from the ELEX API Downloads page.

    WC_Elex_DownloadPlugin.png

  3. Install the plug-in to your WooCommerce account.

    To install, go to Plugins > Add New > Upload Plugin. Choose the file you've just downloaded. It should be called "dhl-woocommerce-shipping".

    WC_Elex_AddNewPlugin.png
    WC_Elex_UploadPlugin.png

  4. Click Activate Plugin once installed.

    WC_Elex_ActivatePlugin.png

  5. Open the ELEX plug-in in your WooCommerce account, choose DHL Express and go to the License tab.

    Enter the required license information, which can be found on the ELEX Extension API Keys page. Once done, it should say "Activated" in the License tab.

  6. Go to the General tab and enter a DHL Account Number, Site ID, and Password.

    If you use DHL Express via ShipStation Carrier Services, contact carrierservices@shipstation.com to request this information.

    WC_General_DHLAccountInfo.png

  7. Go to the Rates and Services tab and configure how you'd like DHL Express to appear in your cart.

    WC_RatesAndServices_Config.png

    When enabling services, enable only Express Worldwide and Express Envelope, as other services are not available in ShipStation.

And that's it! DHL Express should now display as a shipping option with live rates during your customer's checkout.

Note

Though the ELEX plug-in offers label printing capabilities, you will not be able to print DHL Express labels with the account number provided by ShipStation. You must import your orders to ShipStation to create and print these labels.

Configure DHL Express in Magento

To manage your Magento checkout rates, you'll need to install a third-party plug-in that offers the ability to display DHL Express as a shipping method on your store's checkout page.

There are two plug-in options available to display DHL Express rates in Magento. The option you choose will depend on whether you are a Magento 1 or Magento 2 user.

Magento Plug-ins in Pilot Stage!

These third-party plug-ins are currently in a pilot stage for DHL Express rates with ShipStation. Please email carrierservices@shipstation.com if you need assistance with viewing DHL Express rates in your Magento checkout screen.

Magento 1 Plug-in Instructions

The plug-in for Magento 1 users is called ShipStation as Shipping Method. This plug-in has a one-time purchase fee of $125, but requires no additional subscription to use.

To get started, do the following:

  1. Purchase the ShipStation as Shipping Method plug-in from the Magento Marketplace.

  2. Install the plug-in module in your Magento store.

    If you are unsure how to install plug-ins to your store, review the Magento help page about installing extensions.

  3. Go to Settings > Shipping Methods > ShipStation tab in your Magento admin site.

  4. Fill in the API connection details:

    Magento1_ShippingMethods_RatesPlugin.png

    • API URL to use: https://ssapi.shipstation.com

    • Username: enter your ShipStation API Key

    • Password: enter your ShipStation API Secret

    To locate your ShipStation API Key and Secret, log into your ShipStation account and go to Settings > Account > API Settings. Copy both key and secret and paste them into the correct fields in Magento. If no key and secret exist yet, simply click Generate API Keys to create them.

Once you have completed the above steps, the plug-in will use the ShipStation API to pull live rates into your Magento checkout page!

Magento 2 Plug-in Instructions

The plug-in for Magento 2 users is called MageShip. This plug-in is free to download and install, but requires a monthly subscription with MageShip to use.

This plug-in requires several steps taken in both your Magento account and MageShip account to configure. The following list summarizes the steps you'll take, but we recommend following the steps provided in the MageShip installation guide.

  1. Create an account on https://mageship.io and subscribe to the MageShip plan that best suits your business needs.

  2. Download the MageShip extension and install in your Magento account.

    Follow the installation instructions provided by MageShip to install the plug-in to your Magento account.

  3. Configure your website URL in the MageShip account.

  4. Enter your MageShip API Key into your Magento settings.

You do not need to take any action in ShipStation for the MageShip plug-in to start displaying DHL Express rates in your Magento checkout screen.

Once you have installed and configured the correct plug-in for your Magento store, set up Service Mapping for your DHL Express Magento orders so ShipStation will automatically apply the correct service to the orders when they import. Follow the instructions in the Map DHL Express Services in ShipStation section below.

Map DHL Express Services in ShipStation

ShipStation receives the requested shipping service information for orders that import from Shopify and BigCommerce. It is shown in the Shipping Info section of the Order Details screen and the Shipping sidebar.

V2_ODET_ShippingSB_RequestedSvc-DHLXWorldwide_Unmapped.png

Use ShipStation's Service Mapping option to auto-assign DHL Express to these orders when they import.

There are two ways to do this:

  1. If orders have already imported, locate an order and click Unmapped next to the Requested Shipping Service.

    • Set the Service to DHL Express Worldwide with Package as the package type.

    • Click Save Changes.

      V2_ServiceMapping-PU-DHLXWorldwide_Mapped.png

  2. If orders have not yet imported, map the Requested Shipping Service in the store settings.

    • Go to Settings > Selling Channels > Store Setup.

    • Click Edit for the Shopify or BigCommerce store (whichever store you wish to map).

    • In the Shipping Services tab, click the Add Service Mapping option to create the service mapping manually.

      • For Shopify static rates: the Requested Shipping Service will be whatever name you entered for the service in Shopify.

      • For Shopify calculated rates: the Requested Shipping Service is "WORLDWIDE"

      • For BigCommerce: the Requested Shipping service is ???

    • Set the Service to DHL Express Worldwide and Package as the package type.

    • Click Save Settings.

Once the service mapping has been set up, any Shopify or BigCommerce order for which the customer has selected DHL Express will automatically have DHL Express Worldwide configured for it in ShipStation. All you have to do is create the label and ship!

File an Insurance Claim

Should one of your DHL Express packages get lost or damaged, DHL Express via ShipStation Carrier Services includes standard liability to reimburse the shipper.

Claims must be filed by the shipper and within 30 days of the date DHL accepted the shipment.  Claims are subject to DHL Express's terms and conditions.

  1. Download and fill in the PDF form from DHL Express.

  2. In the DHL Account Number field, either enter “I do not have one” or leave the input field blank since you do not have a DHL Express account number.

  3. Submit that PDF to carrierservices@shipstation.com.

Troubleshooting Tips

Here are some common issues, potential causes, and troubleshooting tips.

Issue

How to troubleshoot or resolve

I'm getting an error that indicates DHL Express can't find the recipient address when attempting to create labels, what should I do?

Typically these errors will be displayed in one of two ways:

  1. Cannot determine destination service. Check recipient information and resubmit. If this problem reoccurs contact your technical service representative.

  2. The destination country X location postal code Y or City Z is invalid. Please check the destination country location details.

Both of these errors indicate that the recipient address is not formatted properly for DHL Express shipments. Compare the address details using the DHL Compatibility Tool and correct the address where needed.

The carrier integration can be used to create domestic shipping labels.

The carrier integration can be used to create international shipping labels.

ShipStation will submit international customs information electronically to the carrier.

The carrier integration can be used to create domestic return labels.

ShipStation will display estimated shipping rates for the carrier based on the connected account information and shipment details.

Additional carrier insurance can be purchased through ShipStation.

Shipping labels created for this carrier will include a tracking number that can be used to view the shipment status on carrier's tracking website. Tracking may not be available for all shipping services.

When tracking is available, ShipStation will automatically track the shipment status and update the tracking status on the Shipping tab. This feature allows for other advanced ShipStation features like delayed notifications and the Branded Tracking Page.

ShipStation can perform an End of Day process for the carrier and submits the shipment information electronically. The End of Day process can be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. A printable file may or may not be available, see the End of Day (PDF).

ShipStation can perform an End of Day process for the carrier and creates an End of Day PDF file that can be printed and provided to the carrier. The End of Day process can be mandatory or optional, based on the carrier and your account with them. The file may or may not be submitted electronically, see End of Day (Electronic).

ShipStation can print the store's logo on shipping labels created for this carrier. Label branding may not be available for all shipping services.

ShipStation can include information which will be displayed on the label as a label message. Label messages may not be available for all shipping services.

The carrier integration can be used to create multi-package shipments, where multiple individual packages are linked together into a single shipment record with a master tracking number.

You can connect this carrier integration to ShipStation multiple times using different account information, and choose which account will be used to create each shipment.

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