DHL eCommerce Guide

EasyPost offers users a DHL eCommerce account with discounted shipping rates. Whether for cost-conscious shippers looking to ship abroad for the first time or for those who rarely ship internationally, DHL eCommerce provides seamless connections to over 220 countries. Discounted rates are absolutely free and do not require any volume minimums, contracts, or additional fees.

This guide includes detailed information on the integration of the DHL eCommerce API with the EasyPost API, focusing on account setup, rates, label creation, manifests, tracking, and more.

Sign up for an EasyPost account to obtain a Test and Production API key. See Authentication and Key Management for more information.

Upon sign-up with EasyPost, users gain immediate access to Default Carrier Accounts, which can be enabled directly from the Dashboard. For additional carriers, EasyPost supports a Bring Your Own Account (BYOA) option. This requires users to register directly with the respective carrier.

1. Log in to EasyPost and navigate to Account Settings.

2. Select the Carriers tab.

3. Select the EasyPost Carrier Accounts tab.

4. Find DHL eCommerce in the list of carriers and select Create Account to complete the account creation process.

   

1. Contact DHL eCommerce to request a shipper account. A representative will be in touch for additional details regarding the account.
2. Inform DHL eCommerce about using EasyPost’s API for label purchases.
3. Acquire rates and align any additional shipping needs.
4. Obtain the following production and test account credentials:
   1. DHL eCommerce Client ID
   2. DHL eCommerce Client Secret
   3. DHL eCommerce Distribution Center
   4. DHL eCommerce Pickup ID
5. Input carrier-specific credentials within the EasyPost Carrier Account Dashboard for comprehensive rate access.

The API structure specified by EasyPost can also be used to add the DHL eCommerce carrier shipper account.

curl -X POST https://api.easypost.com/v2/carrier_accounts \
  -u "$EASYPOST_API_KEY": \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
  "type": "DhlEcsAccount",
  "description": "DhlEcsAccount",
  "carrier_account": {
    "credentials": {
      "client_id": "VALUE",
      "client_secret": "VALUE",
      "distribution_center": "VALUE",
      "pickup_id": "VALUE"
    },
    "test_credentials": {
      "client_id": "VALUE",
      "client_secret": "VALUE",
      "distribution_center": "VALUE",
      "pickup_id": "VALUE"
    }
  }
}'

Download an EasyPost Client Library or utilize the REST API with cURL.

Examine the EasyPost Objects section to understand the API's structure, which is critical for constructing requests and interpreting responses.

When utilizing the EasyPost DHL eCommerce Default account, billing occurs directly through EasyPost, deducting label fees from the EasyPost wallet. For the purchase of labels in a production environment, sufficient funds must be available in the wallet to cover the cost of the label.

Should there be any price adjustments post-purchase of labels and the shipment of physical items, EasyPost will modify the final amount deducted from the wallet accordingly.

DHL eCommerce (BYOA) is a Live Rating integration, enabling real-time rate retrieval for shipments created via EasyPost. Rates are guaranteed valid for a minimum of five minutes.

• When creating a shipment, EasyPost requests DHL eCommerce for shipment rates specific to the user's DHL eCommerce account.
• The rates provided are directly from DHL eCommerce and tailored to the user's specific account details.
• In cases of discrepancies or incorrect rates, users are advised to contact their DHL eCommerce account representative.
• The representative can then update the rates to ensure user account accuracy.

Discounted service levels included with the EasyPost DHL eCommerce Default account provide U.S. export coverage to over 220+ countries worldwide. Visit DHL eCommerce’s website for detailed information on domestic and international shipping services.

For international shipping via DHL eCommerce, it’s important to understand two INCOTERMS: DDU and DDP, which dictate the payment of important duties and taxes:

• DDU: The recipient is responsible for paying any import duties and taxes.
• DDP: The shipper pays all costs, including import duties and taxes, ensuring hassle-free delivery for the recipient.

Choosing between DDU and DDP affects how duties and taxes are managed, influencing the overall shipping process. See DDP vs DDU for E-Commerce Business for more information.

• DHL eCommerce - Parcel International Direct
• DHL eCommerce - Parcel International Standard
• DHL eCommerce - Packet International

BYOA accounts allow users to link their existing DHL eCommerce credentials with EasyPost and access their own DHL eCommerce rates. Coverage for BYOA accounts includes:

DHL eCommerce may not return rates for specific services during a standard rating call with EasyPost. However, these services can still be accessed through the API using a unique method known as the One-Call Buy.

The following domestic services from DHL eCommerce may not provide rates on standard rating calls but are available through the API:

• DHLBPMExpedited
• DHLBPMGround
• DHLMarketingParcelGround
• DHLMarketingParcelExpedited

• DHLPacketPlusInternational
• DHLPacketIPA

1-call buys enable streamlined label purchasing through the EasyPost API by consolidating multiple operations into a single API request. This feature is designed to simplify and accelerate the shipping process by combining the creation of a shipment, retrieval of rates, and purchasing the shipping label into one efficient step.

See Reducing API Response Times for more information.

There are no predefined packages for DHL eCommerce.

With EasyPost, the process for generating shipping labels for DHL eCommerce is the same as generating them for any other carrier.

Review the Getting Started Guide for help generating a shipping label.

• DHL eCommerce supports PNG and ZPL formatted labels. The standard label size is 4 x 6.
• Custom reference strings can be printed on labels using the print_custom_1 option.

If shipping to a country with customs clearance, all shipments will be checked by customs in that country. Therefore, it is mandatory to include the customs forms with shipments.

EasyPost offers a Customs Guide that outlines the process for including customs information in shipments. This guide enables the automatic generation of required customs forms for international shipping between two countries.

Creating return labels with DHL eCommerce returns a nominal 1-cent rate during the rating call.

• DHL eCommerce bypasses the standard rating process for return labels.
• The rating call, however, enables users to review and select from available return services.
• Post label purchase and usage, DHL eCommerce bills for the return label through its billing system, applying the correct postage fees.

• DHLSmartMailParcelReturnGround
• DHLSmartMailParcelReturnPlus
• DHLSmartMailParcelReturnLight

When utilizing the EasyPost DHL eCommerce account, dangerous goods or hazardous items that are flagged during the inspection process cannot be shipped in the DHL eCommerce network. These items will be returned by the inspection facility.

Return charges incurred by the inspection facility are submitted by DHL eCommerce as a debit to the customer’s account.

Dangerous Goods/Hazardous items are returned weekly, and the inspection facility issues a report with the issue summary and return tracking details.

DHL eCommerce is committed to the safe handling and transportation of dangerous or hazardous goods. All shipments containing hazardous materials must be properly classified, described, packaged, marked, labeled, and in proper condition for transportation.

See Hazardous Goods and Unacceptable Shipments for DHL eCommerce policies on the shipping and handling of lithium batteries, goods classified under the Limited Quantity Guidelines, and Unacceptable Shipments.

EasyPost DHL eCommerce by Default shipments must be handed off to USPS via either drop-off or pickup. USPS will transfer the package to DHL eCommerce for delivery on the shipper’s behalf.

Manifesting DHL eCommerce shipments serves two primary functions:

• Electronic Data Transmission: It fulfills the DHL eCommerce requirement of electronically transmitting shipment data.

• Driver Manifest Shipment Summary: Generates a summary document needed for DHL eCommerce driver pickup.

  

Manifesting is not instantaneous and may take several minutes to complete and receive a manifest document.

Immediate receipt of a driver manifest summary is not possible; it becomes available shortly after the manifesting process:

1. Create a batch with a list of shipments (or add shipments to the batch throughout the day).

2. Batch Processing

   1. Option A: Wait approximately 1-3 seconds for the batch creation to complete.
   2. Option B: Monitor for a batch.updated webhook event indicating the batch.state has changed to created.

   Note: Initiating the next step during the “creating” status leads to errors.

3. Execute the manifest scan_form batch.

4. Manifest Confirmation

   1. Option A: Wait up to five minutes and retrieve the scan_form to confirm completion.
   2. Option B: Use webhooks to wait for the scan_form.updated event and obtain the manifest document URL at that time.

DHL eCommerce tracking operates similarly to other carriers integrated with EasyPost.

• DHL eCommerce may transfer packages to USPS for last-mile delivery within the United States.
• The accuracy of final delivery tracking is contingent upon DHL eCommerce receiving and then conveying USPS updates to EasyPost.

EasyPost simplifies package tracking by offering two methods:

• Tracking with an existing number and carrier.
• Using a Tracker included with an EasyPost-purchased shipping label.

The service integrates webhooks for timely shipment updates. For detailed information on tracking methods, visit the Tracking Guide.

The Carrier Metadata endpoint can programmatically return information about service levels, predefined packages, supported features, and shipment options.

Use this information to quickly integrate and make educated decisions about the mix of carriers for shipping needs. Additionally, the Carrier Metadata endpoint is available to retrieve comprehensive information about all carriers on the EasyPost platform, enhancing decision-making for carrier services.

In addition to the guidance provided in our Carrier Guides, EasyPost offers support to assist with FAQs, troubleshooting issues, and inquiries related to the EasyPost platform.

Please visit the Help Center for more information.

For questions about getting started with the EasyPost API please Talk to a Shipping Expert or contact our Support team.