DPD UK Guide

DPD UK is a prominent parcel delivery service and part of Geopost, renowned for its commitment to reliability and customer service. As a member of one of Europe’s leading logistics networks, DPD UK offers a wide range of domestic and international shipping solutions.

This guide includes detailed information on utilizing DPD UK shipping with the EasyPost API, focusing on account setup, rates, label creation, manifests, tracking, and more.

Note: This carrier guide is specifically provided for the DPD United Kingdom service.


Prerequisites

Account Registration

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

Note: Negotiated rates are only available in Production mode.

Carrier Setup

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.

DPD UK Shipper Account Registration

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

DPD UK Account via API

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

curl -X POST https://api.easypost.com/v2/carrier_accounts \
  -u "$EASYPOST_API_KEY": \
  -H 'Content-Type: application/json' \
  -d '{
  "type": "DpdUkAccount",
  "description": "DpdUkAccount",
  "carrier_account": {
    "credentials": {
      "account_number": "VALUE",
      "password": "VALUE",
      "username": "VALUE"
    }
  }
}'

Software Requirements

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

Documentation Review

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


Rates

When integrating a DPD UK account with EasyPost, users should be aware of how rates are managed and displayed. Here’s a breakdown of key points:

Default Rate Display

  • EasyPost initially returns a $0.01 rate for shipments once the DPD UK account is set up.
  • DPD UK will charge the appropriate amount for postage via their billing system.

Rate Card

  • DPD UK representatives provide rate cards detailing expected costs based on shipment parameters (package size, weight, location, etc.).
  • Acquiring this custom rate card from DPD UK is crucial, as EasyPost is not automatically privy to these rates.

Rate Card Integration

Once the rate card is received from DPD UK, users should contact support@easypost.com for assistance installing this rate card into their account.


Service Levels

DPD UK offers the following services:

Service
Transit Time
Max Dimensions (inches)
Max Weight (ounces)
AirClassicInternationalAir
AirExpressInternationalAir
ExpresspakDpd10:30
ExpresspakDpd12:00
ExpresspakDpdClassic
ExpresspakDpdNextDay
ExpresspakSaturday
ExpresspakSaturday10:30
ExpresspakSaturday12:00
ExpresspakSunday
ExpresspakSunday12:00
FreightParcelDpd10:30
FreightParcelDpd12:00
FreightParcelDpdClassic
FreightParcelDpdNextDay
FreightParcelDpdTwoDay
FreightParcelSaturday
FreightParcelSaturday10:30
FreightParcelSaturday12:00
FreightParcelSunday
FreightParcelSunday12:00
PalletDpd10:30
PalletDpd12:00
PalletDpdClassic
PalletDpdNextDay
PalletDpdTwoDay
PalletSaturday
PalletSaturday10:30
PalletSaturday12:00
PalletSunday
PalletSunday12:00
ParcelDpd10:30
ParcelDpd12:00
ParcelDpdClassic
ParcelDpdNextDay
ParcelDpdTwoDay
ParcelReturnToShop
ParcelSaturday
ParcelSaturday10:30
ParcelSaturday12:00
ParcelSunday
ParcelSunday12:00

Predefined Packages

DPD UK offers the following predefined packages:

Predefined Package
Dimensions (inches)
Weight (ounces)
ParcelNA
PalletNA
ExpressPakNA
FreightParcelNA
FreightNA

Generating Shipping Labels

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

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

1-Call Buys

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.

Shipments Between UK and Ireland

DPD UK supports the Windsor Framework requirements set forth by the UK when shipments between the UK and Ireland meet certain criteria. Refer to DPD UK or the GOV.UK websites for information about specific shipping needs.

DPD UK supports the following specialized fields to support the Windsor Framework:

  • shipment.options.ukims_at_risk: A declaration by the shipper indicating whether the goods in the package are at risk of entering the EU. Possible values:
    • "YES"
    • “NO”
  • Shipment.options.ukims_is_business: A declaration by the shipper indicating whether or not the consignee is a business. Possible values:
    • "YES"
    • “NO”
  • taxidentifier.tax_id_type: The type of tax ID that is used with the shipment. See Tax Identifiers for a list of possible tax ID types by carrier. An Economic Operators Registration and Identification (EORI) number is recommended for Windsor Framework shipments.
  • taxidentifier.tax_id: The tax ID of the shipper. Required for Windsor Framework shipments.

Manifests

Manifesting is not supported or required.

Refunding and Voiding Labels

Voiding DPD UK labels through EasyPost is not supported.

Supported Options

Label Formats

EasyPost offers native DPD UK labels in EPL, ZPL, PNG, and PDF formats.


Ship2Shop

DPD UK supports Ship2Shop, a convenient option that allows customers to pick up their parcels at designated pickup locations. Specific details must be set in the shipment creation process to use this service.

  • Buyer Address: The buyer_address field must be populated with the end customer’s details, including a phone number and email to facilitate communication regarding pickup instructions.
  • Carrier Facility: The carrier_facility field to specify the Ship2Shop pickup location code.

Important Notes

  • Contact Information: Ensure the phone number and email are included in the buyer_address to contact the customer with pickup instructions.
  • Location Codes: EasyPost does not provide support for looking up location codes by zip code or latitude/longitude; customers must obtain these location codes from DPD UK.
  • Label Override: When using the Ship2Shop service, DPD UK will override the address on the label with the address corresponding to the provided location code. Ensure the location code is correct to prevent misrouting.
DPD UK Ship2Shop Label Example

Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT)

The DPD UK policy on hazardous materials is not explicitly detailed in this guide. Shippers are advised to contact DPD UK directly for specific hazmat inquiries.


Pickups

DPD UK accommodates pickups based on individual agreements with customers. While regular pickups can be arranged directly with DPD UK during the account registration process, they cannot be scheduled via the EasyPost API.


Tracking

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.


Additional Resources

Carrier Metadata

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.

Support and Troubleshooting

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.


Talk to a Shipping Expert

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