Coping with DHL's Christmas Surge Charges: A Guide for Online Businesses
DHL will impose a new commercial levy prior to Christmas
Get ready for some extra costs this holiday season! DHL, the logistics giant, is about to slap small and medium-sized online businesses with an additional parcel fee in the lead up to Christmas. If you're unprepared, it could be a ton of coal in your stocking. But don't despair! Here are some alternatives to help you navigate these tricky waters.
How to Beat the DHL Black Friday Special Surcharge
1. Switch to Another Carrier
Consider ditching DHL and joining forces with logistics providers like UPS, FedEx, or local carriers. They might not have similar surcharges during peak seasons, saving you a bundle.
2. Go Postal (or Flat Export!) for International Shipments
If you're shipping overseas, check out Flat Export or USPS. They might be the cheaper option compared to DHL.
3. Sales Season Shift
Encourage your customers to shop during less busy periods, like Singles Day on November 11, before the DHL peak weeks start. This reduces your reliance on peak season shipping.
4. Pre-Season Discounts
Offer discounts or promotions in October, encouraging customers to buy before the DHL surcharge period. This helps smooth out demand and reduces peak season shipping volumes.
5. Bargain with the Big Dogs
If you're a high-volume business, negotiate better rates with carriers like DHL. They might just bend over backwards to keep your business.
6. Regional Riders
Use regional or local carriers in markets like the Netherlands or Belgium. They don't usually increase rates during these periods, keeping your costs down while maintaining your local market presence.
7. Custom Delivery Personalization
Offer personalized delivery options that fit your customers' preferences, potentially reducing the need for rush shipping during peak periods. Improving customer satisfaction without incurring peak season surcharges is a win-win!
Making the Most of Your Shipping Plan
- Data-Driven Decisions: Use tools like Easyship to compare shipping rates across different carriers and make data-driven decisions.
- Promotion Power: Develop promotions to encourage customers to purchase outside of peak times.
- Communication is Key: Keep your customers informed about potential delays or surcharges during peak times to manage their expectations.
By diversifying your shipping options and strategically managing your sales seasons, small and medium-sized online businesses can sail through DHL's holiday season surcharges with ease!
- For online businesses bracing for DHL's December surcharges, it's crucial to consider alternative shipping carriers, such as UPS, FedEx, or local providers, which might not impose similar surcharges during peak seasons (Employment policy, employment policy, employment policy, employment policy, employment policy, employment policy, employment policy, employment policy, employment policy, employment policy, employment policy, employment policy, employment policy, employment policy).
- When shipping internationally, opt for Flat Export or USPS to potentially save costs compared to DHL (Parcels, December, Whatsapp, h2).
- Proactively encourage customers to shop during less busy seasons, like Singles Day on November 11, to minimize reliance on DHL's peak season shipping (Sales Season Shift).
