Every time you need to deliver a package, DHL never fails to come to mind. It’s because DHL is a global leader in the logistics industry. But how long does DHL take to deliver?
DHL’s delivery time varies because it greatly depends on several factors. Among these are the type of product to deliver and the destination. For neighboring countries, delivery time can take 2 to 3 days. Whereas, for countries with long distances, it can take up to 20 days. Merchants who use DHL services typically indicate the expected delivery time on their websites.
Read on to learn more about how long does DHL take to deliver and other topics related to it.
How Long Does DHL Take to Deliver?
DHL delivery for neighboring countries usually takes 2 to 3 days. DHL delivery for countries with long distances can take up to 20 days. Merchants who use DHL services normally post the expected delivery time on their websites.
DHL International GmbH, or simply DHL, is a global express mail, package delivery, and courier service. It delivers more than a billion parcels annually and ships to over 200 countries daily.
This logistics company is greatly recognized for its reliability in delivering products and services. It is also known for offering competitive rates in terms of international shipments.
DHL Delivery Times
To answer your question on how long does DHL Express take to deliver, they follow three timelines:
- DHL Express 9:00 AM
- Express 10:30 AM
- DHL Express 12:00 Noon
The process for all these timelines is basically the same. But let me briefly explain each one of them.
1. DHL Express 9:00
Under this timeline, DHL Express performs a door-to-door delivery on or before 9:00 AM. If you don’t receive the package, you have the right to get your money back. All you have to do is to coordinate with DHL Express Customer Support.
2. DHL Express 10:30
With the DHL Express at 10:30, expect a door-to-door delivery on or before 10:30 AM. So, if the package does not arrive, you have the right to get your money back. Contact DHL Customer Support to know how to go about this.
3. DHL Express 12:00
As for the DHL Express 12:00, you will receive your door-to-door delivery package on or before 12:00 noon. Similarly, you have the right to get your money back if the package is not delivered to you. All you have to do is to contact DHL Customer Support and coordinate with them.
DHL follows a strict process before parcels are delivered. The delivery time depends on the place of origin and the destination of the delivery. Also, before delivering the package, DHL practices due diligence to ensure that the items to be delivered are all legal. They then determine the exact cost of the package and then queue it for shipping.
How long does DHL Express take to deliver? In most cases, it takes them 4 to 5 days to deliver an international package. But if you’re wondering how long it takes DHL to ship from China to the United States, it usually takes 2 to 3 days.
However, in case you don’t want to get the express services of DHL, the delivery time will be a little longer. Some deliveries can take up to 20 days or even a month.
Aside from the place of origin and destination, there are other factors affecting delivery time. These include the shape, size, and type of the item inside the package. Suffice it to say that these are also the factors affecting delivery cost.
DHL Domestic and International Shipping Time
For domestic deliveries, shipping typically takes roughly 3 to 8 business days. This applies to standard shipping.
As for DHL’s international shipping, the standard shipping takes approximately 1 to 3 weeks. At the same time, its expedited shipping takes 4 to 12 business days. Again, the delivery time depends on several factors.
DHL Delivery Delays
DHL follows strict timelines to make sure that all packages are delivered on time. However, there are unavoidable circumstances that cause delays in deliveries. These circumstances include bad weather conditions and traffic, among others.
When these situations occur, DHL makes sure that its customers are informed and are warned that there may be some delays. You may also visit the DHL website to get updated about their latest advisories.
DHL Domestic Shipping
Domestic delivery times and delivery rates are posted on the DHL website.
DHL offers different types of domestic deliveries based on weight. These include the following:
- SmartMail Parcel
- DHL SmartMail Parcel Plus
- SmartMail Parcel Return
- DHL SmartMail Bound Printed Matter
- DHL SmartMail Flats
Let’s discuss the features of each of them:
1. DHL SmartMail Parcel
The DHL Smart Parcel is a delivery service for parcels with a maximum weight of 16 oz. The parcel should also have a maximum dimension of 27 inches in length x 17 inches in width x 17 inches in height. Also, the length and girth must be less than or equal to 50 inches.
Under the DHL SmartMail Parcel, you can choose from three delivery service levels, which include:
- Expedited Max ⅔ postal days (carbon-neutral product)
- Ground 3 to 8 average postal days
- Expedited 2 to 5 average postal days
This type of delivery service does not have any delivery area or residential surcharge. Saturday delivery is also free of charge. At the same time, DHL offers a Shipment Value Protection with a maximum amount of $100.
It also offers a free end-to-end tracking service accessible via the DHL Customer Web Portal.
2. DHL SmartMail Parcel Plus
This type of DHL delivery service is ideal for parcels with weights ranging between 1 and 25 lbs. The parcel should also have a maximum dimension of 27 inches in length x 17 inches in width x 17 inches in height. Also, the length and girth should be less than or equal to 50 inches.
Under the DHL SmartMail Parcel Plus, there are several delivery service levels to choose from. These include the following:
- Expedited Max ⅔ postal days (Carbon-neutral product)
- Ground 3 to 8 average postal days
- Expedited 2 to 5 average postal days
You don’t have to pay any delivery area or residential surcharge. Deliveries on Saturdays are free of charge. At the same time, DHL offers a Shipment Value Protection of up to $100.
This type of service also features free end-to-end monitoring, which you can access via the DHL Customer Web Portal.
3. DHL SmartMail Parcel Return
The DHL Smart Parcel Return is a cost-effective returns solution. This service aims to assist merchants who want to simplify and expedite their returns process.
If you choose this delivery service, the weight of your parcel should range between 1 oz. and 70 lbs. At the same time, your parcel’s maximum dimension should be 27 inches in length x 17 inches in width x 17 inches in height. Also, the length and girth should be less than or equal to 84 inches.
Under the DHL SmartMail Parcel Return, you can choose from three types of delivery services. These include the following:
- Light 2 to 4 average postal days ideal for parcels that weigh a maximum of 16 oz.
- Plus 1 to 3 average postal days for parcels weighing a maximum of 70 lbs.
- Ground 3 to 8 average postal days for parcels weighing a maximum of 70 lbs.
DHL does not charge clients with any delivery area or residential surcharge. Even deliveries during Saturdays are free of charge. At the same time, DHL offers a Shipment Value Protection with a maximum amount of $100.
Under the SmartMail Parcel Return, there are 6 label delivery methods. These include Email Label, Link Label, Consumer API, Batch Label, Stuff-the-box, and Return Shipment File (RSF).
4. DHL SmartMail Bound Printed Matter
The DHL SmartMail Bound Printed Matter is a cost-effective shipping solution designed for Bound Printed Matter parcels.
The required weight of each parcel ranges between 1 and 15 lbs. The maximum dimension is 27 inches in length x 17 inches in width and 17 inches in height. Then, the length and girth must be less than or equal to 50 inches.
Under the DHL SmartMail Bound Printed Matter, there are two delivery service levels that you can choose from. These include the following:
- Expedited 2 to 5 average postal days
- Ground 3 to 8 average postal days
DHL does not require its clients to pay any delivery area or residential surcharge. Its deliveries on Saturdays are free of charge. DHL offers even the Shipment Value Protection for free.
5. DHL SmartMail Flats
The DHL SmartMail Flats is a type of Flat format mailing solution. Under this service, DHL accepts mail pieces with a maximum weight of 16 oz. The length should be between 6 inches and 15 inches. Height should be between 5 inches and 12 inches. At the same time, the thickness should be between 0.009 inches and 0.75 inches. Also, the uniform thickness must be within 0.25 inches.
This mailing solution offers a ground delivery service level of 3 to 8 average postal days. It delivers on Saturdays free of charge. Also, customers are not subject to any delivery area or residential surcharge.
You can track the mail any time using the USPS network since this collaborates between DHL and USPS.
DHL International Shipping
There are three types of DHL International Shipping services. All of them feature flexible pick-up times, electronic invoicing, and access to various online shipping tools.
These service types are the following:
- DHL Packet International
- Parcel International Standard
- DHL Parcel International Direct
Let’s discuss their features:
1. DHL Packet International
The DHL Packet International service is a cost-effective, lightweight shipping service offered worldwide.
Under this type of service, the package should not exceed 4.4 lbs. The maximum dimension should be 24 inches in length and 24 inches in width. At the same time, the minimum dimension is 6 inches in length and 4 inches in width.
Delivery time ranges between 4 and 8 working days. DHL provides clients with access to Milestone Tracking. This technology notifies clients once the package has arrived in the destination country, among other features. The Milestone Tracking technology is accessible in over 70 countries.
2. DHL Parcel International Standard
The DHL Parcel International Standard service offers an ideal balance between affordability and visibility. DHL offers this service in over 200 countries.
Under this service, the parcel should not exceed 44 lbs. However, packages for delivery to Canada have a maximum weight of 66 lbs.
The maximum dimension includes 47 inches in length x 24 inches in width x 24 inches in height. At the same time, the minimum dimension should be 6 inches in length and 4 inches in width. At the same time, the length and girth should be less than or equal to 118 inches.
Delivery time typically ranges between 4 and 14 working days. In most countries, delivery time is between 8 and 14 days. Whereas, in Canada and Europe, delivery time is between 4 and 8 days.
3. DHL Parcel International Direct
The DHL Parcel International Direct is the best-in-class shipping service from DHL. It is offered in 37 key global markets.
As for the required weight of packages, each package should not exceed 44 lbs. However, in Canada, a maximum of 66 lbs. is acceptable.
Delivery time is typically between 3 and 10 working days, depending on how far the destination country is.
Conclusion – How Long Does It Take DHL to Deliver?
The delivery time of DHL varies because it greatly depends on several factors. These include the type of product to deliver as well as the destination. For neighboring countries, DHL delivery time usually takes 2 to 3 days. Whereas, for countries with long distances, DHL delivery can take up to 20 days. Merchants who use DHL services normally post the expected delivery time on their websites.
DHL has come up with different types of delivery services to make sure that they address the needs of all their clients. Whichever service you choose, you are guaranteed that your packages are efficiently received or delivered.
