Is DHL Reliable? (10 Reasons It Is)
DHL is a carrier based in Germany that handles international shipping.
Although UPS, FedEx, and USPS are the primary carriers in the United States, you may sometimes get a package that’s handled by DHL instead.
If you’re unfamiliar with DHL, then you may wonder if you can trust them to deliver your package.
Whether it’s because of the various protections DHL puts in place or the different services they provide, here are 10 reasons DHL is reliable.
Is DHL Reliable? (10 Reasons It Is)
1. You Can Submit Claims On Lost Shipments
One of the reasons DHL is reliable is that it allows you to submit claims on lost shipments.
If your package never arrived, then you’re obviously going to feel frustrated.
The good news is that DHL ensures you have a chance of getting reimbursed by submitting a claim.
They handle their claims a bit differently than other carriers.
First, you’ll need to contact the seller and inform them that the shipment never arrived.
The seller can then submit a claim on their side to start the process.
You can also submit the claim yourself, but you’ll need written authorization to do so.
The most important aspect of submitting a claim with DHL is that you hold onto anything that did arrive.
For example, if you’re only missing a few things from your shipment, then you’ll need to hold onto the box.
It’s best to leave everything as it was.
A representative of DHL will come to your home to inspect the box.
You’ll also likely need documentation which you can get either from DHL or the seller.
If DHL finds that the shipment is indeed lost, then you’ll get your money back.
The fact that DHL allows you to submit a claim on lost shipments means it’s reliable.
2. DHL Will Attempt To Trace Lost Packages
Another aspect of DHL that makes it reliable is the fact that it will also actually try to track down any lost packages.
A lot of other carriers won’t put as much effort into trying to find a package that they lost.
Because carriers tend to be very busy, they don’t have the resources to send an employee on a hunt for your package.
DHL does.
DHL will send an employee to the last known location of your package and try to track it down from there.
Putting a trace on a package is something they do regularly when a shipment goes missing.
They want to track down the package and get it in your hands.
Part of the reason is that DHL takes its reputation seriously.
If they drop the ball too many times and frequently lose packages, then people are going to stop using them as a carrier.
As such, they put a lot of effort into tracking down a missing package.
Even if it costs them money to do so, they’re focused on providing high-quality customer service.
If DHL is unable to determine where the package has gone, then you can get your money back for any shipping fees that you paid.
You can also then inform the seller of the result of the trace, if they don’t know already, to either get a new item or to get your money back.
DHL is reliable because it puts a lot of effort into finding lost packages.
3. You Can Submit A Claim On Late Deliveries
One problem that some people experience with carriers is that their package arrives later than expected.
Most carriers will provide an estimated delivery date.
This helps the recipient make certain plans, so they can be there when the package arrives.
This is especially important if they need to sign for the package.
However, if the carrier doesn’t arrive on that expected date, then it can cause some frustration.
For example, someone may have taken the day off from work or gotten out of work early just to be there for the package.
If the package doesn’t arrive, then they might feel as though they wasted a day off or wasted time.
Many carriers won’t offer any reimbursement for late arrivals.
That leaves the customer feeling dissatisfied.
DHL does something different.
They actually provide the reimbursement, usually to the sellers, if a package arrives late.
If you paid for expedited shipping, then you can contact the seller from there to get your money back.
Otherwise, DHL might reimburse you directly if the package arrived late.
There are, of course, certain limitations to the reimbursement.
For example, if the package arrives damaged or is missing certain things within it, then you can’t file a claim for a late arrival on it.
Instead, you have to file a claim for a damaged package or a package that’s missing items.
You’ll still get reimbursement, it will just be a different kind.
In most other cases, however, you’re able to get your money back if the package arrives later than its intended date.
This makes DHL reliable because it further protects the client using them.
Other carrier companies don’t always provide this service, so it’s just one more thing that DHL does to make its customers happy.
DHL is reliable because it offers late delivery claims.
4. Excellent Tracking Services
DHL operates on an international scale.
Although the company has its headquarters in Germany, it actually services clients throughout the world.
That means its tracking services are accurate and reliable.
When you order a package with UPS, FedEx, or even the USPS, they tend to only handle the package in the United States.
They might have partners in other countries, but they don’t always handle the package directly themselves.
This can make tracking difficult because you’re relying on your carrier to pass the information on to the next carrier.
Information can easily get lost across borders.
There may be problems with translation or the information might just get damaged on the way.
It’s even possible that the new carrier doesn’t have as high-quality tracking capabilities as the previous one.
Either way, it can be difficult to stay on top of tracking if it passes into another company’s hands in a different country.
DHL avoids this by handling the package every step of the way.
Since they operate internationally, they’re able to simply take the package and put it into their own hands in a different country.
The information easily gets carried over because everything is internal.
They’re not working with another company to complete the delivery.
As such, you’re able to track the package from pickup all the way to delivery without interruption.
This makes tracking more accurate which means you’re able to plan the hand-off accordingly.
For example, you can take the day off to be at home when the package arrives or you can just be aware that there should be a package waiting for you when you get home.
Whatever you decide, DHL’s tracking information can help you because it’s reliable.
5. Cargo Shipping Options For Businesses
Another reason DHL is reliable is that it’s been providing cargo shipping options for businesses since 1815.
DHL started with simple cargo services but has since modernized with time.
They provide cargo shipping options for air travel, sea travel, and even by rail.
It offers several benefits to business owners who want to use DHL as a frequent shipping partner.
For example, they make getting your products through customs a lot easier.
DHL is an international carrier.
Because of that, they know how to handle customs.
They pass items through customs every day.
Since they understand how the system works, they know how to get their packages through customs efficiently.
The faster their packages get through customs, the faster it gets to the recipient.
This results in happy customers and better results for your business.
It’s also important if you’re using DHL to move stock.
You can’t sell anything if you don’t have the inventory to do so.
Having DHL pass things quickly through customs means you’re able to sell your products faster.
DHL also offers a multimodel service for businesses that need different cargo shipping options.
For example, if you need a container for a ship, but then you need it transported via rail, DHL can handle it all.
This makes using DHL efficient and a lot easier.
DHL is reliable because it has the experience businesses need in moving cargo safely and efficiently.
6. Discounts On Shipping For Businesses
Another reason DHL is reliable is that it provides discounts on shipping to businesses.
DHL strives to make shipping more efficient and easier for businesses.
By making your logistics system more efficient, you’re able to save money and earn higher profits.
One of the ways that DHL helps business owners save money is by scaling their operations to the business.
Not every carrier does this.
Some expect the business to scale to their needs.
DHL offers several different rates, services, and programs that business owners can use for their logistic needs.
There are two main ways that DHL determines your business’s ability to save money.
The first is volume.
Whether you have a large volume or a small volume of packages that need shipment, DHL can offer you a service that will get you the best rate.
Moving items in bulk, for example, might get you a steep discount.
The other way is frequency.
If you have DHL shipping things for you often, they’ll provide you with a discount.
This makes DHL reliable because not every other carrier or logistics company is capable of providing discounts for certain aspects of their business.
You can rely on DHL to find a way to help you save money on your business’s shipping needs.
7. Personal Customer Service
DHL is also reliable because they focus on personal customer service.
When you bring a package to a DHL employee, they do their best to remember your name and preferences.
This helps speed along the process, saving you time and energy.
DHL delivery drivers also have a reputation for being among the best.
If you’re not there to pick up a package that needs a signature, then they’re willing to meet up with you later to ensure you get it.
Part of the reason they’re so reliable is that DHL allows their drivers to communicate with the recipients of the package.
If something isn’t working, then you can discuss with the delivery driver a new possible plan.
DHL delivery drivers are also known for helping bring a package into a home if the person suffers from mobility problems.
Essentially, they’re willing to put in extra effort to ensure their customers are happy.
Not every carrier places such a focus on personal customer care.
They may only try to serve you better when you file a claim with them.
Unless you get packages regularly, your delivery driver or local drop-off store might not even know your name.
DHL is reliable because it provides personal customer service that goes above and beyond merely delivering packages.
8. Fast Shipping Despite International Borders
One of the things DHL has a reputation for is fast delivery.
Because DHL often handles international orders, a lot of customers expect their packages to take a while.
The package has to go through customs, for example, before it can arrive at their home.
Customs can take several days since so many packages have to get checked.
DHL has ways of getting their packages quickly through customs.
You may find that your package arrives faster with DHL than it does with other carriers.
This makes the company reliable because they’re able to consistently deliver international packages fast.
The fact that they’re international carriers likely has to do with their speed.
They don’t have to worry about coordinating with a third party.
They handle everything themselves.
DHL is reliable because of its fast, international, shipping.
9. Can Call And Inform You Of Impending Delivery
Another thing that makes DHL reliable is the fact that they’ll call you to tell you of impending deliveries.
While this isn’t a service that you automatically get, it is something that you can request.
The driver can contact you and inform you when they’re on their way.
That then allows you to relay any important information to the driver.
For example, you might need to tell them to put the package at the back of the house rather than the front.
Since DHL allows you to actually speak with the driver, you’re able to get a better delivery service.
This also makes them more reliable because you have a hand in the type of service that you get.
It provides you with an opportunity to get a custom delivery service.
10. Reimburses Damaged Packages
A final reason DHL is reliable is that they offer reimbursement for delivery packages.
This isn’t just for recipients either.
If you own a business and use DHL for deliveries, if your packages arrive damaged, then they’ll reimburse you.
That helps you keep down potential costs that might bankrupt you if you’re a small business.
This makes DHL reliable because not every carrier protects sellers as much.
They may just expect sellers to reimburse the recipient.
There’s less risk involved when you use DHL to deliver your packages to your buyers.
DHL is reliable because they’ll reimburse business owners if the package arrives damaged.
Conclusion
DHL is an international carrier that has centuries of experience behind it.
Its services, reimbursements, and savings make working with DHL a reliable and enjoyable experience.