DPD has introduced its FlexDelivery service featuring a day-definite option and delivery ‘time-window’ at a cross-border level for transportation between Germany, Netherlands, Belgium,
Luxemburg and Slovakia.Previously available only on a domestic level within Germany and other European countries, DPD’sinteractive delivery notification and time-window option is now also available for internationalshipments. The company said it is planning a step-by-step international expansion of the serviceresponding to the growth trend in international e-commerce.
The recipients of international shipments can now determine themselves the delivery day of theirshipments and the time-window during which the parcel should be delivered. DPD claimed this serviceon the international level is unique in the industry.
“Together with the cross-border distance trade, there is a growing need for convenient servicesfor shippers and recipients of international shipments,” DPD CEO Arnold Schroven explained. “Withthe international FlexDelivery, the shippers of cross-border packages can provide a unique offer totheir customers. DPD will gradually expand this unique feature to more countries in Europe.”
Customers using the service are notified via SMS or e-mail, depending on their preference, aboutthe delivery time of the parcel. This includes the possibility to postpone the announcedappointment via a standardised answer with DPD offering recipients at least three alternativedelivery days. On the morning of the delivery day, DPD informs the recipients about the time-windowduring which the parcel is due to arrive so they don’t have to wait for it the whole day. The timeperiod is between two and six hours.
“FlexDelivery satisfies recipients,” Schroven said. “Most of the recipients want their order tobe delivered to their homes. And if they can choose when the product is due to arrive they will beat home during this time.”
Through this communication with recipients, DPD can considerably reduce the number of faileddelivery attempts to private households which saves time on delivery routes, unnecessary journeysand CO2 emissions. “In addition, the international offer fits perfectly with the EU’s objective tofurther promote international e-commerce,” Schroven concluded.
