More postal operators are using IPC’s INTERCONNECT network to ship cross-border parcels worldwide, with volumes now consistently at about five million items per month.
Building on the positive trend of the last months, the INTERCONNECT network is continuing to increase volumes by enlarging the network to more posts worldwide and introducing new functionalities to enhance collaboration with e-retailers, IPC said.
Volumes have consistently exceeded the 5m mark since May 2019 (with 5.1m in September): circa 4.2m in the tracked packets (Standard) service and circa 0.8m items in the tracked parcels services (Standard and Premium). The eligible volumes transferred to INTERCONNECT has increased from 38% in March 2019 to 50% in September 2019.
Through innovative postal solutions, streamlined processes, advance electronic data and high delivery reliability and quality, INTERCONNECT helps postal operators to meet ever-rising customer expectations for international purchases, IPC explained. Online shoppers expect clear information on charges before purchasing an item online, they look for a simple and reliable returns process and demand full visibility through track and trace.
The Brussels-based postal organisation will continue to develop INTERCONNECT, including using feedback and insights from its annual Cross-Border Online Shopper Survey, such as information about delivery charges before purchase, the possibility to select delivery location and fast customs clearance. These functionalities help to offer customers a similar experience when shopping online cross-border than when shopping online locally.
The 2019 edition of the IPC Cross-border Online Shopper Survey will be available in January 2020.
