New feature for DHL customers: "Rail Transport" service now available - But not everyone can use it

Created: 05/17/2022Updated: 05/17/2022 05:41

By: Stella Henrich

DHL customers get a new shipping option.

For the sake of the environment, the parcels now also come by train.

The prerequisite for this is that there is a connection between the two places.

Munich – DHL customers can now decide whether to send parcels by train or by truck.

"Rail transport" can now be selected free of charge in the Post & DHL app, provided there is a suitable train connection between the location of the sender and that of the recipient.

According to the service provider, it takes at most one day longer for the package to arrive at the desired destination.

In return, it will be transported in a more environmentally friendly manner.

In concrete terms, this means that parcels are mostly transported by rail instead of by road.

According to DHL, this means that on average more than 30 percent of the emissions from the shipment can be saved compared to transport with a conventional truck.

DHL customers: Service is currently only available online

However, the "rail transport" option is only available if there is a rail connection from DHL and DB Cargo between the sender and recipient.

According to the company, this is only the case if the origin and destination are not far from the stations of the available rail connections.

This service is currently only available online and cannot be booked in the branches.

Rail transport is also only offered for German domestic DHL parcels and DHL parcels in size M.

The service cannot be booked for small parcels, as these are transported in the letter network.

If the rail transport service is available, customers can add it using the plus button.

(Iconic image) © DHL website

• This is how DHL's new rail transport works

• The new service can be used for parcels and parcels of size M within Germany at no extra charge.

  After both the sender and the recipient address have been entered, in the next step of online franking consumers have the option of selecting shipment by rail.

  If the route between the sender and recipient is served via the train connections available for Deutsche Post DHL, you will automatically see the new booking option for national parcels and Päckchen M in DHL online franking and the Post & DHL app.

  Simply choose for free.

  As a result, the shipment can be on the road for a day longer.

  Booking is currently only possible online in the DHL app.

DHL had already made an innovation with the letter announcement in the app in January, which should have pleased many users.

However, many were not happy about them

this nasty message from a parcel carrier to a customer.

This

angered some on Twitter.

The company had to clarify the case.