Cutting Shipping Costs: The Guide to Comparing DHL, DPD, GLS, Hermes & FedEx

Shipping costs are one of the largest ongoing cost blocks in online retail, yet they're still rarely compared systematically. A close look pays off, especially as order volume grows.

Why a Single Carrier Is Rarely Optimal

No shipping carrier is equally strong for every shipment type and every region. DHL often scores well on delivery coverage, DPD and GLS often on mid-range parcel prices, Hermes on standard B2C shipping, FedEx especially on international and express shipments. Sellers who commit to a single provider often pay more than necessary in certain segments.

What to Look at When Comparing

• Base price per weight class: what matters is the entire price tier structure, not just the entry price.
• Surcharges: bulky goods, overweight, cash on delivery or international shipping can noticeably change the final price.
• Transit times play a decisive role, especially for international shipping or express needs.
• Return costs: who covers them, and how easy is handling for the customer?
• Contract terms: minimum volumes or contract durations can limit flexibility.

Automation as an Additional Cost Lever

Beyond a pure rate comparison, process automation also saves real money: if a label is created manually for every order, that costs time, and with high order volume that time becomes a real cost factor. An inventory system with a direct connection to multiple carriers creates labels automatically based on weight, destination country and stored rules, and can even automatically pick the cheapest suitable carrier per shipment.

Combining Multiple Carriers

A common approach: use your main carrier for most shipments, but bring in a second provider selectively for special cases, such as bulky goods, international shipments, or regions with better coverage from a different carrier. This requires a system that cleanly manages several carrier connections at once.

Conclusion

Sellers who want to sustainably cut shipping costs are best served by the right combination of rate comparison, targeted carrier choice per shipment type and automated label creation, rather than a single contract switch. Especially the latter becomes a noticeable time and cost factor as order volume grows.