DHL Express Russia: export orders from Russian online retailers skyrocketed by over 300% in 2020

DHL Express, the world leader in logistics and express delivery, announced performance results for Russian e-commerce business in 2020. The number of online orders shipped abroad increased more than threefold. The growth accelerated throughout 2020 starting from 50% in Q1 and peaking at over 300% at the end of the year. In December the number of international shipments by Russian e-retailers hit an all-time record.

The top destinations for export in 2020 were the USA, Israel, the UK, Latvia, Germany, Canada, France and Australia. Among the product categories Fashion and Beauty, Home Furnishings, Leisure and Sporting Goods including sportswear and footwear ranked top.

The number of active e-commerce exporters opting for DHL Express services grew threefold in 2020. It comprises Russian e-retailers who used to sell on the domestic market only as well as those who never offered express delivery to their customers. 

“Despite the pandemic we kept on paying considerable attention to promoting our customers’ business and pressing ahead with full-scope educational programs for Russian entrepreneurs focused on online export”, says Anna Klinskova, Vice-President Sales and Marketing, DHL Express Russia.  “Our experts held over a dozen webinars for entrepreneurs from Kaliningrad to Vladivostok, ran hundreds of website health checks for e-stores and business profiles in social media as well as offered guidelines to help propel export sales to the next level”.

In 2020 DHL Express launched a service which is new to the Russian market – it allows online exporters to pay customs duties and taxes in the destination country for the shopper. Integrating this option by the e-store ensures that the shopper doesn’t face any costs in the destination country and helps to significantly increase the rate of converting traffic on the website into orders.

In 2021 due to VAT de minimis removal in EU countries the service will be particularly relevant and will enable Russian online stores to stay competitive as well as perfect their offer for international shoppers.

“We will proceed with raising awareness among Russian entrepreneurs of regulatory changes that affect import to private individuals in the EU countries and the UK. We are channeling our efforts into helping our customers to adapt to changes on these markets and to go on successfully penetrating them along with DHL Express”, says Anna Klinskova, Vice-President Sales and Marketing, DHL Express Russia.