Global Trade

How small businesses can go global with DHL

For many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the first international order brings equal parts excitement and panic. Customs forms, duties, delivery times – suddenly the world feels complicated. Here’s how one South African SME went global with DHL by its side.

Your brand knows no borders. Your logistics shouldn't either.

Running a small business means doing everything yourself. One moment you’re designing a product. The next, you’re answering customer emails. And when someone from another country clicks “buy,” you quickly realize that selling abroad is more than printing a shipping label. What documents are required? How long will delivery take? What happens at customs? Who will handle the returns? These are the questions that stop many small businesses from expanding beyond their home market.

Clarity beats guesswork in global trade

The challenge isn’t demand. It’s complexity. Cross-border trade comes with rules, documentation, and processes that can feel overwhelming without guidance.

That’s where support makes the difference.

We visited Sari for Change in Johannesburg to see how they navigated this step with DHL Express. Through the GoTrade program, the team received practical guidance on customs procedures, documentation requirements, and international shipping. What once felt risky became structured and manageable.

Watch the video below to see their journey firsthand.

Sari for Change upcycles heirloom saris – traditional garments from the Indian subcontinent – into contemporary fashion pieces. At the same time, the company runs a three-tier training program that creates paid learning opportunities for women in their community. What began as a local circular fashion idea is now reaching customers beyond South Africa’s borders.