Returns and Reverse Logistics Solutions
We are here to help you streamline your business operations with our tailored returns and reverse logistics solutions
Reverse logistics is the process of moving goods from their final destination back to the merchant or designated location for the purpose of return, repair, replacement, resale or recycling. This process is essential for optimizing your operations and boosting customer satisfaction.
At DHL, we offer both standard returns management and advanced reverse logistics solutions tailored to the unique needs of businesses. Our comprehensive offerings are designed for businesses of various sizes and industries. We focus on addressing the challenges that arise within the returns and reverse logistics process. With our extensive experience and commitment as a trusted partner, we are equipped to help you navigate these complexities.
Explore the four key challenges businesses face and discover how our tailored solutions can help you overcome them.
Standard Solutions
Our standard solutions focus on returns shipping and management, offering simplified and flexible return options. With comprehensive tracking for you and your customers, we ensure an efficient and user-friendly experience throughout the returns process.
Parcel Return Connect
Our Parcel Return Connect solution provides a seamless cross-border returns experience across Europe. With a single pre-printed return label or QR code, we simplify the returns process for you and your customers. With over 140,000 drop-off locations across Europe and comprehensive tracking, you can enhance customer satisfaction while efficiently managing returns.
DHL Service Options
- Return Labels: Generate easy-to-use return labels for customers, available as pre-printed or label-less via QR codes, harmonized across all EU countries
- Drop-off Locations: Enjoy access to over 110,000 service drop off points and 30,000 parcel lockers throughout Europe for added convenience
- Integration: Our eConnect platform streamlines all your shipping needs, including returns, in one convenient place
- Tracking: Benefit from full track and trace capabilities, providing real-time visibility for your and your customers
- Parcel Standards: We offer generous weight and dimension limits of up to 31.5kg and 120 x 60 x 60cm, which are the same as those for Parcel Connect deliveries, and we also provide €500 transport insurance for your goods within our network
- Transit Times: Experience quick turnaround times, with 80% of all parcels shipped back in just 3-5 days
Business Profiles and Coverage
- Business Size: Suitable for small, medium or large businesses
- Business Type: Ideal for e-commerce and retail sectors
- Sector: Perfect for industries with frequent returns, including retail, fashion, electronics and consumer goods
- Coverage: Available internationally, covering cross-border returns within 27 European countries
Advanced Solutions
DHL's advanced returns management offerings encompass various elements of the returns lifecycle, including returns, repairs, replacements, reselling and recycling. This allows businesses to maximize value and efficiency throughout the process.
Service Logistics
We offer comprehensive Service Logistics solutions that support your business by managing the entire lifecycle of products, from product returns to repair and refurbishment and spare parts management. Our tailored services help your operations run smoothly, enhancing customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.
DHL Service Options
- Repair & Refurbishment: Streamlined processes for repairing and refurbishing products, extending their lifecycle and improving sustainability
- Spare Parts Management: Efficient management of spare parts inventory, ensuring timely availability and reducing downtime for your operations
- Returns Management: Effective handling of returns, including inspection, repair, and restocking to maximize value recovery from returned products
- Integrated IT Solutions: Advanced technology systems that provide visibility and control throughout the service logistics process, improving decision-making and efficiency
- Field Service Management: Comprehensive support for on-site service delivery, optimizing resource allocation and enhancing service quality
Business Profiles and Coverage
- Business Size: Suitable for small, medium or large businesses
- Business Type: Ideal for manufacturers, distributors, and service providers
- Sector: Targeting industries requiring efficient service logistics, such as automotive and retail
- Coverage: Available internationally, supporting businesses across various regions and markets
DHL Fulfillment Network
We provide tailored reverse logistics services specifically for e-commerce businesses. By simplifying the returns process and improving inventory management, we help businesses efficiently handle returns while maximizing value recovery. Focusing on customer satisfaction, we support businesses in navigating the complexities of reverse logistics globally.
DHL Service Options
- Streamlined Returns Process: We simplify returns with easy label generation and multiple drop-off options for customers
- Inventory Management: We ensure swift processing of returned products, helping maintain accurate stock levels and reduce excess
- Value Recovery: Our network maximizes recovery from returns through effective refurbishing, reselling or recycling items
- Data-Driven Insights: We use analytics to identify return trends, enabling informed decisions that reduce return rates
- Global Reach: Our extensive network supports effective returns management for international e-commerce operations across regions
Business Profiles and Coverage
- Business Size: Suitable for medium or large businesses
- Business Type: Ideal for e-commerce
- Sector: Targeting industries with frequent returns, including retail, fashion, electronics and consumer goods
- Coverage: Available internationally, supporting businesses across various regions and markets
Contact Our Experts
Get in touch with our knowledgeable experts for insights on our standard and advanced solutions. Let us show you how DHL can support your business and help you achieve your goals.
Additional DHL Expertise
Beyond our core returns management and reverse logistics solutions, we offer valuable expertise in other areas that can further support your business. Let us help you explore these additional resources to enhance your operations.
Sustainability
At DHL, we are committed to sustainability through our comprehensive portfolio, designed to help businesses reduce their environmental impact while optimizing logistics operations.
We provide solutions such as eco-friendly packaging, carbon-neutral shipping options, and responsible disposal methods for returned goods. By integrating these sustainable practices into your returns process, you can enhance your brand's reputation and meet the growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible practices. To learn more, explore our full range of sustainable offerings.
Our Expertise
Customs
Effective customs management is essential for ensuring compliance with local and international regulations, helping businesses avoid costly delays, fines, and potential legal issues.
At DHL, we offer a range of customs services tailored for business customers, ensuring efficient cross-border trade. Our offerings include:
- Customs Brokerage: We provide expert assistance in navigating complex regulations and documentation
- Tariff Classification: Our team ensures accurate classification of goods for compliance and optimal duty rates
- Duty Optimization: We develop strategies to minimize customs duties and taxes
- Real-Time Tracking: Enjoy enhanced visibility of shipments throughout the customs process
- Local Expertise: Benefit from our knowledge of regional regulations to facilitate smoother clearance
Software Partner Solutions
DHL's collaboration with software partners enhances returns management for retailers by delivering valuable consumer and logistics insights. Retailers, both domestic and internationally, can seamlessly integrate with our software partners, to provide a merchant-branded returns experience.
Whether you use a Webshop platform, an order management solution or shipping software, we partner with a variety of technology providers to ensure DHL integrates smoothly into your existing digital environment seamlessly. With numerous platforms available and our service offerings varying by country, the most efficient way to explore DHL integrations is through your platform's marketplace or app store. Just search for DHL on that marketplace.
Find the Right Partner
Sustainability
At DHL, we are committed to sustainability through our comprehensive portfolio, designed to help businesses reduce their environmental impact while optimizing logistics operations.
We provide solutions such as eco-friendly packaging, carbon-neutral shipping options, and responsible disposal methods for returned goods. By integrating these sustainable practices into your returns process, you can enhance your brand's reputation and meet the growing consumer demand for environmentally responsible practices. To learn more, explore our full range of sustainable offerings.
Our Expertise
Customs
Effective customs management is essential for ensuring compliance with local and international regulations, helping businesses avoid costly delays, fines, and potential legal issues.
At DHL, we offer a range of customs services tailored for business customers, ensuring efficient cross-border trade. Our offerings include:
- Customs Brokerage: We provide expert assistance in navigating complex regulations and documentation
- Tariff Classification: Our team ensures accurate classification of goods for compliance and optimal duty rates
- Duty Optimization: We develop strategies to minimize customs duties and taxes
- Real-Time Tracking: Enjoy enhanced visibility of shipments throughout the customs process
- Local Expertise: Benefit from our knowledge of regional regulations to facilitate smoother clearance
Software Partner Solutions
DHL's collaboration with software partners enhances returns management for retailers by delivering valuable consumer and logistics insights. Retailers, both domestic and internationally, can seamlessly integrate with our software partners, to provide a merchant-branded returns experience.
Whether you use a Webshop platform, an order management solution or shipping software, we partner with a variety of technology providers to ensure DHL integrates smoothly into your existing digital environment seamlessly. With numerous platforms available and our service offerings varying by country, the most efficient way to explore DHL integrations is through your platform's marketplace or app store. Just search for DHL on that marketplace.
Find the Right Partner
DHL as your Trusted Partner
DHL is a reliable partner committed to helping businesses navigate the complexities of returns management. With our extensive expertise and tailored solutions, we empower companies to streamline their reverse logistics processes. Trust DHL to optimize your reverse logistics journey and drive your success. To assist your business further, here are 5 steps to finding the right reverse logistics partner.
Success Stories
Discover how we have transformed reverse logistics for businesses through real-life success stories and case studies. These examples showcase our commitment to efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reverse Logistics is the process of moving goods from their final destination back to the manufacturer or distributor. It includes several stages; returns, repairs, replacements, reselling and recycling. It is essential for businesses to recover value from returned products, enhance customer satisfaction, and support sustainability efforts. Effective reverse logistics can lead to cost savings, improved inventory management, and increased operational efficiency. To learn more, visit the full reverse logistics article here.
To select the right reverse logistics solution for your business, start by assessing your specific needs and objectives, including returns volume and challenges. Evaluate the service offerings provided along with their coverage & scope. We recommend connecting with an expert to discuss your business challenges and develop a tailored approach that meets your unique requirements.
Partnering with a reverse logistics service provider like DHL can greatly benefit your business by streamlining the returns process, enhancing customer satisfaction, and improving operational efficiency. We offer comprehensive solutions ranging from standard to advanced, and our global reach ensures that your returns management is effective across various markets.
DHL has numerous examples of how we support businesses with reverse logistics solutions. These include streamlining returns processes, providing real-time tracking, enhancing inventory management, implementing sustainability initiatives, and offering industry-specific solutions along with data-driven insights. To learn more, please refer to our success stories.
Yes, DHL offers valuable consumer insights into returns management in the 2025 Delivery and Returns Report. This comprehensive resource provides insights into the evolving landscape of e-commerce logistics, serving as a valuable tool for businesses looking to enhance their delivery and returns strategies amid growing e-commerce demands. You can access the 2025 report here.
5-Steps to find the right Reverse Logistics Partner
Devine your needs and objectives
Identify your specific reverse logistics requirements and establish clear goals such as cost optimization or stremlining and automation.
Research and evaluation
Seek partners with proven industry experience and a solid reputation. Assess their service offerings and technological capabilities.
Get in touch
Connect with your shortlisted partners to discuss your needs and explore their solutions in detail.
Check references
Review references and businesses feedback to gain insights into their performance and reliability.
Negotiate terms and pilot partnership
Finalize contract terms, including responsibilities and pricing. Consider initiating a pilot project to evaluate their effectiveness.