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DHL Gears Up for Peak Season Amid Global Trade Volatility

Press Release: September 23, 2025, Plantation, FL

As global trade continues to experience a rapid transformation, DHL is preparing for a 2025 peak season shaped by shifting tariffs, evolving consumer behavior, and new sourcing strategies across its U.S. operations. With volumes fluctuating and customer expectations evolving, DHL’s four business units, DHL Express, DHL eCommerce, DHL Global Forwarding, and DHL Supply Chain, are deploying strategic approaches to ensure resilience, visibility, and speed for shippers and retailers nationwide.

“We’re in what I call the golden age of uncertainty,” said Tim Robertson, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding Americas. “This isn’t about managing one disruption; it’s about staying agile in the face of ongoing volatility. Our customers need multimodal flexibility, real-time visibility, and customs support that keeps pace with shifting trade rules. That’s why our peak season strategy is built on resilience, speed, and the ability to pivot, across modes, borders, and sourcing markets.”

DHL Express has seen significant shifts in trade lanes, with volumes from China and Hong Kong dropping by about 30% year-over-year, but also with growth from countries like Vietnam, India, Malaysia, and Mexico. In response, the company expanded its customs team and added over 680 new staff across operations, finance, and customer service to maintain service levels and compliance.

“Customs clearance excellence is a differentiator in a complex and uncertain environment. Our investment in expertise, in customs clearance and customer education ensures we can bring comfort and certainty to our customers. This will help them, and us, be successful through peak said Greg Hewitt, CEO of DHL Express U.S. “Despite the challenges, our network remains agile, and we’re ready to flex quickly if demand surges during peak.”

DHL eCommerce, which operates 19 distribution centers across the U.S., is seeing a shift toward localized fulfillment and larger package volumes. The division plans to hire 2,000 seasonal employees and has partnered with Shopify to support international small merchants.

“Our customers are monitoring global developments, and we are agile enough to assist them in adapting their shipping strategies,” said Scott Ashbaugh, CEO of DHL eCommerce Americas. “We’re expanding in the larger package segment and simplifying cross-border shipping for online merchants. A great experience doesn’t have to cost a lot, and we’re proving that every day.”

Meanwhile, DHL Supply Chain is leveraging its recent acquisition of IDS Fulfillment and Inmar Supply Chain Solutions to support domestic fulfillment and nearshoring strategies. With flexible warehouse space and automation investments, the division is helping retailers adapt to tariff-driven cost pressures and shifting consumer behavior.

“We’re entering peak season with a clear focus: helping our customers turn complexity into competitive advantage,” said Mark Kunar, CEO of DHL Supply Chain North America. “As agility and visibility become the new currency of supply chain success, we’re building multi-node networks and scalable solutions that bring products closer to consumers and reduce exposure to cross-border volatility.”

The CEO’s top expectations for the year’s peak season are:

  • Strategic Response to Tariff and Trade Shifts
    • DHL Express reported a 30% drop in China-origin volumes year-over-year, driven by new tariffs and the end of the de minimis exemption.
    • DHL Global Forwarding noted a +20% to +35% surge in volumes from Asia to Latin America and MENAT, signaling a major shift in global sourcing and distribution strategies.
    • DHL Supply Chain is seeing increased demand for nearshoring and regional fulfillment, supported by its acquisition of IDS Fulfillment
       
  • Resilience Through Investment and Innovation
    • DHL Express added 680 new staff to support customs clearance and customer service, maintaining service levels despite regulatory complexity.
    • DHL Global Forwarding will expand its customs processing capacity by 40%, hiring 200+ specialists and launching AI-powered Trade Connect for smarter tariff planning.
    • DHL eCommerce is adding 2,000 seasonal employees to ensure a smooth holiday season, and through a partnership with Shopify, has enabled economical Export services for small and medium sized business.
       
  • Flexibility Over Forecasting
    • DHL Express anticipates a more measured peak season, with demand concentrated in key segments and a focus on agility.
    • DHL Global Forwarding is managing “multiple mini-peaks” driven by tech launches, e- commerce surges, and tariff deadlines.
    • DHL Supply Chain is leveraging multi-node networks, automation, and analytics to help customers scale and adapt quickly.

Across all divisions, DHL is seeing increased demand for advisory services, digital tools, and multimodal logistics solutions. The company’s unified message: trade may be shifting, but DHL’s commitment to enabling global commerce remains steadfast.