DHL links with post office on service

Executives of DHL Express and Thailand Post express their confidence on the prospects for the logistics partnership announced yesterday.
 Operated by DHL Express, Thailand Post customers using the Courier Post service will “enjoy a premium delivery experience within two to four days”, with access to a global network in over 220 countries and territories, customs clearance expertise at the destination country and an On Demand Delivery (ODD) service, the company said.
With cross border e-commerce sales expected to grow to US$900 billion by 2020, DHL said: “This logistics partnership reflects DHL's strong commitment to support local entrepreneurs looking to go global. The partnership helps facilitate the significant growth potential of e-commerce sellers in Thailand, in addition to the current cross-border delivery services provided by Thailand Post.”
Shipments sent through Courier Post will be handled by DHL, with its global service standards, and with ODD, receivers can select delivery options that meet their needs.
“For instance, receivers can re-schedule their own delivery or change pick-up address,” DHL said. According to the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA), Thailand's e-commerce market in 2016 reached Bt2.56 trillion, while cross-border e-commerce market share was recorded at 13.47 per cent and growing by 25 per cent each year.
 DHL said the country's total e-commerce market value is expected to reach Bt3 trillion in 2018. These trends show the opportunities in international trade for business startups in Thailand and local online merchants with high basket values, it said.
“Cross-border e-commerce is transforming the way in which SMEs and online merchants operate their businesses. We constantly reinvent our service to meet the needs of our customers,” said Smorn Terdthumpiboon, president of Thailand Post.
“With this official partnership with DHL Express Thailand, Courier Post provides e-commerce sellers a premium delivery service, with faster transit time as compared to the traditional postal service– within two to four days and responsive last mile solutions. This collaborative unique service will bring long-term customer loyalty.”
 Chananyarak Phetcharat, managing director of DHL Express Thailand, said: “To align with the government's policy for Thailand 4.0 and drive international competitiveness for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and e-commerce merchants, we've partnered with Thailand Post and initiated Courier Post to facilitate international trade and enable e-commerce merchants to reach their full growth potential.”
Courier Post is available at 171 Thailand Post outlets in Bangkok and vicinities, for documents and packages to 25 countries of destination.
 The service is expected to start in the third quarter of this year.