News / DHL expands agreement with Shopify – where does that leave Flexport?

© Ilia Burdun

UPDATED 16.00 BSM 27.5.25 TO INCUDE DHL INPUT ON SERVICES AND FLEXPORT

DHL is continuing to spread its network through the world of ecommerce, announcing yesterday it was expanding its agreement with Shopify. 

While the partnership began in 2017, there is now “seamless” integration of DHL’s network into Shopify’s systems in Germany and the US, with the companies claiming cross-border ecommerce is simplified with an “easy-to-use” delivered duty-paid (DDP) option, which was not available under the previous agreement between the pair. 

DHL added that the integration would expand through key markets in Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific in 2025 and 2026, with the focus this year on “introducing these options to major markets in Europe”, said a spokesperson.

According to data released yesterday by Fabrikator, Shopify is biggest ecommerce platform in the US, where there are more than 2.4m “active Shopify stores”, or 44% of the larger stores, while its next largest markets are the UK (7%) Canada and Australia (each 5%), and Germany (3%). In terms of market share, compared with rivals such as WooCommerce, Wix Stores and Squarespace, Shopify has 28% of the share in the US, 21% in the UK, and 30% in Canada. 

The deal puts further question marks over Shopify’s relationship with Flexport, in which it has a 13% stake.  

Shopify has a commercial agreement with Flexport, and is expected to earn “a share of revenues for orders processed or otherwise sent through services provided by Shopify”, according to Loadstar Premium. However, in Q1 this year, Shopify booked “nil revenue” from the agreement. 

However, it also has a deal with Flexport to provide  “co-marketing services for the coordinated marketing of fulfilment-related products and services to current and prospective merchants”. 

But DHL told The Loadstar: “The enhanced DHL integration in the US focuses on providing international shipping services for Shopify merchants, enabling them to ship to destinations worldwide. Merchants can now effortlessly select their preferred shipping option for each order, create and pay for a label with just 2-3 clicks, ensuring a hassle-free experience. Flexport and Shopify have been collaborating on fulfilment, which is a different stage in the ecommerce value chain.”

DHL also noted that it had had to prepare carefully given the inconsistent trade strategies in the US.

“We expected shifts in tariff and trade policy that will impact US trade flows and prepared accordingly,” said a spokesperson. “Our main priority is to protect our core service commitment to customers and to minimize any disruption that arises from changes in tariff and trade policy, while remaining compliant with applicable customs rules and regulations.

“For example, we have ramped up support to enhance the formal processing capacity in the US for cross-border express shipments and we are maintaining close and intensive exchanges with customers to address their needs, providing up-to-date information on tariff developments and implications, while jointly finding operational solutions for any new requirements. ”

“As the world’s leading logistics company, DHL connects retailers with their end customers through an unrivalled network that spans 220 countries and territories,” said Katja Busch, its chief commercial officer.  

“Without the professional support of a reliable logistics partner, customs and tax issues can be challenging. Through the partnership between DHL and Shopify, merchants can easily draw on DHL’s expertise and use our products and services. Everything is geared towards enabling retailers to deliver smoothly to their customers at home and abroad.” 

Harley Finkelstein, Shopify president, added: “By integrating DHL as a partner, we are simplifying shipping on a single, powerful platform. We are breaking down hurdles and opening up the opportunity for retailers to be globally successful.” 

It is the second move further into ecommerce by DHL this month alone. Its UK ecommerce division will merge with courier Evri in the UK and add international capacity to the delivery company. 

Meanwhile, the easing of the US de minimis rules and tariffs has altered the transpacific air cargo market, with a “strong rebound” in traffic from China to the US, according to WorldACD, after two weeks of declines. Volumes are back to early April levels, while spot rates have stabilised to about $4 per kg.