DHL service projects “landed costs”

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. (Jan. 5, 2000) — DHL Airways, the U.S. arm of international air express courier DHL Worldwide Express, plans to introduce a service that will enable shippers to determine, in advance of shipping internationally, additive charges imposed by foreign customs authorities.

Aimed at companies involved with Internet-based commerce, the “landed cost engine” can tally 23 different government-imposed costs, which vary widely from country-to-country. In some cases, these government-imposed costs can drive up the price of a $27 US order of compact discs an extra $168, DHL said.

“Until now, there has never been a way for shippers to know the exact costs of the government-imposed duties, tariffs and other ‘landed costs’ associated with direct international shipments, before the shipment is sent,” said Vic Guinasso, president and CEO of DHL Airways,
Inc. “Many companies, especially those in the Internet space, have found the inability to quote those costs up-front precludes them from entering international markets.”

DHL said the service can project added costs in real time.

Initially, DHL will offer the service from the U.S. to Australia, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Italy, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.