DHL, the world's leading global express delivery and logistics company, today launched a major strategic initiative focused on DHL Import Express, a unique, all-inclusive, door-to-door service for expediting imports to the United States and between third countries. Import Express enables customers to send or receive documents and packages of any size, weight or value to and from over 210 countries - packaged in one simple solution using just one company, one currency and one invoice.

"Import Express represents a key business initiative to serve our U.S. customers with the most comprehensive international capabilities," said John Mullen, Joint Chief Executive for DHL Express. "DHL understands that, whether you are a multinational or a small business, importing goods can be a complicated process that may result in costly delays. Import Express allows customers of any size to have their importing needs managed by a single source all the way through the shipping process."

Market demand is driving the need for more efficient handling of imported goods. U.S. imports are presently valued at $1.5 trillion annually. In addition to being China?s largest trading partner, U.S. imports from South and Central America and the European Union were at record highs in March, and imports from Japan and Mexico were the highest since 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Using Import Express, customers can - with one phone call - move goods from China to the U.S., or from London to Hong Kong (known as the "third country" option), for example, and pay for delivery in the U.S. on one invoice and in one currency. Shipments stay within the DHL system from origin to destination allowing for easy tracking, anytime.

To utilize Import Express, customers need only to establish an Import Express account number, which provides all routing order instructions. DHL is the exclusive partner for each Import Express shipment and takes complete responsibility from pickup to delivery, all for one pre-quoted transportation charge. Once the shipment is underway, easy track and trace is available from pickup through final delivery. For billing purposes, the customer receives one invoice per billing cycle in the customer's currency allowing them to easily budget for and audit all import shipments.

"The import market in the U.S. is not only immense but also, at times, can be a source of great frustration among companies who regularly import high-value product samples and parts," said John Pearson, Executive Vice President for DHL's Commercial organization. "Those who previously have been frustrated by the involvement of multiple carriers and difficulties in tracking their shipments will truly appreciate the convenience and speed of Import Express. Import Express was designed as the one-source solution for this prevalent need."

Industries that DHL is targeting include manufacturing, automotive, textile, electronics, pharmaceutical, aerospace and financial services.

DHL Launches Import Express Campaign
DHL is supporting the Import Express program with a 360 degree marketing campaign involving direct marketing, print and online advertising, internal and external microsites and more. The tone of the advertising is consistent with that of DHL's highly successful brand campaign - friendly, responsive, fun and customer-oriented. Phase I of the direct mail campaign in mid-June features the headline, "Cross Borders, Not Fingers" highlighting the reliability of Import Express. The direct response print campaign, which will break in July, features advertisements in industry-specific and general business publications as well as select newspapers.

DHL Offers New Levels of Connectivity between China and the U.S.
The launch of Import Express is another example of DHL's continued commitment to leading the international express delivery and logistics industry. The company recently introduced two new direct overnight express services between Shanghai and the U.S. and between Beijing and Hong Kong. The daily Shanghai-U.S. flight will be operated by Northwest Airlines with a Boeing 747-200 freighter aircraft, while the four times weekly Beijing service will utilize a Cathay Pacific A330-200 passenger aircraft from DHL's Central Asia hub in Hong Kong. These new flights underscore DHL's commitment to provide the most extensive air network possible for customers in the China market.

More aircraft serving the Asia Pacific Market
DHL has invested $400 million in a joint venture with Cathay Pacific and Air Hong Kong (DHL owns a 40 per cent stake in the joint venture). Air Hong Kong is purchasing eight new A300-600F freighters, thus increasing DHL's payload capacity in the region.

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