Transit Time Improvements Enhance Speed of Yellow in 2012

• DHL Express offers same delivery times for documents and low-value shipments throughout the Americas region
• Enhanced night-time clearance in Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela provides deliveries in two business days
• New direct flight from Cincinnati hub to Panama and additional new flights within Latin America provides shipping one day faster

Plantation, Fla.: January 26, 2012 – DHL Express, the world’s leading international express shipping provider, is starting off the new year with several major service improvements that provide faster delivery, enabling businesses in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Latin America to compete better globally.

DHL Express now offers the same delivery times for low-value/de minimis packages and low-value dutiable shipments as it does for documents within the Americas. For example, transit time from Manhattan to Buenos Aires is the same for documents as for packages with a value of less than USD$1000.

These transit time improvements are the result of enhanced network operations and improved customs clearance procedures throughout the Americas. Recently introduced direct flights into Panama and Colombia have reduced transit times to these countries and throughout much of Central and South America by at least one day.

Additionally, the introduction of night-time clearance on inbound shipments of documents and small parcels from Europe to Brazil, Colombia and Argentina has reduced transit time from three to two business days – and is allowing DHL Express to exceed industry standards in these countries.

“International delivery is our expertise and these improvements mark our ongoing commitment to our global customers,” said Mike Parra, Senior Vice President and Head of Network Operations for DHL Express Americas. “Connecting our customers along these key trade routes with expedited flights will give businesses valuable access to the fast growing economies in Latin America.”  

The transit time improvements for documents and low-value packages are in effect throughout the Americas as of January 1, except in Brazil and French Guiana which will follow later this year.

Throughout the past year, DHL Express has worked to improve operational handling and customer service throughout the Americas. This region is a vital part of the DHL worldwide network which covers more than 220 countries. Among key achievements in the past year are:

• A direct flight connecting DHL hubs in Panama and Cincinnati, improving delivery times by one full day from any location in the United States, Mexico, Canada, Asia-Pacific and the Caribbean to and from Panama. The new flight provides a key advantage for many customers who use Panama as a center for logistics and a gateway to Latin America. Documents de minimis and low-value dutiable shipments from the United States to Panama are now delivered in one day, an industry first in fastest transit.

• The addition of three Boeing 777 freighters that expand capacity and boost transit times along key growing trade routes between the Americas, Asia and the Middle East. DHL signed an air service agreement with Southern Air Holdings, Inc. to operate the new 777 freighters, the most fuel-efficient aircraft of its kind.

• A new, dedicated Boeing 747-400F plane that connects the DHLCincinnati hub with the Bahrain and Hong Kong hubs, providing additional cargo capacity of 80 tons. The round-the-world flight provides next-day service from Hong Kong to the Americas and shortens delivery times for much of the Middle East.

• Two new flights within the Americas – between Paraguay and Argentina and between Guatemala and Belize -- expanding capacity and reducing transit times from the network to these countries by at least one day.

• A new operations center at the El Dorado International Airport in Bogotá, expediting import and export shipments inColombia.

• A new domestic gateway at Mariano Escobedo International Airport in Monterrey, Mexico, with the capacity to handle 2,000 shipments per hour and expediting deliveries in the northern part of the country.

“The improved transit times give new meaning to the ’Speed of Yellow.’ We’re continuously working with customs officials worldwide to improve clearance procedures as well as internally to improve our operations, processes and information systems to achieve best-in-class service for our customers,” said Stephen Fenwick, DHL Express Americas CEO.

For more information: www.dhl-usa.com.

– Ends –

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