New DHL ship methods available for Buy Shipping effective May 9, 2022
Effective May 9 2022 Amazon’s Merchant Fulfillment API adds DHL Express, DHL eCommerce and DHL Parcel for all EU marketplaces. Sellers receive these options by sending the header x‑amz‑api‑version: 2022‑05‑09 in GetShippingServices and can purchase them via CreateShipment.
Overview
Starting May 9 2022, Amazon’s Merchant Fulfillment API now supports DHL shipping services for sellers on all European Amazon sites. The addition gives merchants a broader carrier palette—including DHL Express, DHL eCommerce and DHL Parcel—within the “Buy Shipping” flow, helping them meet Prime delivery standards and stay competitive.
Key Points
- EU‑wide availability — DHL options are now listed for every Amazon European marketplace, such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom.
- Three service tiers — Sellers can pick DHL Express for 1‑2 day delivery, DHL eCommerce for a typical 3‑7 day window, or DHL Parcel for economy shipments, all through the same API call.
- Version‑specific endpoint — The new DHL methods appear only when the request header specifies API version 2022‑05‑09 or a later date.
- Prime‑eligible tier — DHL Express meets the two‑day guarantee required for Seller‑Fulfilled Prime when the seller’s transit estimates align with Amazon’s criteria.
- Developer integration — Merchants should coordinate with their technical partners to translate DHL service codes, pricing structures and label formats into existing fulfillment logic.
- Transparent pricing — DHL rates are returned side‑by‑side with other carriers, allowing sellers to compare cost, speed and tracking features before committing to a service.
How the New DHL Options Work
- Add the correct API version header — Insert
x-amz-api-version: 2022-05-09(or newer) into theGetShippingServicesrequest. For example, a seller based in Berlin will now receive a DHL Express entry (DHL_EXPRESS) alongside UPS and Hermes. - Fetch detailed DHL service data — The response enumerates each DHL tier, showing base price, estimated transit time and any packaging limits. A 2 kg shipment from Berlin to Paris might be quoted €12.50 for DHL Express with a one‑day estimate.
- Choose a DHL method when creating the shipment — In the call, supply the desired DHL service code and optional extras like signature‑on‑delivery. Amazon validates the selection against the seller’s account settings and the destination country.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
The new DHL tiers let EU sellers offer faster two‑day Prime‑eligible shipping (DHL Express) and lower‑cost economy options, directly influencing delivery speed and cost competitiveness. Specific price examples show DHL Express at €12.50 for a 2 kg Berlin‑Paris shipment and €9.80 for a 1 kg UK‑Ireland parcel, potentially undercutting existing carriers.
Key Takeaways
- DHL services (DHL_EXPRESS, DHL_ECOMMERCE, DHL_PARCEL) are available on every European Amazon marketplace as of 2022‑05‑09.
- Including header x‑amz‑api‑version: 2022‑05‑09 in GetShippingServices returns DHL options alongside UPS and Hermes.
- DHL Express meets the two‑day guarantee required for Seller‑Fulfilled Prime when transit estimates align with Amazon criteria.
- Sample rates: €12.50 for a 2 kg Berlin‑to‑Paris DHL Express shipment; €9.80 for a 1 kg UK‑to‑Ireland DHL Express shipment.
Recommended Actions
- →Update integration code to add x‑amz‑api‑version: 2022‑05‑09 to GetShippingServices requests and map DHL service codes.
- →In Seller Central, navigate to Settings > Shipping Settings and add DHL Express as a Prime‑eligible carrier.
- →Use the SP‑API sandbox to create a test DHL eCommerce shipment (e.g., Madrid to Warsaw) and verify label generation and tracking callbacks.
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