DHL supports Japanese online tailor-made clothing launch in Germany

DHL Global Forwarding’s Start-up Helpdesk in Berlin is currently supporting Japanese e-tailer Zozo with its market launch in Germany.

The firm sells its custom-fitted apparel in over 70 countries and consumers in Germany can now also use the Zozo app to have individualised t-shirts, shirts and trousers delivered to their home.

DHL’s tailored supply chain solution for Zozo includes transport by rail, air and ocean freight from China to Germany, customs clearance services, as well as the last mile delivery to customers via DHL Parcel and Deutsche Post.

For customers, it all begins with free delivery of the ultra-thin Zozosuit via DHL parcel for customers in Germany or Deutsche Post’s new international commodity mail service (Warenpost International) for European customers.

A tight-fitting black bodysuit featuring some 350 electronic measurement points, the Zozosuit combines with a special Zozo app to create a 3D-rendering of the body via the customer’s smartphone, which the firm then uses to produce perfectly fitting clothes.

Currently, Zozo produces its custom-made clothing in China. Deutsche Post DHL Group’s air and ocean freight specialist DHL Global Forwarding handles transport from production facilities in Wuxi, Lianyungang and Qingdao to Germany, along with customs clearance.

As part of its service, DHL applied for a deferment account so that Zozo can avoid paying import sales tax directly (19% of the merchandise value) and manage cash flow more effectively. Shipments are then delivered to Zozo’s customer warehouse in Ludwigsfelde, Germany.

Additional shipments originate in Shenzhen, where Zozo’s fulfilment partner packs and labels the DHL packages and bundles them for weekly air freight delivery to Frankfurt.

After clearing customs, these are then delivered by truck to DHL’s parcel centre in Obertshausen. From there, DHL Parcel takes over to handle domestic and international deliveries directly to end customers.

DHL’s solution also takes advantage of the Belt & Road Initiative. Late in 2018, DHL rail service brought the first containers from Nantong to Germany via the new Silk Road. With a transit time of approximately 20 days, the rail connection offers a good alternative to ocean freight – especially in terms of transition time.