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European postal services stop sending parcels to the US as Washington ends $800 duty-free rule

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Postal services across Europe have temporarily stopped accepting many parcels bound for the United States, citing uncertainty over new US customs rules that abolish the long-standing duty-free threshold for low-value imports. 

The suspension comes ahead of 29 August, when an executive order signed by President Donald Trump takes effect, ending the de minimis exemption that allowed goods worth up to $800 to enter the US duty-free. From Friday, almost all commercial parcels will require full customs clearance, duties and additional data.

DHL Parcel Germany was among the first to announce a halt, telling business customers it would no longer accept US-bound postal parcels from 22 August. Gifts valued up to $100 and letters remain unaffected, while DHL Express, the company’s courier arm, continues to operate with its own customs channels. [Read more…] about European postal services stop sending parcels to the US as Washington ends $800 duty-free rule

Volvo begins autonomous truck operations for DHL in Texas

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Volvo Autonomous Solutions (VAS) and DHL Supply Chain have taken a significant step towards transforming freight transportation with the launch of autonomous operations in the United States.

The operations will be enabled by the purpose-built, production-ready Volvo VNL Autonomous which is powered by the Aurora Driver. The start of operations marks a critical phase in validating the full ecosystem required for autonomous transport at scale.

At this stage, a safety driver will be present to monitor performance and ensure seamless integration into existing logistic networks. Freight will initially be hauled on two lanes, Dallas to Houston and Fort Worth to El Paso. [Read more…] about Volvo begins autonomous truck operations for DHL in Texas

Opinion: Enhancing employee experience with robotics and automation at DHL

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By Sally Miller, global CIO, DHL Supply Chain

As the deployment of robotics and automated solutions accelerates, we are seeing supply chain and logistics operations transform.

Over time, initial concerns that robotics would replace the human workforce have gradually given way to a deeper understanding of how these technologies complement and enhance human roles.

The integration of robotics and automation into supply chains is proving to be a powerful tool which works alongside employees to drive efficiency while reducing manual strain and creating new career development opportunities.

[Read more…] about Opinion: Enhancing employee experience with robotics and automation at DHL

DHL picks record 500 million items using Locus robots

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DHL Supply, the contract logistics division of DHL, says it has reached the milestone of 500 million picks accomplished using Locus Robotics’ LocusBot autonomous mobile robots.

This achievement underscores the transformative impact of Locus’ AMR technology on productivity and operational efficiency at an unprecedented scale.

The historic 500 millionth pick occurred on May 18, 2024, at DHL’s Toledo, Spain facility, where a LocusBot retrieved a consumer home goods product. [Read more…] about DHL picks record 500 million items using Locus robots

DHL and AutoStore expand partnership to further automate global warehousing

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DHL Supply Chain, one of the world’s largest contract logistics companies, and AutoStore, a robotic technology company specializing in automated storage and retrieval systems, are expanding their partnership in a move set to further automated warehouse operations on global scale.

DHL Supply Chain, already involved in nine operational AutoStore warehouse projects with four more in the planning stage, is poised to become one of AutoStore’s largest 3PL clients, reinforcing their commitment to digitalization and automation.

The nine existing Systems effectively operate 800,000 bins, with the forthcoming four Systems elevating the total number of bins to a remarkable 1.2 million. In the future, DHL also intends to construct five further facilities in addition to those already in operation or planning. [Read more…] about DHL and AutoStore expand partnership to further automate global warehousing

Clevon celebrates delivery of ‘nearly 1,500 DHL Express packages’

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Clevon, an autonomous delivery innovator, says it has delivered almost 1,500 packages for DHL Express Estonia. The two companies began their partnership in the summer of 2022 and are moving towards expanding their collaboration.

The pilot project has gradually grown into an everyday service, and now Clevon’s Autonomous Robot Carrier (ARC) is a part of DHL Express Estonia’s vehicle fleet.

In the project’s first stage, the carrier transported DHL Express internal packages between three offices in the Capital of Estonia, Tallinn. Soon after, they moved on to serving business customers, and this year, private customers were also added. [Read more…] about Clevon celebrates delivery of ‘nearly 1,500 DHL Express packages’

DHL bolsters its US network with $74 million Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky investment

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DHL eCommerce, a division of the world’s biggest logistics company, DHL Group, has opened a fully-owned 307,000 square-foot distribution center in Hebron, KY, 10 minutes from the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG).

The company is combining three properties it leased in a business park in the CVG area into this larger, $74 million distribution center that will employ approximately 400 full and part-time employees.

The company has acquired a state-of-the-art Honeywell IntelliSort cross-belt loop sorter capable of processing up to 50,000 parcels and packages per hour. [Read more…] about DHL bolsters its US network with $74 million Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky investment

DHL to install 5,000 Locus warehouse robots across multiple sites

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DHL Supply Chain, the world’s largest logistics provider, says it will expand its partnership with Locus Robotics, a provider of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs).

The expansion will increase DHL’s use of Locus AMR robotics within its supply chain operations. As part of this new partnership, DHL Supply Chain will deploy 5,000 Locus Origin AMRs across its global network of warehouses and distribution centers, representing the industry’s largest AMR deal to date.

The expanded fleet of Locus AMRs will provide DHL Supply Chain with advanced automation technology to optimize its supply chain operations, and improve worker productivity, order accuracy, speed, and efficiency. [Read more…] about DHL to install 5,000 Locus warehouse robots across multiple sites

DHL opens its largest fully automated robotic fulfillment center in Germany

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DHL Supply Chain, the contract logistics specialist of Deutsche Post DHL Group, is now operating a fully-automated robot picking system at a logistics center in the Lower Saxon municipality of Staufenberg for an important long-time customer, Peek & Cloppenburg, an international chain of department stores from Germany.

The system, AutoStore, is made by robot specialist Element Logic and covers 6,000 square meters, making it one of the largest fully-automated storage and order fulfillment systems in Germany.

It’s located in one of the five halls at the location, each of which offers 10,000 square meters of space and 50 loading bays. DHL Supply Chain operates this massive logistics center for a range of customers. [Read more…] about DHL opens its largest fully automated robotic fulfillment center in Germany

DHL becomes first to install Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot to unload trucks

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DHL Supply Chain, the world’s biggest logistics company and part of Deutsche Post DHL Group, has become the first company to install Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot developed for carton unloading of trucks.

The successful deployment of the robot comes just one year after DHL Supply Chain announced its $15 million investment in robotics solutions from Boston Dynamics.

In the application, Stretch robots take packages from the back of trailers and place them on a flexible conveyor. [Read more…] about DHL becomes first to install Boston Dynamics’ Stretch robot to unload trucks