DHL Delivery (Legacy) - DHL Shipping Integration
DHL Express integration with SOAP API for international shipping
The DHL Delivery module integrates with DHL Express services, enabling automatic shipping rate calculation from DHL API, shipment creation and label printing, package tracking via tracking code, return label generation for customers, and customs declaration for exports.
This is the DHL Legacy version using SOAP API. DHL also has a newer REST API version in the delivery_dhl_rest module.
Key Features
Key points
• Automatic shipping rate calculation from DHL API based on weight and address
• Create shipments and print labels in multiple formats (PDF, EPL2, ZPL2)
• Track packages via tracking number with direct DHL link
• Generate return labels automatically or manually
• Automatic customs declaration for exports
• Support multiple DHL products (Express Worldwide, Express 9:00, Express 12:00, Domestic Express)
• Handle multiple label formats for different printers
• Cancel shipments when needed
User Groups
User Permissions
| Group | Main Role |
|---|---|
| Sales Staff | Calculate shipping rates on quotes/orders |
| Warehouse Staff | Create shipments, print labels, pack packages |
| Logistics Manager | Configure delivery methods, track costs |
EN/VI Terminology Reference
| Fields | Trường dữ liệu | Description |
|---|---|---|
| DHL SiteID | DHL SiteID | Account identifier code |
| DHL Password | Mật khẩu DHL | API password |
| DHL Account Number | Số tài khoản DHL | Billing account number |
| Package Dimension Unit | Đơn vị kích thước kiện hàng | Centimeters or Inches |
| Package Weight Unit | Đơn vị trọng lượng kiện hàng | Kilograms or Pounds |
| Region | Khu vực | Asia Pacific, America, Europe |
| DHL Product | Sản phẩm DHL | D - Express Worldwide, E - Express 9:00, N - Domestic Express |
| Dutiable Material | Hàng hóa chịu thuế | Taxable goods |
| Duty Payment | Thanh toán thuế | Sender or Recipient |
| Label Image Format | Định dạng ảnh nhãn | PDF, EPL2, ZPL2 |
| Label Template | Mẫu nhãn | 8X4_A4_PDF, 8X4_thermal |
Configure DHL Account
To use the module, register a DHL account and obtain credentials:
Steps
1. Contact DHL Express to register business account
2. Receive information: Site ID (identifier), Password (API password), Account Number (billing account)
3. Request DHL to activate XML API access
4. Go to Inventory → Configuration → Delivery → Shipping Methods
5. Create new method, select Provider = DHL (Legacy)
6. DHL Configuration tab: Enter Site ID, Password, Account Number
7. Select Region (AP for Vietnam, AM for Americas, EU for Europe)
8. Configure units: Package Dimension Unit (Centimeters/Inches), Package Weight Unit (Kilograms/Pounds)
Configure Delivery Method
Detailed configuration steps:
Steps
1. Select DHL Product: D - Express Worldwide (most common), E - Express 9:00, N - Domestic Express, P - Express Worldwide, T - Express 12:00
2. Configure labels: Label Image Format (PDF for regular printers, EPL2/ZPL2 for thermal printers)
3. Select Label Template: 8X4_A4_PDF (8x4 inch label on A4), 6X4_PDF, 8X4_thermal (Zebra/Eltron printers)
4. Dutiable goods option: Check Dutiable Material if shipping international taxable goods
5. Select Duty Payment: Sender (shipper pays) or Recipient (receiver pays)
6. Configure pricing: Leave blank to use actual DHL rates, or add Fixed Price surcharge
Calculate Shipping Rates on Orders
Process for calculating rates from Sale Order:
Key points
• Rate depends on: Total weight, package dimensions, sender/receiver address, service type, dutiable goods
Steps
1. Create or open Sale Order
2. Fill completely: Customer with delivery address, products and quantity, product weight (required)
3. Click Add Shipping
4. Select DHL Express from list
5. Click Get Rate to fetch price from DHL
6. System displays shipping fee
7. Click Add to add to order
Create Shipment and Print Label
Shipment creation process:
Steps
1. From Sale Order, click Delivery to open delivery order
2. Or go to Inventory → Operations → Transfers
3. Check: Complete delivery address (street, city, postal code, country), receiver phone number, package weight
4. Click Validate to confirm shipment
5. Click Send to Shipper to create DHL shipment
6. System displays Tracking Number
7. Click Print Label to download PDF label
8. Print label and attach to package
Track Packages
Tracking number and DHL tracking:
Key points
• View tracking: Carrier Tracking Ref field on delivery order
• Track online: Click Tracking on delivery order or visit https://www.dhl.com/tracking
• Enter tracking code to view status
Cancel Shipment
When and how to cancel shipment:
Key points
• When to cancel: Customer cancels order, wrong delivery info, need to recreate with new info
• Process: Open delivery order with DHL shipment → Click Cancel Shipment → Confirm cancellation
• Note: Can only cancel shipment not yet picked up by DHL, after canceling can create new shipment
Create Return Label
Return label creation process:
Key points
• When needed: Customer wants to return, delivery failed need to resend
• How to create: Open delivery order with shipment → Click Return Label → Print and send to customer
• Return label has reversed sender/receiver addresses
Customs Declaration
Requirements for international shipping (exports):
Steps
1. Go to Inventory → Products → Products
2. Open product for export
3. Inventory tab: Fill HS Code (customs code), Country of Origin, Weight
4. When creating DHL shipment for international: Check Dutiable Material on delivery method
5. System automatically sends customs info: Product description, value, weight, country of origin
Common Error Handling
Errors and Solutions
| Error | Cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Invalid Site ID or Password | Wrong login credentials | Check Site ID and Password, ensure XML API activated |
| Missing required field: Phone | Missing phone number | Fill receiver phone number |
| Invalid postal code | Invalid postal code | Check and fix postal code, ensure correct format |
| Package weight exceeds limit | Weight exceeds limit | Split into multiple packages or choose DHL Freight |
| Shipment already exists | Shipment already exists | Check shipment, cancel old one if need to create new |
Practical Tips
Key points
• Cost optimization: Enter complete package dimensions (DHL calculates by volumetric weight), choose appropriate service (Express fast but expensive, Economy cheaper), combine multiple orders in one package
• Ensure delivery: Check address carefully (wrong address is main failure cause), fill phone number (DHL needs to contact receiver), complete customs declaration
• Label management: Use thermal printer (faster and saves paper), store PDF label files for reprinting, print 1-2 backup labels
• Tracking: Update tracking regularly, notify customer of tracking code immediately, handle issues quickly