DHL Shipping For Magento 2: Configuration Steps & Use Cases

• What Is DHL Magento 2?

• 3 Methods To Configure DHL Carrier In Magento 2

• Best Practices For Configuring & Using Magento 2 DHL Shipping

• Business Solutions For DHL Shipping & Logistics

• Common Errors & Troubleshooting Of DHL Shipping Module

• FAQs

• Summary

What Is DHL Magento 2?

Magento DHL supports both standard shipping options and shipping rates based on the parcel's volume.

The Post & DHL Shipping extension integrates Post & DHL logistics APIs into the Magento 2 platform's order processing workflow. Integrating DHL Shipping Methods into your Magento 2 store allows your customers to ship anything from goods to letters and documents. DHL package's expertise, professionalism, and robust infrastructure minimizes the chances of delays, damages, and lost packages.

DHL Ecommerce shipping services within the Magento 2 store allow customers to leverage shipping options from a trusted carrier. It reduces the risk of shipping through less reliable providers as well as curbs the losses of shipping in-house. This way, you can ensure orders get to customers while focusing on handling shipping table rates.

3 Methods To Configure DHL Carrier In Magento 2

There are three methods to set up DHL Carrier Express Rates for Magento 2:

Method 1: Installing from Package using Composer

1. Copy the Package and place the TGZ or ZIP plugin package into a folder accessible by Composer without unzipping it.
2. Navigate to the root directory of your Magento installation.
3. Execute the following commands:

   composer config repositories.dhlexpress artifact /path/to/folder/with/package/
   composer require dhl/module-rates-express
   composer update
   

Note: The path must point to the folder containing the package, not the package itself. The path should be absolute, starting from the server root.

4. Resolve any errors by referring to the Composer troubleshooting documentation.
5. Check the example below to enable and setup the module:

   php bin/magento module:enable Dhl_ExpressRates --clear-static-content
   php bin/magento setup:upgrade
   php bin/magento cache:flush
   php bin/magento setup:di:compile
   php bin/magento setup:static-content:deploy en_US en_GB fr_FR de_DE it_IT es_ES
   

Note: Replace the locales in the last command with those of your shop.

6. Ensure there are no errors after execution and proceed with the configuration.

Method 2: Installing from the Repository Using Composer

1. Get authentication keys to access the Magento repository. Refer to the Magento guide for authentication keys.
2. On the command line, go to the root directory of your Magento installation.
3. Run the following commands:

   composer require dhl/module-rates-express
   composer update
   

4. Check for errors by referring to the Composer troubleshooting documentation.
5. Check the example below to enable and setup the module:

   php bin/magento module:enable Dhl_ExpressRates --clear-static-content
   php bin/magento setup:upgrade
   php bin/magento cache:flush
   php bin/magento setup:di:compile
   php bin/magento setup:static-content:deploy en_US en_GB fr_FR de_DE it_IT
   

Note: Replace the locales in the last command with those of your shop.

6. Ensure there are no errors after execution and proceed with the configuration.

Method 3: Setting up access for DHL Express Commerce to Magento 2

1. Token Authentication (recommended)

Follow these steps to create an access token:

1. Log into Your Magento 2 Admin Page.

2. Click on Add New Integration.

3. In the ‘Name’ field, enter "DHL".

4. In the ‘Your Password’ field, enter your admin password. Leave all other fields blank.

5. Click on the ‘API’ tab.

6. Under the Resource Access dropdown, select ‘All’.

7. Click on ‘Save’.

8. After getting redirected to the Integrations page, Click on ‘Allow’.

9. A dialog box will appear with a Consumer Key, Consumer Secret, Access Token, and Access Token Secret.

10. Only copy the Access Token and click on ‘Done’.

Follow these steps for user authentication:

1. Go to Magento Admin Dashboard > select System.

2. Under Permissions, select ‘User Roles’.

3. Click on ‘Add New Role’.

4. In the ‘Role Name’ field, enter 'Integration', and then select the Role Resources tab.

5. From the Resource Access dropdown, select ‘All’.

6. Click on ‘Save Role’.

Note: Skip this section if you have already completed the steps for Token Authentication.

Follow these steps to create a new role:

1. Navigate to your dashboard and select ‘System’.

2. Under Permissions, click on ‘All Users’.

3. On the Users page, click on ‘Add New User’.

4. Fill in the required user information.

Note: Please note down the username and password for future reference.

5. Select the User Role tab.

6. Choose the Integration role you previously created.

7. Click on ‘Save User’.

2. Enter Your Magento 2 Details

1. Log into DHL E-commerce.

2. Go to your account and select Settings.

3. Navigate to Integrations.

4. Click on Add a new integration and choose Magento 2.

5. Select your authentication method as determined in step 1.

6. Check the box to Enable Magento 2.

7. Enter the URL of your site.

8. Input your Access Token or your Username and Password.

9. Select your desired import status.

10. Test your connection.

11. Click on ‘Save’ to finalize the integration.

Best Practices For Configuring & Using Magento 2 DHL Shipping

1. Use Latest Versions

Always use the latest versions of the Magento 2 DHL shipping extension. Ensure compatibility with your Magento version to take advantage of new features and bug fixes.

2. Verify Credentials

Double-check your DHL account number, access ID, and password credentials. This way, you can avoid "Access Denied" errors during integration.

3. Configure Packaging

Properly configure packaging settings like weight units and package dimensions. Also, enable splitting for accurate shipping rate calculation based on total order weight and size.

4. Test Thoroughly

Extensively test the DHL shipping integration with various order scenarios, destinations, and shipping methods. It should be done before going live to identify and resolve any issues.

5. Enable Logging

Turn on debug logging to troubleshoot errors and issues during configuration or order processing easily.

6. Specify Allowed Methods

Clearly specify the allowed DHL shipping methods (express, freight, etc.). Along with this, specify applicable countries to provide relevant options during checkout.

7. Set Handling Fees

Configure appropriate handling fees or surcharges based on your business requirements (per order or per package).

8. Customize Error Messages

Instead of generic errors, provide clear, user-friendly error messages when a shipping method is not applicable.

9. Track Shipment

Integrate shipment tracking to provide customers visibility into their DHL shipment status and expected delivery dates.

10. Update Regularly

Regularly update the DHL shipping extension. Ensure compatibility with the latest Magento releases and DHL API changes.

Business Solutions For DHL Shipping & Logistics

Target Industry	Business Impact
Device Lifecycle Management Services	Optimized reverse logistics and asset recovery, reducing shipping costs and environmental impact of e-waste. Enabled efficient redeployment of refurbished devices.
Electronic Devices	Maximized product lifecycle value through refurbishing and reselling. Supported sustainability goals and circular economy initiatives.
Luxury Fashion Brands	Enabled timely product launches in new markets, capturing sales opportunities. Enhanced brand experience through reliable urgent deliveries.
Boutique Deliveries	Facilitated expansion into new markets by overcoming logistics challenges. Improved customer experience through efficient boutique deliveries.
Web Application Services	Streamlined B2B shipping process, enabling over 75,000 shipments per week. Increased operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Common Errors & Troubleshooting Of DHL Shipping Module

Error	Cause	Solution
"The Consumer isn't authorized to access %resources%"	Unauthorized entry or customer account identification not matched	Go to Stores > Configuration > Services > OAuth > Consumer Settings. Allow OAuth Access to 'Yes'.
"Gateway URL is incorrect"	Incorrect or outdated Gateway URL specified	Verify the correct Gateway URL with DHL and update in the Magento config
"This shipping method is currently unavailable"	DHL shipping not enabled for the customer's country	Check the allowed countries config and 'Show Method if Not Applicable' setting
"The response is in wrong format"	Product name contains unsupported characters	Avoid special characters in product list names or use a different attribute for DHL contents.
"Access Denied" or "Cannot authorize"	Incorrect DHL API credentials	Double-check the Access ID, Password, and Account Number

FAQs

1. Can I customize the shipping labels generated by the DHL Magento 2 extension?

Yes, the extension allows you to customize the shipping labels to include your store's branding, logo, and any additional information you wish to display. You can configure these settings in the extension's admin panel.

2. Does the DHL Magento 2 extension support multiple languages and currencies?

Yes, the extension is designed to support Magento 2 in multiple languages and currencies, making it suitable for international stores. You can configure the language and currency settings to match your store's requirements.

3. How does the extension handle shipping rates and calculations?

The DHL Magento 2 extension integrates with the DHL API to fetch real-time shipping rates based on package dimensions, weight, and destination. This ensures that your customers receive accurate shipping quotes during the Magento 2 checkout process.

4. Can I track shipments and provide tracking information to my customers?

Yes, the extension automatically generates tracking numbers for each shipment, and DHL offers tracking information to your customers. You can also enable email notifications to keep your customers informed about their Magento package's status.

5. Can I bulk print shipping labels for multiple orders?

Yes, the DHL Magento 2 extension allows you to bulk-print shipping labels for multiple orders simultaneously. This feature saves time and streamlines your shipping process, especially when dealing with a high volume of orders.

Summary

Integrating DHL Magento 2 shipping services with Magento 2 enhances your store's reach and functionality. It helps you to:

• Manage the shipping settings, print shipment labels, and update order statuses with ease.
• Generate and print DHL shipping labels directly from your admin panel.
• Get access to real-time tracking updates.
• Configure shipping methods to suit your business needs.

Leverage free shipping charges with managed Magento hosting to upgrade your DHL parcel with DHL Magento 2.