In the face of strong online retail-related export growth, DHL eCommerce has expanded its Hong Kong distribution centre.
E-commerce exports from China are expected to reach €1.6 trillion (US$1.8 trillion) in value by 2020.
Hong Kong’s strategic location and ability to handle special shipments is vital for cross-border e-commerce exports. Fashion, electronics and home accessories are the fastest-growing categories, but new growth categories include pet accessories, menswear and sports equipment
A division of logistics company Deutsche Post DHL Group (DPDHL), DHL ecommerce says its centre will support e-commerce export growth particularly from the South China region such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hong Kong, and will connect e-commerce exports to 220 countries and territories worldwide.
“Cross-border e-commerce continues to flourish in China with revenues rising more than 80 per cent year on year to reach €12 billion last year, out of which €4 billion are in e-commerce exports,” says DHL E-Commerce CEO Charles Brewer. “We see a huge opportunity for China e-commerce exports particularly to popular markets such as the UK and US, but increasingly also to emerging markets such as Southeast Asia, India and Latin America.
“DHL is investing in its presence in China to ensure we are well-positioned to support businesses to capture cross-border e-commerce opportunity.”
The Hong Kong distribution centre will focus on e-commerce exports weighing up to 2kg to 220 countries and territories worldwide, and up to 20kg to such markets as the UK, US, Canada, Germany, France, Spain and Asia Pacific.
With a capacity to manage more than 70 million shipments annually and the ability to handle special shipments such as lithium batteries, the centre will support e-commerce sellers seeking to export to an increasing number of markets internationally.
“Chinese brands are gaining popularity worldwide and we see a huge shift in consumer attitudes toward the ‘Made in China’ brand. Many of our customers are now gaining an international following in various categories such as fashion, electronic and home accessories, but we are also seeing increasing popularity in more categories such as pet accessories, menswear and sports equipment,” says DHL eCommerce North Asia MD Zhi Zheng.
“In addition, specialised services provided by e-commerce platforms and marketplaces, such as foreign-language expertise and logistics and distribution services, all help to boost cross-border e-commerce exports. In China, we work closely with e-commerce platforms and direct customers to support Chinese sellers internationalise their products by making logistics as easy and affordable as possible,” says Zheng.
