EMS vs. DHL: Which Is Cheaper For International Shipping?

We all want the best for our eCommerce business, especially when it comes to shipping internationally.

EMS vs. DHL are both established shipping companies that specialize in international shipping. Both couriers offer unique service options, so it’s important to do your research before choosing which courier is right for your business.

EMS or DHL: Which is cheaper for your next international shipment? More reliable? Faster? Read this blog to find out. We’ll give you the full rundown on the features, services, and coverage of these two top global courier companies.

EMS vs. DHL: What’s the Difference?

While EMS and DHL are both international shipping carriers, they differ in key areas like price, delivery lead times, and coverage. When choosing which courier is best for you, it’s important to know the differences between the couriers you’re comparing.

Here’s where EMS vs. DHL is similar:

• Both originate from Europe
• Both offer express shipping
• Both price their services differently  by country

EMS vs. DHL is also very different, though. This is because DHL offers wider coverage and more responsive customer service. We’ve compared EMS Express Mail to DHL Express Worldwide using Easyship’s free comparison tool.

Here we see that DHL Express Worldwide offers better support, tracking, and delivery speed when comparing EMS express service vs. DHL. However, EMS is often cheaper than DHL. These comparisons are based on feedback from Easyship users, as well as listed rates and services on the websites of each courier.

EMS doesn’t offer shipping insurance, while DHL includes insurance up to USD 100 with each shipment. DHL offers a return policy while EMS doesn’t, and with DHL you can recall a shipment before it is delivered.

This page shows that EMS Express Mail offers scheduled delivery, but DHL doesn’t when comparing EMS express service vs. DHL. It’s also important to note that DHL has a stricter custom clearance process as compared to EMS. However, since Easyship generates all customs documents for you, it won’t be any extra effort.

A head-to-head comparison reveals that EMS vs. DHL is split in terms of their features. DHL also appears to be slightly more expensive, on average.

Additionally, EMS vs. DHL differs in maximum volumes. You can ship packages up to 66 pounds with EMS Express and up to 154 pounds with DHL.

Overall, EMS vs. DHL offers a similar express delivery service but with different features.  When deciding between the couriers, you might choose the carrier that offers the service features you need most.

The Basics of DHL Shipping

DHL is an international courier that delivers to over 220 countries worldwide. The company offers a few shipping services for merchants, including:

• DHL Express
• DHL Parcel
• DHL International Mail

Here is a quick overview of the DHL shipping services available.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship DHL?

Say you want to ship a five-pound package from the US to Singapore. The DHL website shows that our price will be $197.22, and be delivered in 3-5 business days.

We can save on DHL shipping with Easyship. The example rates for the same shipment but with Easyship’s pre-negotiated discount rates. With Easyship, DHL Express Worldwide from the US to Singapore costs just $71.77 – 64% off the price of the DHL retail rate. Every DHL shipment with Easyship saves you money, up to 91% off.

EMS Shipping Basics

EMS is an international postal express network that delivers to over 180 countries, including Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore. Much like USPS, EMS works through the postal service. This means you can often get cheaper rates from EMS, but delivery might be slower or less reliable.

Considering that DHL has a wider coverage, you can expect more responsive client assistance. However, that’s not to say that EMS doesn’t have its benefits, including:

• A priority express service: EMS takes priority over other postal services
• Convenience: The EMS global network has the largest customer access points across the world based on post office counters
• Largest delivery network worldwide: EMS postal operators have the largest last-mile coverage worldwide supported by the postal delivery network system

Which is Cheaper: EMS or DHL?

Naturally, you’ll want to know which courier service is cheaper. We’ve consolidated all the information into a table to make it easier for you.

Rates from EMS tend to be slightly cheaper than DHL’s. This is because EMS operates as a door-to-door delivery service alongside local post offices. Like shipping with USPS, these cheaper rates may result in slightly slower deliveries or less reliable delivery lead times.

The easiest way to compare EMS vs. DHL shipping rates is with Easyship, and it’s FREE to create an account! Once you do, you can instantly compare EMS vs. DHL inside our shipping dashboard. Plus, get immediate access to 250+ global courier solutions on top of DHL and EMS, allowing you to compare rates from all the cheapest couriers for your specific shipment.

While EMS offers express mail service, we can tell that DHL is more accessible and offers more shipping options.

Access the biggest courier network with Easyship, and you’ll save up to 91% on shipping costs, especially with international couriers. With the market-leading network of options, Easyship is the top multi-carrier platform for ambitious eCommerce entrepreneurs.

• Save up to 76% on UPS Worldwide Saver®
• Save up to 33% on SF Express
• Save up to 52% on Asendia - e-PAQ Plus
• Save up to 73% on DHL – Express Worldwide
• Save up to 91% on DHL eCommerce services

While finding the right shipping courier can help you scale your store, developing an effective shipping process can be just as important. We have designed a range of user-friendly shipping tools to help grow your store today:

Shipping Rate Calculator: Compare exclusive rates from over 550+ courier services worldwide. Say goodbye to hidden costs and discover the most cost-effective shipping options.

Insurance: Keep your shipments safe and secure with up to $10,000 in insurance coverage, so you can focus on scaling your store without worrying about damages or losses.

Tracking: Boost customer satisfaction with custom-branded tracking emails and automatic message alerts. Keep your customers informed and engaged throughout the entire delivery process.

What are you waiting for? Get started with Easyship and sign up here for free.

EMS vs. DHL Shipping FAQ

What does EMS mean in shipping?

EMS stands for Express Mail Service. The Universal Postal Union created the EMS Cooperative to develop express delivery worldwide.

Is EMS shipping safe?

Yes, EMS delivers 8 million packages every week to over 180 designated countries.

If you found this article informative, you might enjoy the following:

• DHL vs. USPS: Which is Better for Your eCommerce Business?
• DHL vs. UPS: Which Courier is Best for eCommerce?
• DHL vs. FedEx: Which Works Best for Your eCommerce Business?