What are the differences between DHL and Royal Mail shipping services?
Compare DHL and Royal Mail shipping rates and advantages before you choose which one is better for your shipping needs. With our comprehensive guide, you will be able to analyse the differences between DHL and Royal Mail shipping services based on speed, cost, customer satisfaction and solutions for businesses. Alternatively, get an immediate shipping quote with Eurosender and have the delivery performed by DHL or another one of our vetted partners.
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DHL vs Royal Mail shipping rates. Is DHL cheaper than Royal Mail?
In order to thoroughly compare the shipping rates offered by DHL and Royal Mail, we have gathered information about their domestic and international shipping services in the UK and abroad. It is important to note that the final price depends on the size and weight of your package, the shipping distance, as well as additional insurance or other features you select at the booking stage.
Find out which option is cheaper, DHL or Royal Mail, by having a look at the cost estimates for their domestic and international shipping services in the tables below.
To make sure you compare not only these two companies but also other options of couriers, get a quote on our platform.
PRICE COMPARISON
DHL vs Royal Mail domestic shipping in the UK
Compare the prices for shipping a 10 kg package domestically in the UK with DHL or Royal Mail:
| Shipping service | Cost | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| DHL Domestic Express | £19.95 | 1 working day |
| DHL Parcel Door to Door | £8.89 | Up to 2 working days |
| Royal Mail Guaranteed | £17.45 | 1 working day by 13.00 |
| Royal Mail Tracked 48 | £10.83 | 2 working days |
| Royal Mail Signed | £8.05 | 2-3 working days |
| Royal Mail Standard | £6.95 | 3 working days |
DHL vs Royal Mail international envelope shipping from the UK to Ireland
Check if DHL or Royal Mail is cheaper for shipping documents internationally:
| Shipping service | Cost | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| DHL Express Worldwide | £22.95 | 1-3 working days |
| Royal Mail International Tracked & Signed | £7.00 | 3-4 working days |
| Royal Mail International Tracked | £6.90 | 3-4 working days |
| Royal Mail International Signed | £7.00 | 3-4 working days |
| Royal Mail International Economy | £1.60 | Up to 2 weeks |
DHL vs Royal Mail international shipping from the UK to the USA
Compare the prices for shipping a 2 kg package internationally with DHL or Royal Mail:
| Shipping service | Cost | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| DHL Express Worldwide | £37.95 | 1-4 working days |
| Royal Mail International Tracked & Signed | £33.70 | 5-7 working days |
| Royal Mail International Tracked | £27.60 | 5-7 working days |
| Royal Mail International Signed | £16.80 | 5-7 working days |
| Royal Mail International Economy | £14.25 | Up to 6 weeks |
Compare the prices with Eurosender!
Differences between DHL and Royal Mail: is DHL part of Royal Mail?
Although many people think that DHL (operating as UK Mail) and Royal Mail are the same company, the reality is that they are two completely separate courier providers, each with their own logistics network. When deciding whether DHL or Royal Mail would be better for your needs, you would have to get quotes from each of their platforms and compare the features they offer.
At Eurosender, we collaborate with several renowned logistics providers and our platform instantly compares hundreds of shipping rates. Instead of queuing up at the post office, book a door-to-door delivery quickly and easily with Eurosender.
SPEED OF DELIVERY
DHL vs Royal Mail: Which is faster?
It depends on the desired route and on the shipping service you select. Both DHL and Royal Mail can offer fast courier services with similar transit times for domestic shipments. Their express services guarantee next-day delivery, and other standard solutions offer lower rates, but longer delivery times.
For international shipping, DHL is usually the fastest alternative since they have a more extensive network, performing worldwide deliveries in 1 to 4 working days.
To determine which one is faster for the service you need, DHL or Royal Mail, check the comparison in our tables above.
DHL vs Royal Mail reliability: tracking services
Analysing which courier is more reliable between DHL and Royal Mail is a challenging task since reliability can be related to several aspects of the service. One of the options is to compare the DHL and Royal Mail tracking systems and solutions for confirmation of delivery:
- Every shipment organised through DHL is assigned a tracking number and can be tracked on their platform. While booking the service, the shipper can choose between three delivery confirmation options. The shipping services with signature upon delivery or signature from an adult may be subject to additional charges.
- The Royal Mail international tracking system is not included in every service. You can only track an item if you have selected a service that includes a tracking number. The same goes for signature upon delivery – only certain services can include this feature and it may come at an additional cost.
PROS AND CONS
Differences between DHL vs Royal Mail: Which one is better?
Both companies have their advantages, so before deciding which courier is better, let’s compare DHL and Royal Mail main features:
| Feature | DHL | Royal Mail | Eurosender |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service dedicated to envelopes | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free door-to-door delivery | ✓ | For some services | ✓ |
| Free signature upon delivery | ✓ | For some services | ✓ |
| Discounts for registered users | X | ✓ | ✓ |
| Support via live chat | X | X | ✓ |
| Instant online quotes | Depends on the route | Depends on the route | ✓ |
| Freight solutions for individuals | ✓ | X | ✓ |
| Real-time tracking | ✓ | For some services | ✓ |
| Delivery to sanctioned countries | ✓ | X | ✓ |
DHL vs Royal Mail for e-commerce: which courier service is better for your business?
When comparing the solutions from DHL and Royal Mail for e-commerce and businesses, you need to consider your specific shipping needs, volumes and delivery locations.
- With DHL, companies can simplify their logistics operations by integrating the DHL API to their online store and benefit from DHL fulfilment services, available in selected markets. For better convenience, customers can collect and deliver parcels at DHL Service Points, available in several locations worldwide.
- Royal Mail offers several business solutions, suitable for different needs. Some solutions are free of charge, such as Royal Mail Pro Shipping or API Shipping, but other solutions come at a higher cost because they offer additional features and a full control tower. Other significant advantages for online stores is the availability of collection and drop-off points in the UK and the possibility of arranging weekend deliveries (on Saturday and Sunday).
OUR BENEFITS
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FINAL RECAP
DHL vs Royal Mail comparison summary
Comparing DHL and Royal Mail to decide which one is better for your e-commerce may take some time as it depends on a number of factors. Remember that the logistics providers you choose to collaborate with have a direct effect on your reputation as a business. When analysing the differences between DHL and Royal Mail shipping services, make sure to check which one is cheaper, faster and has better overall performance in your main operation area.
DHL is mostly preferred by international companies that take advantage of their renowned real-time tracking system, expedited worldwide deliveries and global brand recognition in the logistics industry. On the other hand, UK-based businesses who regularly send not only packages but also envelopes and small items, usually prefer to collaborate with Royal Mail. Their wide availability of post offices throughout the UK and the diverse variety of shipping services they offer are two of the main reasons for the popularity of Royal Mail in their home nation.
But why choose one single courier company if you have the option of using multiple providers based on the price/quality they offer for each route? At Eurosender, we work with numerous couriers, including DHL, to match you with the best fit for each shipping request. Get a quote online or sign up for additional discounts and benefits.