International parcel and mail service Asendia USA has partnered with DPDgroup to offer an improved version of its e-commerce parcel delivery service, e-Paq, from the USA to Europe.
Asendia is the joint venture between La Poste and Swiss Post, which aims to use smart technologies to support e-commerce through its e-Paq parcel services for online retailers. The companies have collaborated to improve this service and create e-Paq Elite, which will be powered in Europe by DPD.
e-Paq Elite is intended to give US retailers access to delivery into the European e-commerce markets (France, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Spain, UK) in three to five business days. Retailers will also be offered optimized tracking and different customs options, including prepaid and paid at destination, depending on their business. In addition, e-Paq Elite offers Predict, an end-consumer app that offers advanced notifications, one-hour delivery windows, live tracking, delivery rescheduling and sustainable delivery options. Additionally, retailers can access their own portal, myDPD, to access live tracking, multi-device delivery management, support and feedback options.
Partnering with Asendia forms part of DPDgroup’s intention to facilitate growth opportunities in the US. Last year, the US was the second-largest partner for European Union imports, accounting for 11.8% of total imports, according to Eurostat. Over the past decade, trade between the US and the EU has experienced continuous growth, with only a small decrease in 2020 as the pandemic began to impact activities.
Marc Pontet, CEO of Asendia, said, “The strategic alliance between Asendia and DPDgroup creates new opportunities for retailers wanting to break into or further develop their sales to Europe. Our pilot customers have shown how e-Paq Elite, powered in Europe by DPD, will give B2C shippers a fast and more affordable option. Reliable, sensitively priced delivery drives conversions in cross-border e-commerce, which is why we’re expecting this to be a popular choice for US retailers striving to win and retain new European customers.”