The DHL Express integration enables you to create shipments, generate labels, and manage international shipping directly from Mintsoft. This guide covers everything you need to configure and use DHL Express services, including credential setup, service mapping, dimension configuration, and advanced features like return labels and cost integration.
DHL Express Integration Features
You can use the following features with the DHL Express integration in Mintsoft:
Global shipping: Ship from UK and worldwide locations to international destinations.
Commercial invoice documents: Automatically generate customs documentation for international shipments.
Multiple export terms: Support for DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) and DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping.
Paperless Trade: DHL's digital customs clearance service that eliminates the need for physical commercial invoices to be attached to shipments. When available for the destination country, Mintsoft automatically includes your commercial invoice data digitally with the shipment. For thermal printer users (ZPL/EPL), you can enable "Print ArchiveLabels For Paperless Trade" to include invoice document PDFs with your labels. For desktop printers (PDF/ECOMPDF), invoice documents are automatically embedded in the label PDF when Paperless Trade is used.
Return label functionality: Automatically generate return labels alongside outbound shipments for easy customer returns.
Automatic rate retrieval for 3PL accounting: Use actual DHL shipping costs in client invoicing with Variable Uplift Pricing.
Obtain Credentials
To integrate DHL Express with Mintsoft, you first need to sign up for DHL credentials.
Register for DHL API Portal.
Request DHL Express Credentials.
Log in using your DHL API Portal credentials from Step 1.
Add your DHL Express Account Number and contact details.
Select Shipment from the Requested Services section.
Enter Mintsoft WMS Shipping Integration in the "Describe your usage for this service" field.
Provide your transaction volume.
DHL Express will provide you with access credentials to the DHL Express API (MyDHL API).
You'll receive two emails with test and production credentials.
Use the credentials from the Production email.
Take note of the following: SiteID, Password, and AccountNo as you'll need them when integrating with Mintsoft.
Example
Add the Account within Mintsoft
Once you have the credentials from DHL Express, the next step is to add the account in Mintsoft.
Click Connect then select Courier Integrations.
Click DHL then click Add Account.
Select the Client and Warehouse you want to use.
Enter your DHL API credentials (from the DHL API Portal email):
Site ID: Your DHL API Site ID (from production credentials email).
Password: Your DHL API Password (from production credentials email).
Account No: Your primary DHL account number for outbound and export shipments.
Continue configuring the connection:
Import Account No: Separate DHL account number for import and return shipments (if different from Account No).
Leave blank if you use the same account for all shipments.
Required if you generate return labels for international shipments.
Label Type: Select your preferred format (required).
PDF: For desktop and office printers.
ECOMPDF: E-commerce optimised PDF.
ZPL: For Zebra thermal printers.
EPL: For Eltron thermal printers.
Generate Commercial Invoices for Int Shipments: Automatically creates customs invoices for international orders.
Enable this if you ship internationally and need customs documentation.
Commercial invoices are required for customs clearance.
Uses product descriptions, values, and HS codes from your catalogue.
Print ArchiveLabels For Paperless Trade: Includes commercial invoice PDFs with thermal labels (ZPL and EPL only).
Only relevant if you selected ZPL or EPL label type.
For PDF and ECOMPDF formats, invoices are automatically embedded in the label.
Enable if you want invoice documents printed with thermal labels for Paperless Trade.
Use DHL Postage Cost to Invoice: Uses actual DHL shipping costs in client invoicing.
Requires Variable Uplift Pricing to be configured for your clients.
See Variable Uplift Pricing guide for setup.
Costs are retrieved from DHL and marked up according to your pricing rules.
Prioritise Rate Table: Checks custom rate tables before using DHL costs.
Only applicable if "Use DHL Postage Cost to Invoice" is enabled.
If rate table has matching service and destination, use that cost.
If no rate table match, fall back to DHL cost with uplift.
Useful for having custom pricing for specific destinations and services.
Test Mode: Uses DHL test environment instead of production.
Enable this when first setting up integration.
Use test credentials (not production) when Test Mode is enabled.
Create test shipments to verify configuration.
Disable and switch to production credentials when ready to go live.
Download Tracking Events: Automatically retrieves tracking updates from DHL.
Enable to keep tracking information up to date in Mintsoft.
Updates are retrieved periodically from DHL's tracking API.
Tracking data appears in order history and tracking pages.
Click Add to save your DHL Express account configuration.
Configuring DHL Courier Services
After adding your DHL Express account, you must configure courier service mappings to use DHL services. This is a critical step that tells Mintsoft which DHL service codes to use for each of your shipping options.
Setting Up Service Mappings
Navigate to Shipping Management then select Courier Service Codes.
Locate or create a courier service for DHL Express.
Click Edit on the service you want to configure.
Set Courier to DHL (DHL Express).
Configure the Extra Code fields as follows.
Extra Code Field Reference
Configure these fields based on your requirements:
Extra Code 1: DHL Global Product Code (required).
Examples: P (Express Worldwide), N (Domestic Express), D (Express 12:00), U (Express Worldwide Documents).
This code determines which DHL service is used for shipments.
Extra Code 3: Return Service Code (optional).
Use the same code as Extra Code 1 for return service.
Example: P for return labels.
Leave blank if you don't need return labels.
Extra Code 4: Customs Invoice Override (optional).
Y = Always generate invoice.
N = Never generate invoice.
Leave blank = Auto-detect based on destination.
Extra Code 8: Default Parcel Dimensions (optional).
Format: Depth;Width;Height in centimetres.
Example: 30;25;15 (30cm deep, 25cm wide, 15cm tall).
Used when rework or product dimensions aren't available.
Common DHL Global Product Codes
Contact DHL Express for the complete list of service codes available in your region. Common examples include:
P: DHL Express Worldwide (International).
N: DHL Express Domestic.
D: DHL Express 12:00.
U: DHL Express Worldwide Documents.
K: DHL Express 9:00.
Y: DHL Express 12:00 Documents.
Example Configuration
For a standard international express service:
Extra Code 1: P (Express Worldwide).
Extra Code 3: P (to generate return labels).
Extra Code 4: Leave blank (auto-detect customs requirements).
Extra Code 8: 30;25;15 (default 30cm by 25cm by 15cm parcel).
Important Notes
Extra Code 1 must exactly match a DHL Global Product Code or shipments will fail validation.
If you configure Extra Code 3, a return label will automatically be generated with each outbound shipment.
Extra Code 4 overrides automatic customs detection – use carefully.
Extra Code 8 provides fallback dimensions when product or rework dimensions aren't available.
Validation
After configuring your service mappings, test by creating a shipment. The system will validate your Global Product Code against DHL's service availability for the destination address. If validation fails, check:
The Global Product Code is correct for your DHL account.
The destination country is supported by the service.
The delivery postcode and town or city are valid.
Enabling Return Labels
DHL Express supports automatic generation of return labels with each outbound shipment. Return labels allow your customers to easily return items using DHL Express.
How Return Labels Work
When enabled, Mintsoft automatically creates two labels for each shipment:
Outbound Label: For sending the parcel to the customer.
Return Label: For the customer to return items back to you.
The return label uses reversed addresses:
Shipper becomes your customer's address.
Consignee becomes your warehouse address.
Configuring Return Labels
To enable automatic return label generation:
Set Import Account Number (for international returns):
Edit your DHL Express account.
Enter your Import Account No (if different from your standard account).
This account is used for international return shipments.
For domestic returns, your standard Account No is used.
Configure Courier Service Mapping:
Navigate to Shipping Management then select Courier Service Codes.
Edit your DHL Express service.
In Extra Code 3, enter the DHL Global Product Code for return service.
Typically this is the same as Extra Code 1 (for example, P for Express Worldwide).
Click Update.
Test Return Label Generation:
Create a test shipment using the configured service.
Check the order documents – you should see two labels:
Main shipping label (for example, 1234567890.pdf).
Return label with RTN prefix (for example, RTN-1234567890.pdf).
Return Label Storage
Return labels are automatically:
Saved as separate order documents with "RTN-" prefix.
Linked to the shipment record as ReturnLabelId.
Available for download from the order documents section.
Printable alongside the outbound label for inclusion in the parcel.
When to Use Return Labels
Consider enabling return labels for:
E-commerce shipments where returns are common.
High-value items that may need returning.
Customer service scenarios requiring easy return processes.
Note: Each return label generated counts as a separate API call to DHL. If you don't need return labels, leave Extra Code 3 blank to avoid unnecessary API usage.
Sending Dimensions for DHL Express
DHL Express requires accurate parcel dimensions for all shipments. Mintsoft uses a priority-based system to determine dimensions, checking multiple sources in order until valid dimensions are found.
Dimension Priority Hierarchy
Dimensions are determined in the following order (highest to lowest priority).
First Priority: Rework Items with "Is Shipping Box"
If you scan rework items marked as shipping boxes, their dimensions will be used:
Each Rework Item with "Is Shipping Box" ticked represents one parcel.
The scanned rework dimensions are used for that specific parcel.
Important: The number of rework shipping boxes must match the order's "Number of Parcels".
Example: If Number of Parcels = 2, you must scan exactly 2 rework items marked as shipping boxes.
If counts don't match, shipment creation will fail with an error.
Use Case: Best for mixed-size shipments where each parcel has different dimensions.
Second Priority: Courier Service Extra Code 8
If rework dimensions aren't available, dimensions from Extra Code 8 are used:
Set in Shipping Management then select Courier Service Codes then Edit Service then Extra Code 8.
Format: Depth;Width;Height in centimetres (for example, 30;25;15).
Applied to all parcels in the shipment equally.
Useful as a default size for a specific service type.
Use Case: Standard-sized parcels for a particular service (for example, all small parcels use 30 by 25 by 15).
Third Priority: Product Dimensions
If Extra Code 8 isn't configured, product dimensions are used:
System finds the largest dimension from all products in the order.
Takes maximum Height, maximum Depth, maximum Width across all products.
Applied to all parcels in the shipment.
Automatically calculated – no configuration needed.
Use Case: Variable product sizes where the largest product determines parcel size.
Fourth Priority: Default Dimensions
If none of the above are available:
DHL's minimum acceptable dimensions are used as a last resort.
Not recommended – always configure dimensions explicitly.
Dimension Priority Override Behaviour
Important: Rework item dimensions override all other settings. If you scan any rework items marked Is Shipping Box, Extra Code 8 and product dimensions are ignored for that order.
Setting Dimensions via Extra Code 8
To configure default dimensions for a DHL Express service:
Click Shipping Management then select Extras.
Click Courier Service Codes.
Search for one of the DHL Express services.
Then, click Edit.
Enter the Dimensions in Extra Code 8 in the following format: Depth;Width;Height in centimetres.
Example: 30;25;15 creates a parcel 30cm deep, 25cm wide, and 15cm tall.
Format Explanation:
First number = Depth (front to back).
Second number = Width (left to right).
Third number = Height (bottom to top).
All measurements are in centimetres.
All three values are required.
Example: 30;25;15 means:
30cm depth.
25cm width.
15cm height.
Finally, click Update.
Repeat Steps 3 to 6 for additional services.
Best Practices
Use Extra Code 8 for service-specific default sizes (most common approach).
Use Rework Items when you need different dimensions per parcel in multi-parcel orders.
Verify Product Dimensions are accurate if relying on automatic calculation.
Always specify dimensions – don't rely on fallback defaults.
DHL Cost Integration for 3PL Invoicing
If you operate as a 3PL (third-party logistics provider) and want to invoice clients based on actual DHL shipping costs, you can enable DHL cost integration.
How It Works
DHL provides actual shipping cost when creating each shipment.
Mintsoft applies your markup using Variable Uplift Pricing rules.
Final cost appears on client invoice with your margin included.
This ensures your clients pay the actual DHL cost plus your service fee, without you needing to maintain complex rate tables.
Prerequisites
Before enabling DHL cost integration, you must:
Enable Variable Uplift Pricing for your clients.
Configure markup percentage or fixed amount per shipment.
Set minimum and maximum charge limits if desired.
Have DHL account with cost retrieval enabled.
Verify with DHL that your API credentials support rate retrieval.
Test in Test Mode first to confirm cost data is returned.
Enabling Cost Integration
Edit your DHL Express account.
Enable Use DHL Postage Cost to Invoice?.
Configure how costs should be applied: Option A: Always Use DHL Costs
Leave Prioritise Rate Table? disabled.
All DHL shipments will use actual DHL cost plus your markup.
Simple and automatic.
Option B: Rate Table with DHL Fallback
Enable "Prioritise Rate Table?".
System checks your custom rate tables first.
If no matching rate found, uses DHL cost plus markup.
Useful for having special pricing for certain destinations and services whilst using DHL costs for everything else.
Save your account settings.
Setting Up Variable Uplift Pricing
For each client that should be invoiced with DHL costs:
Navigate to Settings then select Clients then Select client then click Edit.
Go to Pricing tab.
Enable Variable Uplift Pricing.
Configure markup:
Percentage: Add X% to actual DHL cost (for example, 15% = 1.15 times multiplier).
Fixed Amount: Add £X to actual DHL cost (for example, £2.50 per shipment).
Minimum Charge: Ensure shipments never cost less than £X.
Maximum Charge: Cap shipments at £X maximum.
Save client settings.
Example Calculation
Scenario:
Actual DHL cost: £12.50.
Your markup: 20% plus £1.00 fixed.
Minimum charge: £5.00.
Maximum charge: £50.00.
Calculation:
Base cost: £12.50.
Percentage markup: £12.50 multiplied by 1.20 = £15.00.
Fixed markup: £15.00 plus £1.00 = £16.00.
Check limits: £16.00 is between £5.00 and £50.00.
Client invoiced: £16.00.
Rate Table Priority Example
With "Prioritise Rate Table?" enabled:
Order for DHL Express Worldwide to France.
Check rate table for DHL Express Worldwide to France.
Found: Use rate table price (£15.00).
Order for DHL Express Worldwide to Australia.
Check rate table for DHL Express Worldwide to Australia.
Not found: Use DHL cost plus markup (£28.50).
This gives you flexibility to have custom pricing for common destinations whilst automatic pricing for less common ones.
Summary
Integrating DHL Express into Mintsoft involves a multi-step process:
Register for and obtain DHL API credentials through the appropriate portal.
Add and configure your DHL Express account within Mintsoft using these credentials.
Set up shipping workflows, including Courier Service Selection rules and service mappings.
Optionally enable advanced features like DHL cost integration and return label generation. With these efforts, you can streamline your e-commerce shipping processes and leverage Mintsoft’s tools to optimize operations.