BONN: March 11, 2019. DHL Global Forwarding’s Start-up Helpdesk in Berlin is supporting Japanese e-tailer ZOZO with its market launch in Germany.

With ZOZO already selling its custom-fitted apparel in over 70 countries, consumers in Germany can now also use the ZOZO app to have individualized t-shirts, shirts and pants delivered to their home.

DHL’s tailored supply chain solution for ZOZO includes transport by rail, air and ocean freight from China to Germany, customs clearance services, as well as the last mile delivery to customers via DHL Parcel and Deutsche Post.

For ZOZO customers, it all begins with free delivery of the ultra-thin ZOZOSUIT via DHL parcel for customers in Germany or Deutsche Post’s new international commodity mail service (Warenpost International) for European customers.

A tight-fitting black bodysuit featuring some 350 electronic measurement points, the ZOZOSUIT combines with the special ZOZO-APP to create a 3D-rendering of the body via the customer’s smartphone, which ZOZO then uses to produce perfectly fitting clothes. Thousands of ZOZOSUITS are sent every month through Europe’s postal network.

Currently, ZOZO produces its custom-made apparel in China. DHL Global Forwarding handles transport from ZOZO’s production facilities in Wuxi, Lianyungang and Qingdao to Germany, along with customs clearance. As part of its service, DHL applied for a deferment account so that ZOZO can avoid paying import sales tax directly (19 percent of the merchandise value) and manage cash flow more effectively. Shipments are then delivered to ZOZO’s customer warehouse in Ludwigsfelde, Germany.

Additional ZOZO shipments originate in Shenzhen, where ZOZO’s fulfillment partner packs and labels the DHL packages and bundles them for weekly air freight delivery to Frankfurt. After clearing customs, these are then delivered by truck to DHL’s parcel center in Obertshausen. From there, DHL Parcel takes over to handle domestic and international deliveries directly to end customers.

“By combining the customized logistics solutions offered by both DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Parcel, we were able to create a secure and trouble-free supply chain for ZOZO,” explained Nicolai Rehberg from the DHL Start-up Helpdesk.

DHL’s solution also takes advantage of the Belt & Road Initiative. Late in 2018, DHL rail service brought the first containers from Nantong to Germany via the new Silk Road. With a transit time of approximately 20 days, the rail connection offers a good alternative to ocean freight according to the company.