More than 15 years with DHL and Magento - how our collaboration developed
What began in 2010 with an initial technical order is now a growing partnership of equals: Netresearch has been supporting DHL in the development and integration of official shipping solutions for the Magento ecosystem for over 15 years. Today, we are not just a technical service provider, but a premium partner - with full responsibility for the further development, support and future-proofing of the DHL extensions for Magento.
The starting signal: First modules for Magento 1
Our collaboration with DHL began in 2010, when we developed the first DHL module for Magento 1 - a solution that enabled retailers to send shipping orders directly from their online shop to DHL. A real milestone for anyone who wanted to make their shipping processes more efficient - and the foundation for everything that followed.
Magento 2 - new platform, new concept
With the release of Magento 2 in 2017, our joint DHL shipping solution also had to be adapted. Despite the significantly more complex architecture of the new platform, we were determined to take on this challenge. Based on our many years of experience in the Magento ecosystem, specific user feedback and new possibilities in the DHL infrastructure, we developed a completely new, modular concept for the DHL Shipping Extension for Magento 2.
Always with the common goal of making all shipping processes as simple and convenient as possible for end customers and retailers with the entire DHL service portfolio in the shop. At the same time, we want to give every retailer the freedom they are used to in designing their individual system.
Transparency and community: the path to an open source solution
2019 marked a significant milestone in the further development of our DHL Extensions. By making the source code publicly available, we enabled the community to actively contribute to improvements, bug fixes and new ideas - an important step towards greater transparency and innovation. Our joint appearance with DHL at MagentoLive Europe in Barcelona also impressively emphasised the strategic depth and growing trust of our partnership.
Suitable for everyday use and user-friendly - the enhancements from 2020
In 2020, we gave the DHL Shipping Extension for Magento 2 a comprehensive overhaul with a particular focus on everyday usability. New functions such as label printing directly in the backend made it much easier to use. Further improvements followed in the summer, including the integration of additional interfaces to DHL services and a comprehensively optimised user interface. This made shipping processes even faster, smoother and more efficient.
Shipping processes directly in the system - 2021 focussed on usability
In 2021, the focus was on user-friendliness. The Magento backend was expanded to include integrated returns, recipient services and other practical functions. Numerous shipping processes can now be handled directly in the shop system - without media disruptions or manual detours.
New features for more flexibility - since 2022
Numerous other new features have been introduced since 2022 that make retailers' day-to-day work much easier: support for Warenpost International, parcel shop integration, CSV import and a sophisticated configuration check. These enhancements minimise sources of error and make it easy to activate new options.
2025 - A strong partnership in constant change
More than 15 years after the first joint module, we are now a premium partner of DHL and responsible for the official DHL extensions in the Magento environment. We consistently continue to develop, listen carefully and implement improvements on an ongoing basis - because we know how crucial stable and flexible shipping solutions are for success in e-commerce. This is how real partnerships work.
Everything included: Supported products and services
As a premium partner, our solution supports the extensive portfolio that is fundamentally available to DHL Paket business customers. Companies benefit from a comprehensive selection of integrated product and service options that cover all shipping requirements - from national standard parcels and international premium solutions to special recipient services - and can be optimally integrated into existing business processes:
Integrated product services:
- Store routing (DHL Paket)
- Cash on delivery (DHL Paket)
- Age verification (DHL Paket)
- Transport insurance (DHL Paket)
- Bulky goods (DHL Paket)
- Recipient signature (DHL Paket)
- Transport insurance (DHL Paket International)
- Premium (DHL Paket International)
- CDP - Closest Drop Point (DHL Paket International)
- PDDP - Postal Delivered Duty Paid (DHL Paket International)
- Transport insurance (DHL Europaket)
- Branch routing (DHL Small Parcel)
- Premium (DHL Warenpost International)
Integrated recipient services:
- Drop-off location
- Parcel notification
- Delivery day
- Packing station
- Post office
- Neighbour
- GoGreen Plus
If you would like to find out more about the development of our DHL partnership, technical milestones and the benefits for retailers, please take a look at our DHL case study.
Conclusion: a partnership that works
These developments show how real digitalisation can arise from technical responsibility - if you not only meet requirements, but also think ahead, provide long-term support and take responsibility.
Netresearch is more than just a module supplier. We are a partner, enabler and co-designer of digital processes - at DHL and for everyone who wants to lead their business processes into the future in a smart, stable and scalable way.
This is because we believe that digitalisation can deliver real value when it reduces complexity, relieves people and enables business growth.
To achieve this, we develop solutions that integrate seamlessly, grow with you - and pave the way for better processes, more informed decisions and stronger customer experiences.
