DHL has reached a new operational milestone in Germany, setting a record for parcel volumes processed within a 24-hour period as peak season demand accelerates across Europe and global markets.
On December 2, DHL’s Post & Parcel Germany network handled approximately 12.4 million parcels in a single day, nearly double the volume of a typical operating day, highlighting the resilience and scalability of its nationwide logistics infrastructure.
1. Record-Breaking Performance During Peak Shopping Season
The surge in parcel volumes reflects the sharp rise in online shopping activity during the year-end peak season. As millions of gifts are ordered and shipped, DHL emphasized its commitment to ensuring timely and reliable deliveries across Germany.
Nikola Hagleitner, CEO of Post & Parcel Germany, noted that moments like these demonstrate DHL’s role beyond logistics operations. She highlighted the company’s pride in enabling meaningful connections by delivering gifts on time, helping create positive customer experiences during the holiday period.
2. Peak Volumes Extend Across DHL’s Global Networks
DHL expects the current week to be the busiest of the year for international shipments. Both DHL eCommerce—which provides cross-border and domestic delivery solutions for businesses across Europe, Asia, and the Americas—and DHL Express are processing parcel volumes significantly above daily averages.
According to Pablo Ciano, CEO of DHL eCommerce, peak season is fully underway and represents the most demanding period of the year for the DHL Group. Across the DHL eCommerce network, thousands of employees are working to maintain smooth operations. On the busiest day, the network is projected to handle over 14 million parcels, representing a 60% increase compared to normal daily volumes.
3. International Express Shipments See Strong Growth
DHL Express has also reported a notable increase in cross-border activity. International shipment volumes rose by approximately 20% between Thanksgiving on November 27 and Cyber Monday on December 1, driven by strong consumer demand for fast and reliable international delivery.
This growth underscores the importance of express services during high-demand shopping events, particularly for time-sensitive international e-commerce orders.
4. Peak Shopping Events Drive E-Commerce Dependency on Logistics
The rising pressure on parcel networks during peak season is echoed across the industry. A separate study by FedEx found that 88% of small businesses in Europe consider major shopping events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday to be critical to their revenue performance.
These findings highlight how essential robust logistics and parcel processing capabilities have become for businesses competing in peak e-commerce periods.
