DHL Express Introduces AI Feature to Simplify International Shipping

DHL Express Indonesia (DHL)

DHL Express has launched an artificial intelligence (AI) based item identification feature in Indonesia. The feature utilizes computer vision technology to analyze photos of items uploaded by customers and instantly generate an accurate description of the item and comply with customs requirements.

This innovation is claimed to be the first in the global express delivery industry to integrate computer vision-based item identification technology directly into the flow of ordering international express services.

Through this feature, customers can simplify one of the stages that have been quite complex in the cross-border delivery process, namely the preparation of a description of goods for customs requirements.

Customers simply take a picture of the goods to be sent using a smartphone or other device connected to the internet. The AI system then processes the photo through a server-based computer vision model to identify objects and generate a structured description of the goods according to international documentation standards and customs provisions in seconds.

The resulting description can then be reviewed, edited, or adjusted by the customer before the shipment is submitted. Customers also do not need to have a DHL Express account to use the feature so that the shipping process becomes simpler and easier to access.

The launch of this feature is part of DHL Express' commitment to simplify cross-border shipping through practical and customer-centric innovations.

Until now, the preparation of a description of goods to meet customs requirements often requires special knowledge and the right choice of words. By integrating AI into the shipping order process, DHL Express seeks to reduce dependence on manual input, improve data quality, and reduce the risk of delays in the shipping and customs process.

Senior Technical Advisor DHL Express Indonesia Ahmad Mohamad said that meeting customs requirements is still one of the challenges for Indonesian business actors, especially micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) who want to expand their markets abroad.

"With Indonesia's economic growth projected to reach around 5 percent in 2026, we see opportunities that continue to open for business actors to expand into the global market," Ahmad said in his statement, Friday, August 14.

According to him, the AI-based identification feature of goods can help business actors prepare shipments by providing more accurate information on goods from the start.

"Thus, business actors can reduce the time to handle documentation and focus more on serving customers and developing business in the international market," he added.

Senior Director of IT DHL Express Indonesia Yonata Bastian said the technology was designed to simplify processes that have long relied on manual input and the experience of each sender.

"By helping customers identify and describe the contents of the shipment more accurately, we can improve the quality of data from the beginning of the delivery process. This not only simplifies the customer experience, but also supports better efficiency along the delivery chain," said Yonata.

For years, the international express service industry has relied on shippers to self-declare the contents of shipments with limited guidance on how to properly describe goods for customs purposes.

Although the customs documentation system continues to evolve, the preparation of the description of goods is basically still done manually and text-based. The process also depends heavily on the understanding of the sender of the provisions of the customs authority.

Through computer vision technology, DHL Express is trying to make the process simpler. With one photo, customers can get recommendations for item descriptions that can be used as the basis for shipping documentation.

The implementation of this feature also marks DHL Express's step in expanding the application of AI in the logistics sector. The goods identification technology is already available in more than 30 countries and markets, with the expansion of implementation to continue throughout 2026.

DHL Express stated that the innovation is expected to increase the accuracy of goods information, reduce the risk of delays, speed up the customs process, and provide a more convenient international shipping experience for customers.