Depending on the rapid development of cross-border e-commerce, e-commerce has become an important profit growth point for traditional logistics companies in the Middle East. Many logistics giants have also begun to realize that e-commerce is a “fat piece of meat”. Since the second half of 2018, investment and entrepreneurial projects in e-commerce logistics in the Middle East have begun to increase.
In early December 2018, Agility, a global logistics giant headquartered in Kuwait, announced that it would launch a digital logistics platform Shipa and invest $100 million in the next three years. In addition, Agility has hired Hassan Mikail, the former chief e-commerce officer of Aramex, to plan e-commerce distribution business.
No matter how the logistics in the Middle East will develop in the future, for cross-border e-commerce sellers, it should be most urgent to grasp the information of several important and mature logistics companies in the Middle East.
Aramex.
Aramex is the first local express company in the Arab region with a history of 35 years. It is also the only Arab company listed on NASDAQ. It has more than 100 franchise partners so far. Its network covers every corner of Arabia and is covering the world, with strong strength. According to Aramex officials, 80% of local deliveries in the Middle East are completed by them.
Aramex has two biggest advantages. First, in order to solve the problem of unclear addresses, Aramex mainly employs local people in the Middle East to deliver orders, because local people are more familiar with the local area, communication is smoother, and they know how to overcome the inconveniences unique to the Middle East and effectively reduce the rejection rate. Second, Aramex has very strict control over the cash on delivery business, and the sender has no risk. Generally, international express cash on delivery requires the sender to sign a letter of guarantee (if the recipient refuses to pay the freight, it will automatically change to the sender to pay), while Aramex
will confirm the payment with the sender for each parcel of cash on delivery in advance, and will arrange the shipment only after the recipient confirms the payment. The sender will not be asked to pay because the recipient refuses to pay. Generally, international express cash on delivery requires the sender and the recipient to hold an account of the courier company to which they are transferring, but Aramex express cash on delivery can be used even without an account, because whether or not there is an Aramex account, the staff will try to contact and the recipient to confirm the cash on delivery. The sender only needs to prepare the recipient’s information and four commercial invoices and hand over the goods to Ararmex. For sellers who are more concerned about the safety of payment, Aramex is a good choice.
It is worth mentioning that Arame attaches great importance to the logistics exchanges between China and the Middle East. In early 2012, Aramex and Sinotrans Air Transport Development Co., Ltd. jointly established Sinotrans Aramex International Air Express Co., Ltd., focusing on providing services for Chinese sellers who are developing the Middle East market.
Payment method: Support cash on delivery for e-commerce orders.
Official website link: htps://ww.aramex.comn/zh/.o
Fetchr.
Fetchr is headquartered in Dubai. The core competitiveness of the company is that it has a set of “mobile Internet logistics solutions”. The main “battlefield” is in second-tier and third-tier cities with backward infrastructure. It is committed to “delivering packages to places where post offices cannot deliver”, competing on timeliness and quality, and promoting the localization of logistics services in the Middle East.
Fetchr’s biggest advantage is that it can provide users with a complete and efficient logistics solution. Remote cities have backward logistics infrastructure, so Fetchr covers all aspects of the entire logistics supply chain from packaging, warehousing, customs clearance, etc. to the “last mile” delivery of users. The “same-day delivery” and “next-day delivery” services provided by Fetchr allow users to receive packages on time. Sellers whose user groups are in remote areas of the Middle East or sellers who care more about logistics timeliness can consider choosing Fetchr logistics.
Payment method: Cash on delivery for e-commerce orders is supported.
Official website link: htp://f/tchr.us/o
iMile.me.
The founding team of iMile.me is from China. The team is rooted in Dubai and focuses on providing Chinese e-commerce sellers with the “last mile” delivery in the Middle East, focusing on solving the cash on delivery problem. The core competitiveness of the company lies in providing a complete set of tailor-made solutions for Chinese sellers to go to the Middle East, and understanding both China and the Middle East.
iMile has two advantages in solving the biggest problem of shipping to the Middle East, namely, cash on delivery. One is speed, which means improving the timeliness of logistics. iMile provides users with One Stop Shop service. As long as customers need to store the goods in the domestic collection warehouse, iMile will provide a one-stop service from the domestic warehouse to the Dubai warehouse. It is to create in-depth boutique customer service. On the day when the goods arrive at the warehouse or are expected to arrive on the same day, iMile will help customers with customer service, select in advance, and quickly and accurately deliver the goods after agreeing on the time with the customer.
In terms of the collection cycle, iMile can currently collect payments once a week, which is relatively leading in the industry. Sellers who pay more attention to the security of the payment can consider iMile more.
Payment method: support cash on delivery for e-commerce orders.
Official website link: htp://cn.imile.me/ .
DDU.
DDU SHIPPING & LOGISTICS ILC (Emperor Capital Express) was founded in 1990 and is one of the oldest local companies in the UAE engaged in logistics and transportation. As the Chinese market has become an important part of the UAE, DDU has turned to business development in the Chinese market and is now engaged in comprehensive logistics services such as transportation agency, customs declaration, inspection and warehousing services for import and export goods by sea, land and air.
Currently, DDU focuses on import and export customs clearance and freight forwarding in Dubai, as well as “door-to-door” services from China to Dubai. In order to expand its business, DDU has set up branches in Shenzhen, Yangzhou, Yiwu, Qingdao and other places to provide customers with fast, efficient, professional and preferential logistics solutions.
Payment method: Support cash on delivery for e-commerce orders.
Official website link: htps://ww ddugroup.com/ENaboutus.asp
Some other logistics companies worth paying attention to.
The above four logistics companies are the most well-known logistics companies in the Middle East market. Although large companies have more guaranteed services, they often charge higher fees. Next, we recommend several other good logistics companies to provide sellers with more choices.
(I) Q Express
Souq, the largest local e-commerce company, has encountered the challenge of “last-mile” delivery since its inception and has been looking for solutions in local delivery. Q Express is a logistics company built by Souq, which specializes in providing “last-mile” delivery services for Souq. Currently, all orders on the Souq platform are delivered by Q Express. Souq buyers can enter the order number and track the logistics status on Q Express.
Q Express stated on its official website that their advantage is to provide cash on delivery (COD) services that most logistics companies do not provide. In addition, all Q Express couriers carry PDA devices to update the delivery status of goods at any time; Q Express has multiple transportation outlets in the Middle East to facilitate the receipt, delivery and return of goods.
Payment method: Supports cash on delivery for e-commerce orders.
Official website link: htpt://www gexpresstrucking com/e
(II) Wing.ae
Founded in 2016 and headquartered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Wing.ae is an e-commerce logistics service platform and another attempt made by Souq in local delivery. It was acquired by Souq in 2017.
Unlike the above logistics companies, Wing.ae does not have couriers. It is a B2B service platform that plays the role of a connector between e-commerce and express delivery. It has reached cooperation with more than 20 local express delivery companies in the UAE. At present, this platform mainly handles small tasks from envelopes to standard packaging. The service is not limited to the Souq platform itself, but is open to all merchants and express delivery companies.
Payment method: Supports cash on delivery for e-commerce orders.
Official website link: htps://www.wing.ae/.
(III) One Click
Founded in 2015, One Click is a technology platform created by Hassan Hallas. It connects drivers with businesses that need to provide delivery services. The entire delivery and payment process is supported by technology. Currently, the platform has functions such as delivery management, GPS location tracking, route optimization, and automatic notification of customers.
At the end of December 2017, One Click announced that it had received investment from MEVP. According to the average investment amount of MEVP, the investment amount should be more than millions of dollars, or even more.
Payment method: Supports cash on delivery for e-commerce orders.
Official website link: htps:/:/eclickmoney.nu/.