# DHL Strengthens Express Air Freight Between China and Europe **Category:** Companies | **Source:** Frachtportal Redaktion | **Published:** 2026-08-20 | **Updated:** 2026-09-12 **Tags:** DHL Express, Shenzhen, Shanghai, Brüssel, Boeing 767, Luftfracht, Heavyweight Express, China, Europa, Halbleiter, Pharma, Express, Logistik News, Transport News, Fracht News, Speditions News, Supply Chain News, Zoll News, Frachtportal News, Seefracht, Digitalisierung, Zoll > DHL is expanding its gateway in Shenzhen and launching a daily freighter rotation from Shanghai. This creates more capacity for heavy and time-critical shipments. --- DHL Express is expanding its infrastructure and air freight network in China. The company has invested 177 million euros in the expansion of its so-called Super Gateway at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport. According to DHL, this is the largest investment the company has made on mainland China to date. The processing capacity of the facility has been tripled. The gateway can now handle approximately 900 tonnes of shipments per day. This benefits exporters from South China in particular, including companies from major production regions around Shenzhen and the Pearl River Delta. Additionally, DHL has introduced a daily freighter rotation with a Boeing 767. The route runs from Shanghai via Bangkok and Bahrain to Brussels and subsequently back to Shanghai. According to DHL, this creates up to 50 tonnes of additional capacity per day. For practical purposes, it is important to note: the expansion in Shenzhen and the new flight connection from Shanghai are two separate measures. The new rotation is not a direct Shenzhen-Brussels connection. Shippers must therefore carefully verify which Chinese gateway actually processes their shipment. The additional capacity is particularly aimed at heavy and time-critical express shipments. DHL lists technology, industrial manufacturing, semiconductors, healthcare, data centre infrastructure and new energy sources as growth areas. This applies, for example, to server technology, spare parts, machine components or high-value electronic components. Pharmaceutical shipments can also be of interest in principle. However, the new connection is not automatically a designated pharma route with guaranteed temperature control. Temperature-controlled environment, packaging, monitoring requirements and clearance must be clarified prior to booking. --- For dispatch planning, an additional express option emerges between Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. It can be particularly attractive when heavy shipments need to be transported faster than with conventional air freight and with continuous shipment tracking. Before booking, the departure gateway, acceptance deadline, maximum piece weights, dimensions, and available daily capacity should be clarified. The mentioned 50 tons apply to the entire rotation and are not automatically available to every customer. For semiconductors, servers, and other high-value technology, secure packaging, shock and tilt control, and insurance coverage are also important. For pharmaceuticals, temperature management and regulatory requirements must be added. Customs documentation for transit and destination countries must also be properly prepared. In short: DHL is creating more express capacity, but shippers should carefully verify the route, product approval, and actually available capacity before every booking. --- DHL published the expansion plans on August 11, 2026. 177 million euros were invested in the Shenzhen Super Gateway. The gateway is located at Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport. Processing capacity has been tripled to approximately 900 tons per day. According to DHL, the expansion will create more than 1,000 jobs. The new Boeing 767 rotation flies daily Shanghai–Bangkok–Bahrain–Brussels–Shanghai. The connection provides up to 50 tons of additional capacity per day. According to DHL, the Heavyweight Express offering allows up to 1,000 kilograms per piece and 3,000 kilograms per shipment. DHL identifies technology, semiconductors, healthcare, and data center infrastructure as important growth areas. ## Related Entities ### Countries - [Liechtenstein](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/li) - [Lithuania](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/lt) - [Belgium](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/be) - [Luxembourg](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/lu) - [Slovenia](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/si) - [Croatia](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/hr) - [Ireland](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ie) - [Romania](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ro) - [Germany](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/de) - [China](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/cn) - [France](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/fr) - [Italy](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/it) - [Netherlands](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/nl) - [Spain](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/es) - [Austria](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/at) - [Poland](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/pl) - [Czechia](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/cz) - [Sweden](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/se) - [Denmark](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/dk) - [Norway](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/no) - [Portugal](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/pt) - [Hungary](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/hu) - [Bulgaria](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/bg) - [Slovakia](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/sk) - [Cyprus](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/cy) - [Estonia](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ee) - [Greece](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/gr) - [Latvia](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/lv) - [Malta](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/mt) - [Iceland](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/is) - [Finland](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/fi) ### Airports - [Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport (SZX)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/shenzhen-baoan-international-airport-szx) - [Bahrain International Airport (BAH)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/bahrain-international-airport-bah) - [Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/suvarnabhumi-airport-bkk) - [Brussels Airport (BRU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/brussels-airport-bru) ### Glossary - [Booking](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/booking) - [Export](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/export-2) - [Exporter](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/exporter) - [Freight](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/freight) - [Shipment](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/shipment) - [Packaging](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/packaging) - [Air Cargo](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/air-cargo) - [Air freight](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/air-freight) - [Airline](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/airline) - [Airborne](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/airborne) - [Aircraft](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/aircraft) - [Airline Operations](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/airline-operations) - [Airplane](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/airplane) - [Express Delivery Air Cargo](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/express-delivery-air-cargo) - [Freighter Capacity](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/freighter-capacity) - [Freighter rotation](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/freighter-rotation) --- *Canonical URL: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/dhl-staerkt-express-luftfracht-zwischen-china-und-europa-20260819181241](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/dhl-staerkt-express-luftfracht-zwischen-china-und-europa-20260819181241)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/dhl-staerkt-express-luftfracht-zwischen-china-und-europa-20260819181241](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/dhl-staerkt-express-luftfracht-zwischen-china-und-europa-20260819181241)*