TMM vs DHL and FedEx: how to choose a courier service for interna...

International shipping today is not just logistics, but a strategic advantage for a business. Documents or product samples delivered on time often determine the success of a deal, and sometimes the future of cooperation with partners. Ukrainian companies traditionally focus on the world leaders in express delivery — DHL and FedEx — but are increasingly considering national operators as well, in particular TMM-Express.

In this article we compare the cost and terms of the international giants and the Ukrainian carrier, and also explain why TMM can be a more advantageous choice.

Delivery cost: where does a business save?
DHL and FedEx are global corporations with offices in hundreds of countries, a well-developed network and a high level of service. Their rates are formed according to standard international rules and hardly take local specifics into account. Delivery through them is, as a rule, more expensive. Added to the base price are:
•    fuel surcharges,
•    remote-area fees,
•    additional charges for urgency.
TMM works differently. Thanks to greater flexibility and a local approach, the company can keep its rates 20–40% lower than those of the global competitors.
For example:
•    delivery of documents (2 kg) to Poland (Warsaw): DHL — €105, FedEx — €55, TMM — €35;
•    shipping product samples (5 kg) to the USA (Atlanta, Georgia): DHL — €275, FedEx — €200, TMM — €146.

Speed and quality of service
DHL and FedEx have an undeniable advantage on a global scale: clear timeframes, online tracking at any stage, a wide network of pick-up points. But for a Ukrainian business the price/quality balance is often more important than speed "at any cost".
TMM optimises routes, offering adequate timeframes at a significantly lower cost. For most commercial shipments the difference in delivery is 1–2 days, but the savings can be substantial.

Advantages of TMM for Ukrainian companies
1.    Price. Savings of up to 40% without loss of quality.
2. Local expertise. The company knows Ukrainian realities: from the specifics of preparing documents to the nuances of dealing with customs.
3. Flexibility. A personalised approach, quick resolution of non-standard situations.
4.    Turnkey customs. DHL and FedEx offer basic customs clearance, but it often happens separately and can be complicated for the client. TMM, in cooperation with local partners, takes the process on itself.

What we offer our clients
Our company works with TMM and offers a single-window solution:
•    arranging international delivery at favourable rates;
•    preparation and support of documents;
•    consultations on foreign economic activity and customs procedures;
•    customs clearance on the basis of TMM — the client gets a ready-made solution without extra hassle.
We take the risks and the headache off the business, leaving only the result: delivered cargo and closed documents.

Why TMM is more advantageous compared with DHL and FedEx?
• Financial savings. For regular shipments this is tens of thousands of hryvnias a year.
• Client focus. It is often easier for a Ukrainian customer to come to an agreement with a local company than with a global office.
• Customs clearance as part of the service. This is especially valuable for those with no experience of dealing with customs.
• Comprehensiveness. Shipping, documents, customs clearance — all in one package.


For a Ukrainian business, international courier services are not a luxury but a working tool. DHL and FedEx remain the world leaders, but are not always the most optimal in terms of price. TMM offers an advantageous alternative, combining affordability, reliability and a deep understanding of local realities.
And with our help clients get even more: delivery + customs clearance in one solution. This saves time, money and nerves, allowing you to focus on the main thing — developing your business.