Purpose: learn how to avoid unwanted DHL surcharges when your package does not meet the carrier's shipping conditions.

These surcharges can be charged when the package does not meet the DHL conditions. The carrier decides whether a package does or does not meet the requirements when the package arrives at the sorting centre. This is the reason why surcharges are not applied at label creation but will be invoiced afterward on your Sendcloud invoice. You can receive these general surcharges when shipping using all DHL shipping methods. Therefore, please read this section carefully.

Domestic Shipments

DHL operates using a zone system, please refer to the following table for a visual representation of these zones.

Service Offering:
Eligible Zones for Shipping: Shipments from Zones A and B to Zones A, B, C, or D.
Pricing and Surcharges:
Within Zones A and B: Pricing is valid without additional surcharges. To Zones C and D: Surcharges are applicable for shipments.
Service limitations:
Next Day and Timed Services: Limitations apply. Mainland UK to Northern Ireland: The fastest available service is 2 days.

To check the delivery postcodes, visit DHL Postcode Availability.

Overview of Surcharges

Above 5kg - £0.39 / Kg

The standard rate is valid for parcels up to 5 kg.
A surcharge is applicable per kg, above 5 kg. The purchasing price of this surcharge is £0.39 per kg

Isle of Wight / Scilly Isles - £6.19

The Isle of Wight and Scilly Isles surcharge is a fee applied by DHL for shipments to these specific locations. This surcharge helps cover the additional logistical costs associated with delivering to remote or less accessible areas.

Return to sender - £2.50

This fee will apply if a package is returned to the sender due to delivery issues.

No pickup fee - £6.19

DHL may apply a surcharge if there are no shipments to pick up. This surcharge is levied to compensate for operational costs incurred even when there are no packages to collect. Please, ensure that there are shipments ready for pickup to avoid these additional costs.

Swap Out - £4.70

It is a specific service whereby the driver delivers and waits for a return, he will not deliver without the return parcel being handed to him and will perform a number of checks, this is predominantly used for mobile / tech replacement services. Swap-Out is available upon request by account, DHL will review the product and volumes to ensure the service would be best suited for that particular retailer.

Booked in delivery - £13.49

This fee is applied when a delivery requires a scheduled appointment. It covers the extra time and effort needed to arrange, coordinate, and handle the delivery at a specific time, ensuring that someone is available to receive the package.

Out of range - £20.20 / item

This charge will apply when two sides of the parcel are 80cm or greater.

Long length - £15.20 / item

The "Long Length" surcharge will apply to any item with a single side between 120cm and 199cm.

Extra long length - £20.20 / item

The "Extra long length" surcharge will apply to any item with a single side 200cm or greater.

Heavyweight item - £15.20 / item

This charge will apply to any item weighing over 30 Kg.

Delivery to BFPO address - £11.19 / item 

The "BFPO Address Delivery Surcharge" is a fee applied by DHL for deliveries to British Forces Post Office (BFPO) addresses. This surcharge is necessary due to the unique nature of these addresses, which require special handling (like security checks) and routing (e.g. delivery to military bases).

Manual Handling charges (MHC)

These charges apply to shipments that require manual handling due to their weight. The MHC is a fee imposed by DHL to cover the additional labour and resources needed to handle heavier packages that cannot be processed through standard automated systems.

Breakdown of Charges:

• MHC 26-50 kg: No extra charge (0.00)
• MHC 51-75 kg: No extra charge (0.00)
• MHC 76-100 kg: No extra charge (0.00)
• MHC 101-200 kg: £7.99 per shipment
• MHC 200+ kg: £9.99 per shipment
  

Volumetric weight - £0.35

Volumetric Weight Calculation:
Volumetric weight is used to determine the shipping cost based on the size of the package rather than its actual weight. It is calculated using the formula:

This means that larger packages, even if they are light, may incur higher shipping costs.

Under-Declaration Surcharge:

If a package's declared weight is found to be less than its actual weight, an under-declaration surcharge is applied.

This surcharge consists of two components:

• Correct Weight Charge: The correct weight will be used to recalculate the shipping cost.
• Additional Surcharge: An extra charge of £0.35 will be added for the discrepancy.

Congestion surcharge - £0.85 / shipment

The congestion surcharge is a fee applied by DHL for shipments delivered to specific postcodes that are affected by high traffic and congestion. This surcharge helps DHL manage the increased operational costs and delays associated with delivering to these areas.

For a list of affected postcodes and more information, visit DHL City Congestion Charge.

Fuel Surcharge - 14% of the purchase

The fuel surcharge is a fee applied by DHL to account for fluctuations in fuel costs. This surcharge helps DHL manage the variable expenses associated with fuel prices.

For further details, visit the DHL Fuel Surcharge page.

Surcharge re-delivery - £3.70 / shipment

The re-delivery surcharge is applied when DHL is unable to deliver a package on the first attempt and additional delivery attempts are needed. This surcharge covers the costs associated with making a second or third delivery attempt.

Details:

• When Applied: When a delivery cannot be completed on the first attempt, necessitating a second or third attempt.
• Customer Notifications: If the recipient's contact information is provided during booking, DHL will send several notifications with alternative delivery options, such as:
  Leave in a safe place
  Leave with a neighbour
  Divert to a PUDO (Pick-Up Drop-Off) location

International Shipments

Shipping methods

• DHL Road Economy IOSS
• DHL Road Economy NON-IOSS

Volumetric weight - £0.35

Volumetric Weight Calculation:
Volumetric weight is used to determine the shipping cost based on the size of the package rather than its actual weight. It is calculated using the formula:

This means that larger packages, even if they are light, may incur higher shipping costs.

Under-Declaration Surcharge:

If a package's declared weight is found to be less than its actual weight, an under-declaration surcharge is applied.

This surcharge consists of two components:

• Correct Weight Charge: The correct weight will be used to recalculate the shipping cost.
• Additional Surcharge: An extra charge of £0.35 will be added for the discrepancy.

Fuel Surcharge 

• DHL Road Economy IOSS: Fuel included in price.
• DHL Road Economy NON-IOSS:
  • Fuel is already included for the following Countries: FR, DE, IE, IT, NL, ES
  • Fuel is not included for other destinations, more info on DHL Fuel Surcharge page.

DDP Admin Surcharge - £13.20

An additional fee for using Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) instead of Delivery At Place (DAP).

Out of Gauge (OOG) - £50.20

This fee is applied to any shipment larger than 120cm x 60cm x 60 cm.

Undeliverable Parcel - £20.20 + admin charge

Applied for parcels that cannot be delivered and are returned.

Additional Charge per Kg

Applied for parcels that exceed the maximum allowable weight (30 kg) or if the actual weight is higher than declared.

Important information about rates & services

You acknowledge and agree that all goods being returned to you or being collected from the one-third party for delivery to another will be carried at your sole risk. DHL eCommerce UK does not accept any liability under any circumstances for any loss or damage to such goods (howsoever caused).