Purpose: learn how to avoid unwanted DHL surcharges for international shipments, when your package does not meet the carrier's shipping conditions.
When do surcharges apply?
DHL eCommerce may apply additional surcharges when a shipment falls outside its standard shipping conditions or requires additional handling. These charges are determined by the carrier and may be added after your shipment has been processed.
Common reasons why a surcharge may apply include:
- Exceeds DHL's maximum weight or dimension limits.
- Is delivered to a remote or offshore area.
- Requires an additional service, such as a return, booked delivery, or BFPO delivery.
- Does not meet DHL's shipping conditions and requires extra handling.
Reviewing these conditions before shipping can help you avoid unexpected charges.
International surcharges | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Surcharge | Description | Cost | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Volumetric weight |
Volumetric weight is used when shipping costs are based on the size of the parcel rather than its actual weight. Large but lightweight parcels may still incur higher charges. Under-Declaration Surcharge |
£0.35 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fuel Surcharge |
- DHL Road Economy IOSS: Fuel included in price. - DHL Road Economy NON-IOSS: -Fuel is already included for: FR, DE, IE, IT, NL, ES - Fuel is not included, more info here |
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| DDP Admin Surcharge | An additional fee for using Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) instead of Delivery At Place (DAP). | £13.20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Out of Gauge (OOG) | This fee is applied to any shipment larger than 120cm x 60cm x 60 cm. | £50.20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Undeliverable Parcel | Applied for parcels that cannot be delivered and are returned. | £20.20 + admin charge | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Additional Charge per Kg | Applied for parcels that exceed the maximum allowable weight (30 kg) or if the actual weight is higher than declared. | Price by Country
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Where can I see these surcharges on my invoice?
Surcharges are applied by the carrier after the shipment has been processed and may not be visible when you create the label.
You can find these charges in your Sendcloud account via Account > Billing, where you can download your invoice in PDF or CSV format:
- PDF invoice: Shows a summary of your total costs, including surcharges.
- CSV invoice: Shows a detailed breakdown per shipment, including the tracking number, shipping cost, and any applied surcharges.
💡 Tip: Use the tracking number in the CSV to identify which shipment a surcharge applies to.
For a full explanation of how shipping costs and surcharges are invoiced and how to read them, see Shipment invoicing.
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).