Purpose: In this article we explain the surcharges that will apply to your shipment if it does not comply with DPD France's shipping conditions.
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Fuel surcharge
DPD France applies a fuel surcharge to all parcels. DPD France applies the air fuel surcharge to DPD Classic Intercontinental parcels and the road fuel surcharge to DPD Relais, Classic, Predict and Retour parcels.
This rate changes monthly. Click here for more information and for the rates applicable for the current month.
Volumetric weight
DPD France applies a weight/volume ratio to all parcels. The cost of the shipment is then calculated on the basis of the volumetric weight of the package. The volumetric weight is compared to the actual weight of the shipment. For billing purposes, the highest weight between the volumetric weight and the actual weight of the parcel will be used.
However, there is a maximum difference of 3 kg allowed between the actual weight and the volumetric weight. Example: if a package weights 2 kg (actual weight) and 5 kg (volumetric weight), there is only a difference of 3kg, which means that the volumetric weight is not applicable. DPD France will only charge the price of a 2 kg-package.
If the volumetric weight is greater than 30 kg, a surcharge of .30 cents per kg will be applied.
How to calculate the volumetric weight of a parcel?
At Sendcloud we have developed a calculator that will help you calculate the volumetric weight of your parcel and avoid surcharges. Click here for more information and to use the tool.
Billing of Surcharges for Exceeding Weight Limits
When the actual or volumetric weight of a parcel exceeds the limit allowed by the selected shipping method, the carrier applies additional charges.
How do French carriers apply these surcharges?
-
Initial label billing
- When a user creates a shipping label, the rate is based on the selected weight range.
- Example: Method X 0-1 kg for a 0.5 kg parcel.
-
Carrier weight verification
- Upon pickup, the carrier weighs the parcel or applies volumetric weight calculation (L x W x H / 5000).
-
Billing adjustment if the weight is higher
- If the actual or volumetric weight exceeds the selected range, an additional charge is applied.
- Example: If the parcel weighs 1.5 kg (or if its volumetric weight is 1.5 kg), the billing is adjusted to the next weight bracket (Method X 1-2 kg).
- Impact on fuel surcharge
-
- In some cases, the recalculated weight also affects the fuel surcharge, which is adjusted accordingly.
Why do users see two charges?
This process may appear as a double charge, but it consists of two separate steps:
✅ First charge: Based on the declared weight when creating the shipping label.
✅ Second charge: Adjustment based on the actual or volumetric weight of the parcel.
The carrier does not charge twice for the same label but applies a correction to reflect the final weight.
General surcharges - Non-compliant shipments
Surcharges |
Rates |
Explanation |
| Non standard shipments | 30.20 EUR/parcel | SHIPPING STANDARDS
National (DPD CLASSIC & Predict):
DPD Relais Pickup & Return:
DPD CLASSIC Europe:
DPD CLASSIC Intercontinental:
|
| Delivery address is a private address (DPD Classic) | 3.20 EUR/parcel | If the parcel is sent via DPD Classic instead of DPD Predict and the delivery address is a private address of an individual |
|
Overweight parcels |
20.20 EUR/parcel |
National, Europe, Intercontinental |
| Non-compliant shipments | 55 EUR/parcel |
Parcels that do not comply with DPD France's General Terms and Conditions of Sale National, Europe and Intercontinental |
| Manual label processing | 0.70 EUR/parcel | National, Europe, Intercontinental |
| Missing or incomplete information | 0.70 EUR/parcel | |
|
Non-Admitted Parcels: Non-Compliant Packaging |
50.20 EUR/parcel |
Applied per parcel for non-compliant packaging, covering additional handling and processing. |
|
Admissible but Non-Mechanizable Parcels: Length > 140 cm |
6.20 EUR/parcel |
Applied per parcel requiring manual sorting due to exceeding 140 cm in length. |
|
Illegible Label |
2.20 EUR/parcel |
Applied per parcel if the label is not readable, to cover the costs of manual processing. |
No parcels per pickup - 7.20 EUR
If you expect not to have any parcels on a given date and you have a recurring pickup organized, we strongly suggest that you cancel the pickup the day before by 17:00. Failure to cancel an "empty" pickup will result in a €7.20 surcharge per day. This surcharge can also apply to international shipments.
You can cancel a pickup via the pickup email that DPD has shared with you.
Shipments to the United Kingdom
DPD France applies a surcharge of 7.20 EUR per parcel for the declaration of a parcel to the UK (Incoterm DAP Export customs declaration).
Per Parcel Declaration - Incoterm E-DAP (BtoC only) - 7.20 EUR/parcel (To UK and Isle of Man)
Applies when the sender assumes responsibility for duties and taxes under the E-DAP Incoterm, exclusive to business-to-consumer transactions.
National-specific surcharges
Surcharges |
Rates |
Explanation |
| Islands off the coast of France | 19.58 EUR/parcel | Download the list of postal codes |
| Corsica | 19.58 EUR/parcel | All shipments to Corsica will have this surcharge |
| Difficult areas and mountain areas | 7.05 EUR/parcel | Download the list of postal codes |
| Failure of delivery if the recipient is absent | 4.20 EUR/parcel | A second attempt is not included in the rates |
| Surcharge for non-standard parcel (weight from 20 kg to 30 kg maximum) | 50.20 EUR/parcel | The maximum weight allowed (no surcharge) por shipments via DPD Relais is 20 kg |
| Return to sender | Price of the outbound parcel | Applied even if it's a forced return |
Europe-specific surcharges
Surcharges |
Rates |
Explanation |
| Return to sender | Price of outbound parcel | Applied even if it's a forced return |
| Islands in Europe | 25.60 EUR/parcel | Download the list of postal codes |
| Customs operations | 35.27 EUR/parcel | Andorra, Bosnia, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine |
| Shipments of a value of more than 1000 euros | 35.20 EUR/parcel | Shipments to Bosnia, Serbia, Norway, Ukraine |
| Incorrect, incomplete, or missing invoices | 20.20 EUR/parcel | Andorra, Bosnia, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine |
Intercontinental-specific surcharges
| Surcharges | Rates | Explanation |
| Change of address | 5.20 EUR/request | Each request for a change in the delivery address will generate a surcharge |
| Incorrect, incomplete, or missing invoices | 20.20 EUR/parcel | These documents are essential for customs clearance |
| Remote areas | 20.20 EUR/parcel | Additional charges are applied to offset the additional costs incurred when delivering to remote locations. |
| Empty pickup | 7.20 EUR/parcel | |
| Nonstandard parcels | 30.20 EUR/parcel | DPD CLASSIC Intercontinental : Poids maxaximum 30 kg / Longueur maximum 1,75m / Developpé maximum 3 m |
| Noncompliant parcels | 40.20 EUR/parcel | Parcels that do not comply with DPD France's General Terms and Conditions of Sale |
| Manual label | 0.70 EUR/parcel | |
|
Non-Admitted Parcels: Non-Compliant Packaging |
50 EUR/parcel |
Applied per parcel for non-compliant packaging, covering additional handling and processing. |
|
Admissible but Non-Mechanizable Parcels: Length > 140 cm |
6 EUR/parcel |
Imposed per parcel requiring manual sorting due to exceeding 140 cm in length. |
|
Illegible Label |
2.20 EUR/parcel |
Applied per parcel if the label is not readable, to cover the costs of manual processing. |
|
Safety Participation Fee |
1.06 EUR/parcel |
Applied as a Safety Participation Fee to enhance the security measures across our shipping and handling processes. |
European islands surcharges - 26.60 EUR/parcel
Shipments to European islands: Isle of Man, Balearic Islands Spain, Sardinia, Sicily, Azores, Madeira and all Greek islands.
Options surcharges
SMS - 0.17 EUR
To avoid the supplements mentioned above, please read carefully DPD France's terms and conditions of sale and make sure that your packages meet the necessary requirements.