Purpose: learn how to avoid unwanted PostNL surcharges when your package does not meet the carrier shipping conditions.
PostNL Surcharges Belgium |
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| Surcharge | Description | Cost |
| Peak surcharges | Carriers apply peak season surcharges to maintain service during high shipping volumes. These cover extra costs like staffing and extended hours, and are added on top of regular surcharges. | |
| Energy surcharge | The Energy surcharge applies to all PostNL shipping methods within the Netherlands and Europe, except Mailbox and non-EU services. It varies monthly based on PostNL’s energy index. | Based on diesel and energy rates. More information here. |
| Incorrectly announced |
PostNL applies a surcharge if a parcel is incorrectly pre-announced. Examples include:
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€1.24 |
| Surcharge nature of packaging |
PostNL applies the NMG (Not Machine Suitable) surcharge when a parcel must be processed manually. Examples: - Glassware, flowers, or lab samples - “Fragile” marked packages - Tubes or irregular shapes - Label not placed horizontally on the longest side - Wood, metal, bubble wrap, or foam packaging - Bundled parcels - Unstable contents inside the box How to avoid it: - Avoid tubes and “fragile” markings - Place barcode horizontally on the longest side - Don’t tape parcels together - Use enough inner packaging to stabilize the contents This surcharge can be difficult to avoid. Contact Customer Service for packaging advice. |
€5.40 |
| Surcharge parcels >23kg | Applies to parcels over 23 kg up to 31.5 kg, requiring extra handling. | €5.40 |
| Exceeding maximum package dimensions |
This surcharge applies when a parcel is too large or heavy for standard delivery and must be handled via PostNL’s Extra@Home network. Max dimensions: How to avoid it: |
€88.15 |
| Volumetric surcharge | Carriers found that many parcels contain excess air. To reduce empty space and CO₂ emissions, PostNL applies a volumetric surcharge for parcels over 50 dm³. Formula: L × W × H (in dm) |
50–100 dm³ - €0.99 100–200 dm³ - €4.70 200 > dm³ - €10.70 |
| Return to Sender | Return costs are charged to the sender in cases like refusal, undeliverable parcels, incorrect addresses, or uncollected packages. | Return costs equal the original shipping fee. |
| Additional costs weight PostNL non-EU |
If the measured weight differs from the selected method, extra costs apply, depending on the destination. Volumetric weight also counts: use L × W × H / 7,500. |
Based on KG / shipment |
Please carefully read the shipping conditions to avoid the above surcharges. Make sure that you stay well within the permitted dimensions and ensure that the packaging meets the correct criteria.