Purpose: learn how to avoid unwanted DHL surcharges when your package does not meet the carrier 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 in the sorting centre. This is the reason why surcharges are not applied at label creation, but will be invoiced afterwards on your Sendcloud invoice. You can receive these general surcharges when shipping with all DHL shipping methods. Therefore, please read this section carefully. Additionally, we also advise to check the specific surcharges that apply to the shipping method you are using in the section Surcharge over maximum limits. Would you like to ship a pallet with DHL Europlus pallet? You can find the conditions and surcharges in these articles.
Fuel surcharge
Due to the continuous increase of the fuel prices, Sendcloud is forced to introduce the fuel surcharge for DHL. During the second half of 2021, we've taken the loss due to the increasing fuel prices on us. This was with the assumption that prices would eventually go down/normalize again. Considering the current political situation and the economical climate, we don't expect this'll happen any time soon. Because of this we've introduced a fuel surcharge. For more information on fuel surcharges click here. We've negotiated different terms with DHL NL. This means that we have a cap at 14%. Therefore, the percentages shown in Sendcloud might be lower than on the website of the carrier.
Drop off label not scanned at parcel shop - €1.00
If you create a DHL Drop Off shipping label but do not hand the parcel over to a parcel shop/service point, you will receive this surcharge with the description, "Drop off label not scanned at parcel shop". If you add this shipping method, but you don't use the shipping labels because, for example, the package is not returned, then you will not be billed for this surcharge.
Customs surcharge - €32.50
Whenever you ship to a country that requires customs handling, a surcharge will be taken into account. Customs handling applies to countries outside the EU and Switzerland and Norway.
Surcharge for Wadden Islands - €5.70 per package/€32.70 per pallet
An amount of €5.70 will be charged for a package and €32.70 for a pallet when shipping to one of the Wadden Islands.
Surcharge remote area - €0.35 per kg with a minimum of €17.75 (NL)
This surcharge will be applied when the destination address is remote or hard to reach. An amount of €0.35 per kg, with a minimum of €17.75, will be charged for those destinations.
Surcharge new label - €1.10
If DHL must print a new label, you will be charged €1.10 for the relabelling. This may occur for various reasons, including:
- Illegible barcode
- The original label contains errors
- Label not attached on the longest side (package is scanned from above)
- Address correction
How can I prevent this surcharge?
- Make sure your label is printed clearly in bold black ink and easily readable.
- If your label is scratched or the barcode is misprinted, reprint it before shipping.
Surcharge return to sender - A flat fee of €1.45 (NL) + the outbound rate
- Carriers including DHL charge a fee for parcels which cannot be delivered and are, therefore, returned by the carrier to the sender.
- A flat fee of 1.45 EUR + the outbound rate will be applied to all return parcels, regardless of the return reason.
- Note: The return rate is in addition to the already charged shipped fee for the outbound shipment. For example, if you paid €6.00 for the outbound shipment and the parcel is returned, DHL will charge an additional €7.45 on your invoice (outbound fee + €1.45).
A: No. This fee only applied to parcels which cannot be delivered due to reasons such as the below:
- Customer refuses the shipment
- Customer misses the delivery attempt
- Delivery address is incorrect
- Customer does not collect the package from the DHL pickup location on time
Pick-up fee - €4.50 per pickup
DHL has introduced a pickup fee of €4.50 per pickup when an average of less than 4 parcels are picked up. This fee will be calculated as follows at the end of each month:
If a month has 22 working days, you should allow at least 22 x 4 =88 parcels that month. So, for example, if you only hand in 62 parcels during that month then you have handed over (88-62 =) 26 parcels too little.
This number will then be divided by 4 (average number of packages to be given per pickup) = 6.5. This means results in a total of 7 pickups that month where less than 4 packages were handed over.
The total pickup fee for that month will then amount to 7 x €4.50 = €31.50.
Surcharge Europallet exchange service (only possible within Benelux) - €3.55
DHL takes care of the balance registration and ensures that shipped Europallets are returned in good condition within 4 weeks (€3.55). This applies to both Euro pallet shipments with a single destination and those with multiple destinations.Surcharge over maximum limits
This surcharge will be applied when the weight or dimensions exceed the limits that are mentioned in the carrier's conditions. The specifications may differ per shipping method. For this reason, we recommend to check the DHLforyou, DHL Europlus and DHL Parcel connect surcharge section as well.
DHLForYou 2.0 surcharges
These surcharges will be charged when your package doesn't meet the DHLForYou conditions. Please also check the general surcharges which apply for all DHL shipments.
Surcharges based on weight and/or dimensions
DHLForYou 2.0 uses (volumetric) weight brackets. See the DHLForYou 2.0 explained article for further information. These brackets affect the shipping price. If you select the wrong size you will see a correction on a later invoice. Instead of receiving a surcharge, you will be charged the difference between the package size you selected and the actual size of your package.
On top of that, the regular outside of specification surcharges still apply.
Surcharge for packaging - €7.45
This surcharge will be charged when the parcel has to be processed manually.
A few examples:
- Indications on package such as "Fragile" or "Handle with care"
- Label placement: Label is not placed in the right way (horizontally on the longest side of the package)
- Packaging: Wood and metal, sealed packages and films (eg bubble wrap) or Styrofoam, shipping bags
- Combining multiple boxes into one package with tape or other binding material
- Content is not secured in the box (slides back and forth)
- Round tubes
How can I prevent this surcharge?
To avoid this surcharge, we advise you to pay close attention to the packaging.
- Do not use round tubes
- Avoid stickers or other indications on the package (such as "fragile")
- Paste the label with the barcode horizontally on the longest side of the box
- Do not attach packages to each other
- Make sure there is sufficient filling (inner packaging) so that the contents do not slide around during transport
This surcharge is one of the most difficult surcharges to avoid, since you have to take into account several factors. For more packaging guidelines, you can check our general article here or contact us for advice.
Surcharge DHLforyou Letterbox - €1.00
Larger than 38x26.5x3.2 cm but smaller than 80x60x50 cm, or heavier than 2 kg but lighter than 23 kg.
Surcharge outside of specifications (large) - €7.45 or €23.70
|
From |
To |
Specifications |
Costs |
| NL | NL | Larger than 120x60x60 cm, but smaller than 180x100x50 cm | €7.45 |
| NL | BE | Larger than 80x60x50 cm, but smaller than 120x60x60 cm | €7.45 |
| NL | BE | Larger than 120x60x60 cm, but smaller than 180x100x50 cm | €23.70 |
Surcharge outside of specifications (extra large) - €49.70
|
From |
To |
Specifications |
Costs |
| NL | NL | Larger than 180x100x50 cm, but smaller than 240x100x200 cm | €27.70 |
| NL | BE | Larger than 180x100x50 cm, but smaller than 240x100x200 cm | €27.70 |
Surcharge outside of specifications (heavy) - €4.45
Heavier than 20 kg but lighter than 31,5 kg.
Surcharge outside of specifications (extra heavy) - varies per shipping country
Packages which are heavier than 31,5 kg will be charged at the price of a pallet tariff + €16.70. This may cost you several hundreds of euros. For this reason, please make sure to stick to the maximum limits.
DHLForYou surcharges
These surcharges will be charged when your package doesn't meet the DHLForYou conditions. Please also check the general surcharges which apply for all DHL shipments.
Surcharge for packaging - €7.45
This surcharge will be charged when the parcel has to be processed manually.
A few examples:
- Indications on package such as "Fragile" or "Handle with care"
- Label placement: Label is not placed in the right way (horizontally on the longest side of the package)
- Packaging: Wood and metal, sealed packages and films (eg bubble wrap) or Styrofoam, shipping bags
- Combining multiple boxes into one package with tape or other binding material
- Content is not secured in the box (slides back and forth)
- Round tubes
How can I prevent this surcharge?
To avoid this surcharge, we advise you to pay close attention to the packaging.
- Do not use round tubes
- Avoid stickers or other indications on the package (such as "fragile")
- Paste the label with the barcode horizontally on the longest side of the box
- Do not attach packages to each other
- Make sure there is sufficient filling (inner packaging) so that the contents do not slide around during transport
This surcharge is one of the most difficult surcharges to avoid, since you have to take into account several factors. For more packaging guidelines, you can check our general article here or contact us for advice.
Surcharge DHLforyou Letterbox - €1.00
Larger than 38x26.5x3.2 cm but smaller than 80x60x50 cm, or heavier than 2 kg but lighter than 23 kg.
Surcharge outside of specifications (large) - €7.45 or €23.70
|
From |
To |
Specifications |
Costs |
| NL | NL | Larger than 80x60x50 cm, but smaller than 180x100x50 cm | €7.45 |
| NL | BE | Larger than 80x60x50 cm, but smaller than 120x60x50 cm | €7.45 |
| NL | BE | Larger than 120x60x50 cm, but smaller than 180x100x50 cm | €23.70 |
Surcharge outside of specifications (extra large) - €49.70
|
From |
To |
Specifications |
Costs |
| NL | NL | Larger than 180x100x50 cm, but smaller than 240x100x200 cm | €49.70 |
| NL | BE | Larger than 180x100x50 cm, but smaller than 240x100x200 cm | €49.70 |
Surcharge outside of specifications (heavy) - €4.45
Heavier than 20 kg but lighter than 31,5 kg.
Surcharge outside of specifications (extra heavy) - varies per shipping country
Packages which are heavier than 31,5 kg will be charged at the price of a pallet tariff + €16.70. This may cost you several hundreds of euros. For this reason, please make sure to stick to the maximum limits.
DHL Europlus surcharges
These surcharges will be charged when your package doesn't meet the DHL Europlus conditions. Please also check the general surcharges which apply for all DHL shipments.
Surcharge for packaging - €7.45
This surcharge will be charged when the parcel has to be processed manually.
A few examples:- Indications on package such as "Fragile" or "Handle with care"
- Label placement: Label is not placed in the right way (horizontally on the longest side of the package)
- Packaging: Wood and metal, sealed packages and films (eg bubble wrap) or Styrofoam, shipping bags
- Combining multiple boxes into one package with tape or other binding material
- Content is not secured in the box (slides back and forth)
- Round tubes
How can I prevent this surcharge?
To avoid this surcharge, we advise you to pay close attention to the packaging.
- Do not use round tubes
- Avoid stickers or other indications on the package (such as "fragile")
- Paste the label with the barcode horizontally on the longest side of the box
- Do not attach packages to each other
- Make sure there is sufficient filling (inner packaging) so that the contents do not slide around during transport
This surcharge is one of the most difficult surcharges to avoid, since you have to take into account several factors. For more packaging guidelines, you can check our general article here or contact us for advice.
Surcharge for packaging (small) - €3.70
Smaller than 15 x 11 x 3.5 cm
Surcharge outside of specifications (large) - €7.45
Larger than 120x60x50 cm but smaller than 180x100x50 cm
Surcharge outside of specifications (extra large) - €49.70
Larger than 180x100x50 cm but smaller than 240x100x200 cm or;
A parcel between (length) 240 and 600 cm with a maximum diameter of 30 cm available in a box W100xH50 cm with a maximum of L240xW100xH200 cm
Surcharge outside of specifications (heavy) - €4.15
Heavier than 20 kg but lighter than 31,5 kg.
Surcharge outside of specifications (extra heavy) - varies per shipping country
Packages which are heavier than 31,5 kg will be charged at the price of a pallet tariff + €16.70. This may cost you several hundreds of euros. For this reason, please make sure to stick to the maximum limits.
DHL Parcel connect surcharges
These surcharges will be charged when your package doesn't meet the DHL Parcel connect conditions. Please also check the general surcharges which apply for all DHL shipments.
Surcharge for packaging - €7.45
This surcharge will be charged when the parcel has to be processed manually.
A few examples:- Indications on package such as "Fragile" or "Handle with care"
- Label placement: Label is not placed in the right way (horizontally on the longest side of the package)
- Packaging: Wood and metal, sealed packages and films (eg bubble wrap) or Styrofoam, shipping bags
- Combining multiple boxes into one package with tape or other binding material
- Content is not secured in the box (slides back and forth)
- Round tubes
How can I prevent this surcharge?
To avoid this surcharge, we advise you to pay close attention to the packaging.
- Do not use round tubes
- Avoid stickers or other indications on the package (such as "fragile")
- Paste the label with the barcode horizontally on the longest side of the box
- Do not attach packages to each other
- Make sure there is sufficient filling (inner packaging) so that the contents do not slide around during transport
This surcharge is one of the most difficult surcharges to avoid, since you have to take into account several factors. For more packaging guidelines, you can check our general article here or contact us for advice.
Surcharge outside of specifications (extra large) - €23.70
Larger than 120x60x60 cm, with a maximum length of 180 cm and a maximum volume of 432 L
Surcharge outside of specifications (heavy) - €4.45
Heavier than 20 kg but lighter than 31.5 kg
Surcharge outside of specifications (extra heavy) - varies per shipping country
Packages which are heavier than 31,5 kg will be charged at the price of a pallet tariff + €16.70. This may cost you several hundreds of euros. For this reason, please make sure to stick to the maximum limits.
Return surcharge outside of specifications (large) - €27.70
Packages with a length between 180 cm and 240 cm, that are being returned by DHL, will receive a surcharge of €22.70. This also applies to packages with a volume larger than 432 liter. If the package is longer than 240 cm or larger than 432 liter, you'll receive the same surcharge and the package will be returned to sender.
Return surcharge outside of specifications (heavy) - €27.70
Shipments that are returned by DHL, because they're heavier than 20 kg (but lighter than 31.5 kg), will receive a surcharge of €22.70. Packages which are heavier than 31,5 kg will be charged at the price per package plus/pallet tariff. This may cost you several hundreds of euros. For this reason, please make sure to stick to the maximum limits.
To avoid the above mentioned surcharges please carefully read the shipping conditions, make sure you stay well within the permitted dimensions and, of course, select the right network for your package.