Purpose: View the transport conditions of shipping carrier DHL so you can make an informed decision about which shipping method is best for you. 

DHL ForYou 2.0

Since april 2024, DHL ForYou 2.0 is the updated version of DHLForYou. With 2.0, the shipping costs will be based on the (volumetric) weight. The highest one out of the two (actual- or volumetric weight) applies. This means that instead of having one flat price for all parcels up to 20 kg, there will be a price per type of package (S, M, L, XL or XXL). 

See table below for more details per package:

*Shipments that are heavier than 20 kg or have a bigger volume than 240 L, are not eligible for DHLForYou Dropoff. They need to be shipped with DHLForYou pick-up XXL or Direct Injection XXL. With DHL Direct Injection, your packages are routed straight into the destination country's shipping network. This eliminates several intermediate stages, such as local pick-up distribution and other operational entities. "Direct Injection" is only available if you ship more than 100,000 parcels a year. 

See the complete shipping conditions DHLForYou 2.0 shipping conditions for more.

Drop-off vs Pick-up: What’s the difference?

Drop-off
Choose this option if you plan to bring your parcels to a DHL parcelshop yourself. It’s suitable for businesses that send fewer parcels or don’t have a regular pick-up scheduled.

Pick-up
Select this option if you’ve scheduled a pick-up with DHL, where a DHL driver collects your parcels at your location. This is often used by businesses with higher shipping volumes or that want a daily collection service.

Regardless of parcel weight or size, the main difference lies in whose hands the parcel is handed over to DHL:
– You (Drop-off),
– Or DHL (Pick-up).

Why DHL ForYou 2.0?

With DHL ForYou 2.0 you pay for what you actually shipping, instead of paying a flat fee. This means that when you ship smaller, lighter packages you can benefit from cheaper pricing.

DHLForYou 2.0 shipping conditions

DHL ForYou Brievenbus (mailbox)

Shipping method features:

• Included Tracking
• Delivery through your mailbox
• No address changes possible
• No return request possible
• Not insured

Characteristics of the parcel:

• Minimum weight 0.5 kg
• Maximum weight 1 kg
• Maximum dimensions 38x26,5x3,2 cm (LxWxH)
• Minimum dimensions 10x5x0,5 cm

DHL ForYou Envelop

Shipping method features:

• Included Tracking
• Delivery through your mailbox
• No address changes possible
• No return request possible
• Not insured

Characteristics of the parcel:

• Maximum weight 500 gr
• Maximum dimensions 38x26,5x3,2 cm (LxWxH)

DHL ForYou Parcel Shop

Shipping method features:

• No return request possible
• Shipping via a shop:
  • Convenient if you ship less than 100 parcels/month
  • DHL drop-off method
  • Delivery one day later if you bring the parcels to a parcel shop after the driver has already picked up the parcels
• To a shop:
  • Your customer will receive a message when the parcel arrives at the shop

Characteristics of the parcel:

• Maximum weight 20 kg
• Maximum dimensions XL size

DHL Parcel Connect shipping conditions

DHL Parcel Connect (within Europe) 

Service Presentation

With the help of this service, DHL delivers internationally to private addresses and parcel shops. It depends on the country you ship to if you can ship to a parcel shop, use home delivery or a combination of both. You can hand in your packages at a DHL parcel shop. From 100 shipments per month you can request a fixed collection. It is also possible to schedule an incidental collection. Please note that you will be charged a pick-up fee if you hand over an average of less than 4 pick ups per collection at the end of the calendar month.

Shipping method features:

• Delivery at home or at a parcel shop
• At least 1 delivery attempt (2nd attempt if requested by the recipient)
• Not insured
• No address changes possible
• Signature on delivery
• There is a notification to the recipient on the delivery day
• Returns supported 

Characteristics of the parcel:

• Maximum weight*: 31.5 KG (surcharge for parcel heavier than 20kg)
• Minimum dimensions 15x11x3,5 cm
• Maximum dimensions 120x60x60 cm

*If the volumetric weight is higher than the regular weight, DHL uses the volumetric weight. You can calculate the volumetric weight with the following formula: length x width x height / 1000

The table below shows the options per country:

DHL Europlus shipping conditions

Shipping packages to business addresses

DHL Europlus (B2B) within Europe

Service Presentation

Delivery to business addresses within Europe. Parcels can be handed over at a parcel shop or in combination with a pick-up. From 100 shipments per month, you can request a fixed collection. It is also possible to schedule an incidental collection. Please note that you will be charged a pick-up fee if you hand over an average of fewer than 4 pick-ups per collection at the end of the calendar month. 

Pick-up days: DHL Europlus collections are available Monday to Friday (5 business days per week). No pick-ups take place during weekends.

Shipping method features:

• Two delivery attempts on workdays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• When delivery attempts are unsuccessful, the parcel will be available for pick-up at a local depot.
• Not insured

Characteristics of the parcel:

• Maximum weight*: 20 KG
• Minimum weight: 0,5 kg
• Minimum dimensions: 15x11x3,5 cm (LxWxH) 
• Maximum dimensions: 120x60x50 cm (LxWxH)
• Maximum volumetric weight: 240 liter

*If the volumetric weight is higher than the regular weight, DHL uses the volumetric weight. You can calculate the volumetric weight with the following formula: length x width x height / 1000.
If the volume exceeds 240 liters, DHL may apply an Outside of specifications surcharge.

DHL Europlus Express (B2B) within Europe

Service Presentation

This is the Express method of DHL Europlus. Delivery to business addresses within Europe. Parcels can be handed over at a parcel shop or in combination with a pick-up. From 100 shipments per month you can request a fixed collection. It is also possible to schedule an incidental collection. Please note that you will be charged a pick-up fee if you hand over an average of less than 4 pick ups per collection at the end of the calendar month.

Shipping method features:

• Delivery the next day before 11:00 AM
• Two delivery attempts
• When delivery attempts are unsuccessful, the parcel will be available for pick-up at a local depot.
• Not insured

Characteristics of the parcel:

• Maximum weight*: 20 KG
• Minimum weight: 0,5 kg
• Minimum dimensions: 15x11x3,5 cm (LxWxH) 
• Maximum dimensions: 120x60x50 cm (LxWxH)

*If the volumetric weight is higher than the regular weight, DHL uses the volumetric weight. You can calculate the volumetric weight with the following formula: length x width x height / 1000

Do you want to know how long the package will be on its way to your customer? Then view the transit times per shipping method.

For a complete overview of all the applicable surcharges, we recommend that you carefully read the surcharges article. 

Pallet shipments

Pallets can be used to send one or multiple shipments to one destination or to send multiple shipments to different destinations. Note: if delivery attempts fail, the pallet will be sent to a local depot for pick-up.

Pallet with one destination

When the entire pallet has to be sent to one destination, you'll need the shipping method DHL Europlus Pallet*. You use this method when you want to ship multiple packages (or one large package) to the same address. To make it clear that the entire pallet needs to be delivered at one address, dark foil is required. 

Pallet with multiple destinations

When the content on the pallet has to be delivered to different addresses, you'll use one of DHL's non-pallet shipping methods (DHL parcel connect, DHL Europlus etc.). Every shipment needs its own label. It's important to wrap the pallet in clear foil, so the pallet won't be delivered as a whole at one address.

*The shipping method Europlus Pallet is not activated in your account by default. If you have a fixed pick-up with DHL or if you use incidental pick-ups (Lite or higher) and would like to use this shipping method, please contact our customer support team.

Paperless returns

DHL also supports Paperless returns. This means that your customers no longer need to print their label. Instead, they can simply show the barcode they get via email at the service point. For more information, click here.

Claim procedure

Uninsured shipments

All DHL shipments are not insured as a standard. If you do not insure these shipments with the help of our Sendcloud Insurance, no claim can be submitted based on purchase - / sales value. In this case, you are only entitled to a kilo compensation (3.40 euros per kilo) when a shipment is declared missing by DHL.

To submit such a claim, we need the purchase and sales invoice including a content description.  In addition, we need a proof of delivery. If a shipment has not been scanned by the carrier, the sender must be able to prove that the shipment has entered the carrier's network. This can be done through a handover receipt. Please note that the carrier may not accept the Sendcloud pick-up report as official proof of shipment. In that case, the carrier may request camera footage or alternative additional evidence.

Payout of the kilo reimbursement

The reimbursement for an uninsured shipment is never higher than the value of the shipment.

• Within the Netherlands, the kilo reimbursement is €3.40 per kilo.
• Outside the Netherlands, the kilo reimbursement is €10.75 per kilo, in accordance with the CMR Convention for international shipments.
• If the calculated kilo reimbursement is higher than the sales value of the shipment, 60% of the sales value (excluding VAT) will be paid out.
• Shipping costs are not included in the shipment value.

The lowest amount will always be reimbursed:

• either the kilo reimbursement
• or 60% of the sales value (excluding VAT)

Deadlines for submitting claims

• Damage: Must be reported within 7 days after delivery.

  Important: Damage claims for parcels delivered in Germany

  For parcels shipped from the Netherlands but delivered in Germany, DHL Germany uses a different damage procedure.
  To ensure a successful investigation, the following steps are mandatory:
  The recipient must take the damaged shipment (including all original packaging and contents) to a DHL parcel shop.
  At the parcel shop, they must fill out a damage report and hand it over.
  The recipient must keep the receipt issued by the parcel shop and forward it as part of the claim documentation.
  Important: Damage claims for DHL Parcel Connect shipments delivered in Germany or Austria

  For shipments sent with DHL Parcel Connect to Germany or Austria and delivered by the local postal service, a different damage procedure applies.
  To ensure a successful investigation, the following steps are mandatory:
  The damage must be reported within 5 business days.
  The recipient must take the damaged shipment, including all original packaging and contents, to the local post office.
  The recipient must report the damage at the local post office so an investigation can be started.

• Delivered but not received / Lost shipments: Must be reported within 30 days.

  • A ticket for a lost shipment can only be created after 96 hours.

Do you want to insure your shipments for a higher value? This is possible with the help of our Sendcloud Insurance.

Multicollo Shipments

Multicollo shipment is available for DHL Europlus, Europlus Pallet and Europlus Pallet international.

Each collo will be assigned it's own Tracking number and receive individual Tracking updates. You can view how many shipments are linked to a parcel in the shipment detail view of your panel.

If you need to cancel a collo within the shipment, all labels must be cancelled and recreated. 

Direct contract shipping methods

If you have a direct contract with DHL, you can easily integrate it with your Sendcloud account. Our DHL contract activation Benelux guide explains how to connect your direct contract. This setup allows you to ship under your own terms and conditions. We also provide an overview of all direct contract shipping methods available through Sendcloud.

Like every carrier, DHL has prepared a document about their General Transport Conditions. If you deviate from the conditions, a surcharge will be charged on your invoice afterwards. When you send with DHL, you automatically agree to the following conditions:

General Transport Conditions

Please note that the carrier may change the prices and/or conditions of the surcharges. We do our best to inform you as accurately as possible, yet we cannot guarantee complete accuracy. Therefore, no rights can be derived from the information below.