Purpose: In this section, we explain how you can avoid DPD surcharges if your shipment does not meet the shipping conditions of DPD.
Please note: The carrier may change the conditions and/or surcharges listed below, therefore changes may occur. Although we do our best to inform our customers, no rights can be derived from the information below.
This surcharge is indexed, which means it is regularly adjusted based on fluctuations in fuel prices.
🏔️ Islands & special areas surcharges
Islands and special areas - Italy / Norway / Switzerland – €52.20
Italy: Campione d'Italia, Livigno
Norway: Jan Mayen, Spitsbergen
Switzerland: Martina, Samnaun
DPD charges an additional fee for shipping to islands and other special areas.
Islands and special areas - Island delivery Europe – €30.20
DPD charges an additional fee for shipping to islands and other special areas.
Islands and special areas - Corsica, Balearic Islands, Azores, Madeira, Finnish Aaland Islands – €30.20
DPD charges an additional fee for shipping to islands and other special areas.
Islands and special areas - Island delivery Germany – €15.20
DPD charges an additional fee for shipping to islands and other special areas.
📐 Dimension & size surcharges
Forwarding surcharge – €60.20
You receive this surcharge if you go over the maximum limits of DPD Germany.
This means a package of which:
- the weight exceeds 40 kg or
- the length exceeds 250 cm or
- The girth exceeds 330 cm (circumference (double width + double height) + length)
Oversized/overweight
Cost:
€40.20
+ weight correction charge
For standard shipments, when exceeding:
- max. weight 31.5 kg or
- max. length 175 cm or
- max. girth 300 cm (circumference (double width + double height) + length)
For shipments dropped off, returned, or delivered to a parcel shop, when exceeding:
- max. weight 20 kg or
- max. length 100 cm or
- max. girth 250 cm (circumference (double width + double height) + length)
More information
Dimensions:
This surcharge is applied when the package is heavier than the maximum weight or larger than the maximum dimensions. These criteria are described in DPD's shipping terms and conditions. If a parcel is too heavy or too large it must be taken off the automatic sorting belt and processed manually. This results in surcharges.
When shipping overseas you must also consider the volume weight of the package. If the L x W x H / 5000 exceeds 31.5kg you can also expect this surcharge.
How can I avoid this surcharge?
To avoid this surcharge, we recommend staying well below the maximum weight and within the maximum dimensions. Packages are measured and weighed with specially calibrated equipment, but measurement differences can always occur. Always allow yourself some extra space to ensure that the dimensions are not exceeded. DPD recommends staying 15 cm below the maximum belt size. Click here for more information regarding packing your packages.
To prevent weight corrections, ensure the weight entered during label creation matches the actual weight of the shipment. Double-check the package's total weight, including its contents and packaging, and select the correct weight bracket. Providing accurate weight information helps minimize recalculations or adjustments on your invoice.
Goods unsuitable for conveyor belt/NC-Volume surcharge – €6.70
Non-conveyable goods (NC) are parcels that cannot be processed through their standard automated conveyor systems due to size, weight, or shape. These items require manual handling and often incur an additional surcharge.
Dimensions & volume:
- Parcels between 120 cm and 175 cm or
- Parcels wider than 60 cm or
- Parcels with a volume of more than 150 liters or
- Parcels smaller than 15 x 10 x 5cm
📮 Delivery, pickup & label-related surcharges
Parcel undeliverable (international) – €14.20
You receive this surcharge when an international shipment cannot be delivered due to incorrect or incomplete address details, such as an invalid street or postal code, or when the recipient cannot be located by the driver.
Parcel undeliverable (national) – €7.20
You receive this surcharge when a domestic shipment cannot be delivered due to incorrect or incomplete address details, such as an invalid street or postal code, or when the recipient cannot be located by the driver.
Collection request: Parcels not available during collection – €13.20
If DPD shows up for a pickup but the parcels are not ready and/or not available, DPD charges a fee.
Proof of delivery (P.O.D) – €12.20
Whenever you request a POD from DPD directly, they will charge a fee.
This does not apply to downloading the POD yourself.
Missing advice data (house number, name, postal code, etc.) – €1.10
For labels that do not comply with DPD parcel label specifications or are submitted without postal barcoding.
Label unreadable: Faulty/not routed packets – €1.10
For labels printed in poor-quality print, paper, or scaling. If a parcel label cannot be scanned and therefore cannot be processed automatically, the shipment will be processed manually by DPD. In this case, the shipments will be identified again, sorted out, and relabeled.
💬 General surcharges
Fuel surcharge
DPD applies a variable fuel surcharge to all services and shipping products.
This surcharge is indexed, which means it is regularly adjusted based on fluctuations in fuel prices.
For more general information about fuel surcharges, see our Help Center article. The most up-to-date surcharge percentages can be found on the DPD website.
Emergency fuel surcharge
DPD applies a variable fuel surcharge to all services and shipping products.
Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, some carriers are charging an extra fee. For DPD Germany, this results in an extra fuel surcharge, called the Emergency fuel surcharge.
The most up-to-date surcharge percentages can be found on the DPD website.
Unauthorised "freight forward" shipping – €8.20
Hazardous goods LQ – €4.20
For more information on shipping hazardous goods, we advise you to check the DPD website.
New delivery attempt (2-3x) – €3.20
Applies only to parcels sent to private addresses without Predict service.
Return – Shipping costs
In case the parcel cannot be delivered, it is returned to sender. The costs for this equal the shipping costs.
🌍 Customs & export surcharges
Missing or incomplete export documents/data – €35.20
Shipping to Norway, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, Iceland – €26.20
DPD charges a surcharge of €26.20 per shipment for shipments to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland. The indication of the recipient's telephone number on the customs documents is mandatory.
If this information is missing, the parcel will be returned with the reason "missing/incomplete documents".
Shipping to the UK – €6.65
DPD charges a surcharge of €6.65 per shipment for each UK shipment. The indication of the recipient's telephone number on the customs documents is mandatory.
If this information is missing, the parcel will be returned with the reason "missing/incomplete documents".
Currency surcharge – 19% of the freight rate
Currency surcharge for shipments going to Switzerland and Liechtenstein
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.
You can find more information and the shipping conditions here: