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DHL: Maximum dimensions and weight, surcharges and additional fees

DHL shipping terms and possible additional costs

Ina Kahl avatar
Written by Ina Kahl
Updated over 4 months ago

In all our subscriptions, we provide DHL via Shipcloud business rates. Already from our Professional subscription you can integrate your own DHL contract.


In this article you will find important information about DHL package dimensions and weight limits, as well as about possible surcharges and fees.

In this article 👇


Maximum package dimensions and weight limits

DHL Standard and DHL Retoure

Max. weight

max. 31,5 kg

Max. dimensions

max. 120 x 60 x 60 cm

Max. girth *

max. 360 cm

Min. dimensions

min. 15 × 11 × 1 cm

DHL Warenpost

Max. weight

max. 1 kg

Max. dimensions

max. 35,3 x 25 x 5 cm

Min. dimensions

min. 10 x 7 x 0,1 cm

* The girth dimension is calculated as follows: Girth = (height + width) x 2 + length)

📌 Please note that it is not possible to send bulky shipments at Shipcloud business rates. This option is only available if you have your own DHL contract.

📌 Please note that additional costs per shipment may apply if your packages exceed the maximum package dimensions and weight limits. If the weight specified by you is exceeded, the additional weight charge will be noted on your invoice as Freight Cost. Shipcloud reserves the right to pass on to you the surcharges levied by DHL (see table below).

📌 Please note that the maximum girth for international shipments may vary.

For example, the maximum girth for shipments to Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland or Great Britain is max. 300 cm. You can find more information on this and the maximum girth size for your destination country here.

📌 Please note that in the months of November and December, DHL will impose a seasonal or peak surcharge, which we will pass on to you in the amount of € 0.20 per shipment. You can find more information here.

Surcharges and additional fees*

Surcharge

Description

Price per shipment from Jan 1st, 2023

Price per shipment from Jan 1st, 2024

Peak

In the months of November and December, DHL levies peak surcharges. With the help of peak surcharges, DHL ensures that its network continues to function effectively during peak seasons. In times of heavy traffic, and especially during the Christmas period, DHL expands its delivery network to provide you with a reliable and punctual service despite increased shipping volumes.

0,20 € per package

Non Conveyable (Bulky Goods
National/International)

Surcharge for bulky national/international shipments with special requirements (such as a larger space requirement or particularly careful handling during transport).

ℹ️ Additional info

Bulky goods are shipments for which one or more of the following characteristics apply:

  • Exceeding the maximum parcel dimensions in at least one dimension (DHL Paket 120 x 60 x 60 cm; roll up to 5 kg, length 120 cm or diameter 15 cm).

  • Neither cuboid nor roll-shaped

  • Protruding parts

  • Packaging made of material other than cardboard or paper

National

€ 23.50


International

€ 32.00

National

€ 23.50


International

€ 32.00

ParcelShop Routing (Postal Outlet Routing)

Surcharge for the provision of undeliverable DHL shipments for which the recipient cannot be determined at the specified address, usually at the nearest DHL postal outlet.

ℹ️ Additional info

DHL stores parcels in the in the postal outlet for up to 7 days. Failure to collect the parcel will result in the return of the parcel and the return charge listed below will be levied.

€ 1.99

€ 1.99

Return to sender (National/International)

Surcharge for undeliverable national/international shipments, provided that DHL is not responsible for the undeliverability, as well as in all cases in which a return shipment is made in connection with the "Postal outlet Routing" or "Parcel Stop" services ordered by the sender.

National:

DHL Paket

€ 6.00

Warenpost

€ 3.00


International:

Airway from non-EU

€ 22.00

National:

DHL Paket

€ 6.00

Warenpost

€ 3.00


International:

Land-/seaway from EU

€ 11.00

Airway from non-EU

€ 22.00

Adress Correction (Routing Code)

Surcharge for coding fee if the routing code is missing, incorrect or illegible or for shipments that can only be delivered after correction of the recipient's address.

ℹ️ Additional info

The recipient's address is indicated as a barcode (routing code) on the shipping label. If the address is incorrect or cannot be found by DHL, this will result in an address correction by DHL and will subsequently be invoiced. An error in the routing code will become apparent to you if the digits under the bar code contain three zeros at the end.

€ 0.69

€ 0.69

Weight Under-declared (Withdrawal Fee)

Surcharge for missing or incorrect weight determination or for an insufficiently franked shipment. In addition to the missing postage to be paid subsequently, the withdrawal fee is due as an expense allowance.

€ 2.50

€ 2.50

Freight Cost

Surcharge levied by the shipping service provider if the actual weight of the parcel exceeds the booked weight. The amount of the surcharge is calculated according to the next higher price level of the shipping label.

Difference based on the weight difference determined by the shipping service provider

Difference based on the weight difference determined by the shipping service provider

Doorstep delivery

The surcharge for doorstep delivery applies in the following countries: Finland and Sweden

€ 4,30

* Surcharges are charged as (net) business fees, plus the applicable 19% VAT. Please note that the carriers may make changes to the surcharge or subsequent charge prices and we reserve the right to adjust these due to additional operational expenses. The surcharges and fees listed above were last updated on December 21st, 2023, effective January 1st, 2024.

📌 Further information on possible DHL surcharges can also be found directly on the DHL website.


Any further questions? We're happy to help.


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