Dangerous Goods and Special Handling Surcharges
DHL Express applies a surcharge of 165.00 USD per shipment for fully regulated Dangerous Goods as per IATA regulations, excluding certain prohibited classes and substances. Dry Ice shipments incur an 8.50 USD surcharge per shipment. Consumer goods such as perfumes and prescription medicines intended for retail sale to private individuals have a surcharge of 27.50 USD per shipment. Biological substances (UN3373) are accepted only with DHL Medical Express and incur no surcharge.
Additional handling surcharges include a 30.00 USD surcharge per oversize piece exceeding specified dimensions, and a 30.00 USD surcharge per non-conveyable piece weighing between 25 kg and 70 kg with special packaging or shape characteristics.
Remote Area and Security Surcharges
Shipments to or from remote areas, defined as distant islands, highlands, or difficult to access locations, incur a surcharge of 50.00 USD or 0.50 USD per pound (or per half kilogram), whichever is higher, per shipment for both delivery and pickup.
Elevated risk countries due to war, unrest, or terrorism have a surcharge of 30.00 USD per shipment. Restricted destinations subject to trade restrictions also incur a 30.00 USD surcharge per shipment.
Data Correction and Manual Entry Surcharges
An address correction surcharge of 25.50 USD per shipment applies when the destination address is incomplete or incorrect and DHL must determine the correct address. Manual data entry by DHL due to improperly completed shipping labels incurs a 6.50 USD surcharge per shipment.
Fuel Surcharge Update
The fuel surcharge is variable and based on the daily average spot prices for US Gulf Coast kerosene-type jet fuel as reported by the U.S. Department of Energy. The surcharge applies to transportation charges and various surcharges including dedicated delivery, demand surcharge, and remote area surcharges.
Effective August 3, 2026, the fuel surcharge rates for export shipments range from 21.75% to 37.00%, and for import shipments from 25.50% to 40.75%, depending on the jet fuel price index. Weekly surcharge percentages are provided for specific periods in September and October 2026.
DHL reserves the right to change the fuel surcharge index and table with or without notice, determining the amount and duration at its sole discretion.
Official references
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Prepared automatically from official sources with citation checks and an automated factual review. Announcements can be revised. Check the source and your agreement for the rules that apply to your shipment.