Surtax
The most common surcharges.
PostNL.
Manual processing surcharge (Parcel NL, inside and outside the EU).
If products are packed incorrectly or non-securely, they can disrupt the carrier’s logistics process. For example, because they get stuck on the sorting belt, get damaged or the shipping label cannot be scanned. To solve this problem, the parcels are removed from the sorting belt and processed manually. You will pay a surcharge for this, in addition to the parcel price of your shipment. Here is an overview of the surcharges for shipments within Europe.
| Country | Surcharge |
| Netherlands | € 3,46 |
| Germany | € 10,- |
| France | € 8,- |
| Other EU countries | € 3,46 |
NB: Special processing can often be avoided.
- Make sure you pack your products correctly. Use the right sized packaging and correct material and, if necessary, use sufficient padding so that the products cannot move around in the packaging.
- Use rectangular or square shipping boxes and make sure your shipping label is placed in the middle of the box and is easy to scan.
You can also read the handout here to find out how to pack your products correctly.
Volume surcharge (Parcel NL)
Research by carriers shows that half of all parcels sent consist of air. This unnecessarily transports empty space, which has a negative impact on the environment. As soon as less air is shipped, we will create additional logistics capacity and immediately reduce CO2 emissions, thereby reducing our impact on the environment. PostNL will therefore charge a surcharge for parcels with a content greater than 50 dm3 (with destinations within the Netherlands or Europe). The surcharge will be calculated based on the space taken up by the parcel during the logistics process.
- Surcharge: A volume surcharge is applied for parcels with a volume of 50dm3 or higher (sent to addresses in the Netherlands or other EU countries). You can calculate the volume of your parcel shipment by L x W x H in decimetres. You can also use our handy calculation tool when you create a shipment in your account.
- Example calculation:
Size: 48 x 32,5 x 32 cm
Contents: 4.8 x 3.25 x 3.2 dm = 49.9 dm3
49.9 dm3 is less than 50 dm3: 49.9 dm3 < 50 dm3
No surcharge will be charged. Only the basic rate applies to this parcel shipment.
- NB: Pack your products so they are as compact as possible. It’s better for both your wallet and the environment! Go to our packaging shop to select the correct packaging for your products.
| Surcharges | Rate |
| < 50 dm3 | Free |
| 50-100 dm3 | € 0.54 |
| 100-200 dm3 | € 1.63 |
| > 200 dm3 | € 3.27 |
XL parcel
Your parcel is identified as an XL parcel because it is larger or heavier than the standard maximum dimensions and/or weight. A standard parcel shipment can have maximum dimensions of 100x70x58cm and/or a maximum weight of 0kg to 23kg. An XL parcel has maximum dimensions of 175x78x58cm and a maximum weight of 23/30kg. A parcel is only considered an XL parcel if it is sent to an address in the Netherlands or a country in the EU.
- Surcharge: XL surcharge. This is €3.46 per parcel on top of your shipment’s parcel price.
- NB: it is important that you pack your products as compactly as possible to avoid the XL surcharge. If you want to send a parcel that is heavier and/or larger than the standard size, you can send an XL parcel for a surcharge of €3.46 on top of your shipment’s parcel price.
Freight surcharge
For parcels that exceed the maximum dimensions (175 x 78 x 58 cm) and/or maximum weight (30kg), a freight surcharge of € 70.00 will be applied.
- Surcharge: € 79,54 per parcel.
- Tip: Make sure your parcel is always within the allowed weight and dimensions. If necessary, divide the order into several parcels to avoid a surcharge.
Peak surcharge
In 2023, PostNL will also apply a peak surcharge in order to guarantee quality when it comes to processing and delivering parcels and letterbox parcels during the final, busiest period of the year. For six weeks, starting in the month of November, the peak surcharge will be charged on top of the price of sending both a parcel and a letterbox parcel. The peak surcharge is set at €0.25 per parcel and €0.15 per letterbox parcel sent and applies to every destination.
Energy surcharge
The higher energy and fuel prices are greatly affecting consumers and businesses alike. As a result of this increase, PostNL will be introducing an energy surcharge of € 0,12 per parcel starting on 1 January 2023. The energy surcharge will apply to all destinations within the Netherlands, Belgium and the EU.
Letterbox parcel surcharge.
Letterbox parcels are the ideal option to send small, lightweight products cheaper. The minimum and maximum size and weight of a letterbox package are:
- Min. size: 14 cm in length and 9 cm in width.
- Max. size: 38 x 26.5 x 3.2 cm.
- Max. weight: 2 kg.
PostNL will charge a surcharge for letterbox parcels that do not comply with the dimensions and/or weight. These shipments cannot be delivered via the postal network and are automatically transferred to the parcel network so that your customer is inconvenienced as little as possible. There are additional costs involved.
Volumetric weight for World shipments
The rate for a world shipment (a shipment outside of Europe) is calculated as follows: Base rate + rate per kg (incl. energy surcharge) x volume weight.
This new working method was developed in order to tax shipments that take up more space and/or weight during transport more than smaller and/or lighter shipments. This means that if the actual weight of a shipment is greater than the volume weight, the actual weight will be used to calculate the kilo surcharge. If the volume weight is greater than the actual weight, the volume weight will be used. The example below helps to explain how this works:
- Example calculation shipment weighing 3 kg:
We always calculate using the following formula: length x width x height.
Size: 40 x 30 x 60 cm
Contents: 4 x 3 x 6 dm = 72 dm3
Actual weight: 3 kg
Volume weight: 72 / 9 = 8 - The volume weight is calculated based on the contents (dm3) / 9. In the calculation example above, 8 would be used to calculate the kilo surcharge. A weight of 8 kg would be used to calculate the kilo surcharge for this shipment.
- Kilo surcharge The kilo surcharge on your shipment is determined by weight (in kg) or volume weight. We would like to explain to you how to calculate this surcharge with an example. Please see this article.
View the General Terms and Conditions of PostNL for a complete overview of all possible surcharges.
DHL.
Manual processing surcharge
DHL also charges a manual processing surcharge if parcels disrupt the logistics process. The manual processing surcharge is €7.95 per parcel on top of your shipment’s parcel price. Due to manual processing, a parcel may be delivered one day later.
- Tip: Make sure you pack your products correctly. Select the right sized packaging and correct material and, if necessary, use sufficient padding so that the products cannot move around in the packaging. In addition, use rectangular or square shipping boxes and stick the shipping label on the largest side of the box and at the top right.
Surcharge for incorrect address label
If the address label contains an error, a new address label will have to be printed out by DHL. This may occur if the address details are not quite correct or the barcode is not easily readable.
- Surcharge: The incorrect address label surcharge is €1.10 per shipment on top of the usual rate for your shipment.
- Tip: Make sure you always check the recipient’s address. In addition, check regularly that your label printer is still working properly and printing shipping labels correctly.
Return shipment surcharge
DHL charges a surcharge per return shipment on top of the usual return shipping costs. The surcharge is €1.50. So in total, a return shipment costs €8.00.
Excess weight/size surcharge
If a parcel is larger or heavier than 31.5 kg, it cannot be delivered and will be returned. A surcharge of €57,50 will be charged for this.
- Tip: Make sure your parcel is always within the allowed weight and dimensions. If necessary, divide the order into several parcels to avoid a surcharge.
View the General Terms and Conditions of DHL for a complete overview of all possible surcharges.
Download the handout containing all prices and surcharges here. If you have any questions, take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions in the backoffice. Still can’t find the answer? You can always contact us. We’re here to help.