DHL Express
- Saturday Collections
- Saturday Delivery
- Packing Requirements
- Size & Weight Restrictions
- Volumetric Weight
- Surcharges
- Prohibited Items
General Information
With a presence in over 220 countries and territories across the globe, DHL has one of the most extensive international networks in the world. The DHL Express division is a global market leader in door-to-door courier services. We are proud to offer three premium DHL Express services: DHL Express Worldwide, DHL Economy Select and DHL Domestic Express.
Please see the table below for an at-a-glance comparison of the DHL courier service we offer:
| Suitable for: | Information | UK | Europe | Rest of World | |
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Premium worldwide express service by air to more than 220 countries and territories |  |
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Highly economical road-based service to 30 European destinations and territories | |
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UK delivery by the end of the next working day |
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*You can access more accurate transit time estimates by entering your collection and delivery postcodes here.
DHL also publish an overview of transit times per country and service. You can access it here.
Saturday Collections
Saturday collections are available for DHL courier services. You will be given this option during booking.
Saturday Delivery
Saturday delivery is available for DHL Domestic Express. Your parcel must be collected or dropped off at a DHL depot on a Friday, before the cut-off time.
Packing Requirements
Lighter goods (weighing less than 30kg) can be boxed. Caution should be taken over structurally weak, long and narrow cardboard packaging (more than 120cm long), which you will need to reinforce.
Use double-walled boxes and ensure a distance of 6cm between the contents and walls of the box. Fill all void space using cushioning material.
When sealing, use pressure-sensitive tape of at least 28mm width. Use an H-taping method: tape both ends of the box as well as where the flaps close. Seal all edges and seams.
Apply your labels to the top face of your package. They must be applied to a single surface.
For goods 30kg-70kg in weight, DHL recommends using a pallet or crate. If using a box, it must be capable of supporting the full weight of the goods. For goods heavier than 70kg, you must use a pallet or crate. Use quality hard wood for crates and brace them diagonally to increase strength. The wood must be heat or chemically treated prior to use.
Items on a pallet must be secured in place, with a level and even surface on top. Boxes should not overhang the pallet's edge.
DHL Express may not pick up goods that are improperly packed.
Size and Weight Restrictions
Restrictions may vary depending on the destination of your shipment. The following information is provided as a general guide:
- Maximum recommended weight for parcels: 70 kg (DHL are often flexible as to maximum weight, but please be prepared to assist drivers with parcels weighing more than 31.5kg). For the 9am service (or 10.30am to USA), the maximum weight is 30kg.
- Maximum dimensions per piece: 120 x 80 x 80 cm high
- Maximum pieces per shipment: 10 (for time-definite services)
- Maximum weight for palletised goods: DHL Express Worldwide: 300kg; DHL Economy Select: 1,000kg
- Maximum pallet dimensions: 300 x 200 x 160cm
For multi-piece shipments, DHL calculates the actual weight or the volumetric weight of each parcel (whichever is greater) and then adds them all together, rather than calculating the total weight or volume of the whole consignment.
Volumetric Weight
Your shipment will be charged by either actual weight or volumetric weight – whichever is greater.
Volumetric weight is a value derived from the size rather than the weight of your parcel and may apply if your parcel is particularly large and contains relatively light items.
DHL calculates volumetric weight by multiplying the three dimensions of your parcel together and dividing by 5000.
For example:
| Service | Parcel Weight | Actual Weight | Dimensions | Divisor | Volumetric Weight | Chargeable Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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10kg | 10kg | 50 x 30 x 20cm | 5000 | 6kg | 10kg |
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10kg | 10kg | 50 x 60 x 40cm | 5000 | 24kg | 24kg |
Surcharges
| Category | Description | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Brexit Fee | A fee levied on all dutiable shipments between Great Britain and European Union countries, both inbound and outbound. This fee is subject to change as the situation changes. | £0.25 per kg with a minimum charged amount of £4.50 per shipment. |
| Address Correction | Administered if any part of the delivery address requires amendment. | £9 per international shipment, £4.50 per domestic shipment |
| Saturday Delivery | For deliveries made on a Saturday. | £30 |
*DHL Express Worldwide is an air service; DHL Economy Select and DHL Domestic Express are road services.
Please note that surcharges on domestic (UK) deliveries are subject to VAT.
Prohibited Items
- Our list of hazardous, prohibited and owner’s risk items is available here.
- For up-to-date information specific to DHL, please check their prohibited items page. Please note that prohibited items are subject to vary depending on your delivery destination.
- Sending jewellery or watches? Refer to our Jewellery & Watches information page for carrier specific restrictions.
- If you’d like advice on whether or not your items are prohibited, please contact our Customer Services team via Live Chat, email or telephone (0345 145 1212 8:00am-6:30pm Mon-Fri, 9:00am-1:00pm Saturdays).
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