Hike in Shipping Costs: DHL Boosts International Parcel Rates - What You Need to Know
DHL Hikes Costs of International Parcel Shipping
Hang onto your wallets, folks! Logistics giant DHL is hiking up the prices for international parcel and packet shipments to select countries, starting as early as next month. This means you might end up paying up to three extra euros per package, depending on size and destination region. Domestic shipping rates will also see some changes.
In Bonn, DHL announced that packages weighing up to five kilograms within the European Union will cost approximately 20.49 euros - a euro more than the current rate. The PlusPak, including packaging, will now set you back 8.19 euros, an increase of 1.20 euros, and the shipping of tubes, used for posters, will double to 3.99 euros.
If you're shipping online, the costs will be lower. For packets of size M to Asia and Africa (excluding North Africa), prices will surge by three euros, reaching 22.99 euros. Some packages and packets to Russia will see even greater price hikes.
So, why the hefty price increase? It's all about labor, transportation, and delivery costs that have skyrocketed, according to DHL. Road transport costs have risen significantly, and there's a greater effort needed for handling international shipments, particularly those transported by airplane.
Economy Corner: Frank your shipments online, and you'll benefit from lower costs!
What's more, DHL is implementing some changes from July 1, 2025. The "Premium" service for private international shipping will be axed due to low demand. The 50- and 100-label economy sets for all products will be abandoned, while new 10-label economy sets for specific EU products will be rolled out. The maximum weight for international parcels will be capped at 30 kg, and a new 2 kg parcel option for non-EU shipping will be available online exclusively. Lastly, DHL is expanding the mobile parcel label (Mobile Paketmarke) for worldwide shipping without printed labels, with online franking discounts now available for global destinations.
Stay tuned for more updates on shipping costs as DHL continues to navigate the ever-evolving market conditions!
Sources: ntv.de, lar/AFP/dpa
- DHL
- Bonn
- German Post
- Parcel service
- Cost increase
Extra Insights: DHL's price increases are primarily driven by a combination of rising labor, transportation, and delivery costs, including terminal dues for delivery partners abroad, increased road transport expenses, and greater handling requirements (especially for air shipments). These operational pressures have been approved by the Federal Network Agency, affecting the Post & Parcel Germany division but not DHL Express products. The price adjustments will vary by destination country zone and weight, with many zones and weight categories remaining stable, but some seeing increases. Cylindrical shipments will become slightly more expensive due to higher handling costs, and DHL is also phasing out the "Premium" service for private international shipping, among other changes from July 1, 2025.
In light of the rising labor, transportation, and delivery costs, DHL is planning to adjust community policy for parcel and packet shipments from July 1, 2025. This includes the discontinuation of the "Premium" service for private international shipping, the introduction of new 10-label economy sets for specific EU products, a cap on the maximum weight for international parcels at 30 kg, and a new 2 kg parcel option for non-EU shipping available only online.
Moreover, vocational training programs may be essential for employees in the logistics industry to handle the increased operational pressures, as these operational pressures have been approved by the Federal Network Agency, affecting the Post & Parcel Germany division but not DHL Express products.Finance and business analysts may need to explore innovative strategies to manage costs in response to these price adjustments and ensure competitiveness in the market.
