DHL adjusts energy surcharge: New short-term component since June 2026
DHL has adjusted the calculation of the energy surcharge for domestic business customer shipments as of June 1, 2026. In addition to the existing long-term component, a short-term component can now be levied. This is intended to take into account exceptional developments in the energy and transport markets.
Why was the energy surcharge adjusted?
Geopolitical crises and the resulting fluctuations in oil, diesel, electricity, and gas prices have a direct impact on the transport market. In addition to rising energy costs, this can lead to further burdens – for example, capacity bottlenecks, risk premiums charged by transport service providers, and increased planning and scheduling efforts.
The previous energy surcharge was primarily designed to reflect long-term changes in energy costs. However, it only partially accounted for short-term and exceptional market fluctuations. Therefore, DHL has added an additional, short-term adjustable component to the existing energy surcharge.
This is how the DHL energy surcharge is composed
The energy surcharge has consisted of two components since June 2026:
- The long-term component takes into account longer-term changes in the costs of diesel, natural gas and electricity.
- The short-term component may be levied additionally in the event of exceptional market changes.
Both components are added together and then calculated as a percentage of the base price of the shipment.
How is the short-term component determined?
The maximum level of the short-term component is based on the average price of North Sea Brent crude oil during the last ten available trading days.
The following upper limits apply:
- Up to and including 70 euros: 0,00%
- Above 70 to 75 euros: up to 1,50%
- Above 75 to 80 euros: up to 2,00%
- Above 80 to 85 euros: up to 2,50%
- Over 85 euros: up to 3,00%
*The values mentioned represent only the maximum possible amount. The actual short-term component may be lower. If the transport market eases, DHL may adjust them downwards, regardless of the oil price.*
Changes are possible on the 1st, 11th, and 21st of each month. The currently valid rates are published in advance on the DHL website.
You can find the current DHL rates at:
https://www.dhl.de/de/geschaeftskunden/paket/leistungen-und-services/energiezuschlag.html
