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DHL Hikes International Small Package Rates

[ June 20, 2025   //   ]

Parcel service giant DHL said it will “moderately increase” prices for private customer parcels and small packages sent abroad, effective July 1.

DHL said it will adjust parcel prices for different country zones variably and more cost-oriented. In many zones and weight categories, parcel prices will remain stable.

Additionally, DHL will classify small packages into the same country zones that already exist for parcels.

Bonn, Germany-based DHL said it plans to introduce two new products for private customers. On July 1, it will launch a new parcel up to 2 kilograms (4.4 pounds) for non-EU shipping, which will be available exclusively online. Previously, such a weight category was only available for parcels within Germany and to the EU.

At the same time, DHL will terminate the insurance up to 50 euros (US$57) for international small packages. Moreover, private customers will be able to use the Mobile Paketmarke, or mobile parcel label, for shipping to countries outside the EU. With the QR code, online parcels and small packages can also be dropped off for worldwide shipping at branches and machines such as a Packstation or Poststation, without the sender having to print the shipping label themselves. The price advantage of DHL’s online franking, which amounts to 1.50 or 3 euros per shipment for non-EU shipping, will thus also be available for customs destinations in the future.

DHL will also discontinue its premium service for international parcel shipping for private customers due to lack of demand. Additionally, the shipping of cylindrical shipments will be slightly more expensive due to higher handling costs.

Furthermore, DHL limits the maximum weight of international parcels to 30 kilograms, as most receiving countries only accept this maximum weight according to the Universal Postal Convention.

DHS said the July price adjustments was due to significantly increased labor, transportation and delivery costs. The terminal dues for delivery partners abroad have increased under the regulations of the Universal Postal Union, and transportation costs, especially for road transport, have risen. Additionally, there are higher requirements and thus a greater effort for handling international shipments transported by air. The Federal Network Agency has already approved the price changes. The price adjustments only apply to the Post & Parcel Germany corporate division, not to DHL Express products.

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