DHL Express has advised that they will be activating Demand Surcharge, effective 1 October 2026 until 5 February 2027, aimed at protecting service reliability during high-volume periods. This surcharge covers select DHL Express International shipping services. Medical Express and Express Easy are excluded.
The DHL Express network is built on a unique transportation model that combines dedicated DHL aircraft with commercial airline capacity, ensuring reliable service to over 220 countries and territories. When demand spikes beyond what the network is built to handle, DHL says shipment volumes can fluctuate significantly and exceed their network’s capacity base levels.
In recent years, global trade has experienced unprecedented volatility, making it increasingly unpredictable and challenging. This is where the Demand Surcharge helps DHL, allowing them to allocate additional resources and capacity where needed to navigate these complexities and deliver the high-quality service you expect.
In line with last year, the Demand Surcharge will apply per shipment in Australian Dollar (AUD) per kg according to the origin and destination.
For members using Time Definite Domestic (TDD) services, a separate Demand Surcharge will apply during the domestic peak period. Effective 1 November 2026 until 31 December 2026, a Demand Surcharge of Australian Dollar (AUD) per kg (billing weight) will apply to all eligible Time Definite Domestic shipments.
Want the details?
To stay up to date with the latest information about Demand Surcharge and to understand how these surcharges are calculated, DHL recommends visiting MyDHL+ Demand Surcharge Page
Need help?
Members with questions about these changes can contact DHL directly via aumca.querydesk@dhl.com | P: 1800 238 233 or reach out to their DHL representative.
