No surprises
Courier charges explained
An unexpected courier charge is frustrating. Couriers price a parcel on more than its weight: size, shape, packaging, the address, customs paperwork and failed deliveries can all add a charge after it has shipped. Here's every one of them, what triggers it, a guide cost and how to avoid it.
Last checked 25 Sept 2026Royal Mail · Parcelforce · DPD · FedEx · SpringPrices excl. VAT
Charges can change. Couriers set these charges and can change them at short notice. Some change weekly (FedEx international fuel), some monthly (DPD and FedEx UK fuel), and some with 7 to 30 days' notice. Amounts are guide figures from the couriers' published price lists and terms at the date above. They are not a quote. The amount on your invoice is set by the courier's charge on the day of shipment and your Scale 3PL service agreement. Nothing on this page is legal or tax advice.
Common surprises
The six charges that surprise people most
Most extra charges come from one of these. Each is avoidable with the right data or packaging.
Volumetric weight
A light but bulky box is charged as if it were heavier. A 60 × 40 × 40 cm box of pillows is billed at 19.2 kg, not 2 kg.
Avoid it: Give us accurate product dimensions and use the smallest box that fits.
Size and weight limits
Parcels over about 25–30 kg, over 1 m long, or with a second side over 76 cm (FedEx) attract handling or oversize charges of £7 to £215.
Avoid it: Split heavy orders into more parcels and tell us about long or heavy SKUs up front.
Packaging that can't be machine-sorted
Tubes, rolls, polybags, shrink-wrap, straps or anything not in a cardboard box can trigger a manual handling charge.
Avoid it: Let us box awkward items. It usually costs less than the surcharge.
Wrong or incomplete addresses
Address corrections, re-labelling and returned parcels are all charged, and the return trip is often billed at the full delivery rate.
Avoid it: Validate addresses at checkout and include a phone number.
Duties, VAT and clearance fees
On international orders someone pays import VAT, duty and the courier's clearance fee. If it isn't you, it's your customer, at the door.
Avoid it: Choose DDP or IOSS, and send correct HS codes, values and country of origin.
Fuel and peak surcharges
Every courier adds a fuel percentage on top of the base price. Most also add a peak charge from October or November to January.
Avoid it: You can't avoid these, but you can plan for them. Build them into your shipping prices.
How weight is charged
How couriers work out chargeable weight
Every courier on this page charges on whichever is higher: the actual weight or the volumetric weight.
Volumetric weight
L × W × H (cm) ÷ 5,000 = kg
Used by FedEx, Parcelforce international and DPD air services. Example: 70 × 50 × 40 ÷ 5,000 = 28 kg. FedEx Regional Economy uses ÷ 4,000, which gives a higher weight.
Length and girth
L + (2 × W) + (2 × H) = girth
Many size limits and surcharges use this total, not the longest side. FedEx rounds any part of a centimetre up to the next whole centimetre (since August 2025).
Weight rounding
1.2 kg → 2 kg band
Weight is rounded up to the next weight break, usually 0.5 kg or 1 kg. A parcel just over a band is charged for the whole next band.
Charges by courier
Every charge, courier by courier
Every table uses the same layout. Filter by type of charge to compare couriers.
Royal Mail & Parcelforce Worldwide
Used for: UK letters and parcels, Tracked 24/48, International Business, Parcelforce express
Notice of changes: at least 30 days (14 days for fuel and international surcharges)
| Charge | When it applies | Guide cost | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel & energy surchargeFuel & seasonal | Added to Special Delivery, Tracked and Tracked Returns (Royal Mail) and all Parcelforce services. Calculated on the price after discounts. | Royal Mail 16% Parcelforce 13%, rising to 16% from 5 Oct 2026 | Unavoidable. Include it in your delivery pricing. |
| International surchargeFuel & seasonal | Added to International Business Tracked, Signed, Standard and Returns, and Parcelforce globalexpress and globalpriority. | 12% of price (from 3 May 2026) | Unavoidable. |
| Green surchargeFuel & seasonal | Per item on Special Delivery, Tracked, Returns and Parcelforce. | 5p per item | Unavoidable. |
| UK peak surchargeFuel & seasonal | Per item, 2 Nov 2026 to 10 Jan 2027. | 10p–22p Royal Mail 25p–30p Special Delivery & Parcelforce £5.00 express48large | Plan promotions and stock-ups before November where you can. |
| International peak surchargeFuel & seasonal | Per item on international services over the same peak period. | 10p–15p Royal Mail 25p Parcelforce | Unavoidable in peak. |
| Size, format & weight correction chargesSize & packaging | Item is bigger or heavier than the service or format paid for, e.g. a parcel sent as a Large Letter. | Per item, set out in Royal Mail's correction charges rate card | Accurate SKU weights and dimensions. We check format at packing. |
| Parcelforce manual handling surchargeSize & packaging | Parcels that can't go through the sorting machines (Parcelforce Manual Handling Guide criteria). | £4.15 per item (from 5 Oct 2026) | Box it in cardboard. Avoid tubes, bags and loose straps. |
| Parcelforce international volumetric weightSize & packaging | Parcels are volume-scanned before export and billed on the highest of declared, actual or volumetric weight. | Re-rated to the higher weight band | Right-size the box. |
| Return to senderReturns & failed delivery | Undeliverable, wrong address, gone away or refused. | RM24 parcel £3.50 RM48 parcel £2.50 RM24 large letter £2.50 RM48 large letter £1.50 Tracked & Parcelforce: contract rate | Validate addresses. Add house numbers and a phone number. |
| International customs data errorsCustoms & duties | Missing or incorrect electronic customs data (description, HS code, value, origin). | Per item, set out in Royal Mail's international correction charges rate card. Items may also be delayed or returned. | Keep HS codes, values and country of origin complete on every SKU. |
| Delivered duties paid (PDDP) handling feeCustoms & duties | When the sender pays the duty and tax so the recipient pays nothing at the door. | Ireland 50p · rest of EU £1.00 USA 50p · Switzerland £4.00 Norway £8.00 (per item) | A fee worth paying: it stops your customer being charged at the door. USA is DDP only. |
| Tracked Priority clearance fee (DTP)Customs & duties | Per consignment on International Business Tracked Priority sent Delivered Taxes Paid. | €5 per consignment Ireland €1.50 | Built into the service. Budget for it. |
| Fee to receive goods into the UKCustoms & duties | Charged to the UK recipient (e.g. a supplier's sample or an overseas return sent to us) on top of the VAT and duty. | Royal Mail £8 · Parcelforce £12 £25 for goods over £900 | Ask overseas senders to ship DDP. Use a proper returns service for international returns. |
| Unpaid or underpaid postageAdmin & extras | Charged to the recipient when postage is missing or short. | £1.50–£7.00 plus shortfall £10 oversize medium parcel | Only affects items not sent through our system. |
DPD (UK)
Used for: UK next day and timed delivery, Pickup shops, DPD Classic road to Europe, Air Classic and Air Express
Standard size limit: 30 kg and 1 m long per parcel
| Charge | When it applies | Guide cost | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel & energy surchargeFuel & seasonal | A variable percentage on all services, reviewed regularly against fuel and energy prices. | Variable %. See dpdlocal.co.uk/fuel | Unavoidable. |
| Congestion chargeDelivery & address | Deliveries into congestion-charge zones. | £0.95 per consignment | Unavoidable for those postcodes. |
| Highlands, islands & offshoreDelivery & address | Scottish Highlands and Islands, Northern Ireland, Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, Scilly and Channel Islands are priced separately. Many get a two-day service, not next day. | Higher delivery price than mainland UK | Show customers the delivery time and price for these postcodes at checkout. |
| Northern Ireland clearance chargeDelivery & address | Parcels from Great Britain to Northern Ireland. | £0.50 per parcel | Unavoidable. |
| 3rd / 4th party addressDelivery & address | A collection from, or delivery to, an address that isn't on the account (e.g. a collection from your supplier). Also added to returns sent back to a consignee. | UK £13.00 · offshore £15.50 Ireland £18.00 · Classic/Air £15.00 | Send stock to our warehouse and let us arrange onward delivery. |
| Nothing to collectDelivery & address | A booked collection where the parcel isn't ready. | £13.00 per collection | Only book collections when goods are packed. |
| Oversize / overweight (UK)Size & packaging | Parcels over DPD's standard limits (30 kg or 1 m long). | £24.00 per parcel | Split heavy orders. Tell us about long items. |
| Oversize export (Classic road)Size & packaging | Export parcels over the maximum weight and size in DPD's terms. | £22.00 per parcel | As above. |
| Non-conveyable handlingSize & packaging | Parcels that can't go on the sorting belts: round, tubes, loose bags, protruding items. | £7.25 per parcel | Box awkward items. |
| Air volumetric weightSize & packaging | Air Classic and Air Express are charged on volumetric weight (÷ 5,000) if higher. International maximum is 175 cm long and 300 cm girth. | Re-rated to the higher weight | Right-size the box. |
| RelabelAdmin & extras | DPD has to reprint or re-apply a damaged or missing label. | £0.60 per parcel | We print and apply labels to DPD's spec. |
| EU export clearance feesCustoms & duties | Every parcel to the EU on DPD Classic. Switzerland and Norway pay a higher clearance fee. | £4.75 per consignment + £3.75–£5.50 per parcel CH / NO: £25.00 per consignment | Built into every EU parcel. Include it in EU shipping prices. |
| Unsuccessful EU / NI exportReturns & failed delivery | Parcels to the EU or Northern Ireland that can't be exported, usually because customs data is missing. | £0.75 per parcel handling + return costs | Complete customs data on every SKU. |
| EU export returnReturns & failed delivery | Parcels DPD brings back from an EU/EFTA country (refused, undeliverable). | £3.75 per parcel surcharge + return rate £17.51–£35.00 per parcel by country | Correct addresses and phone numbers. Clear duties upfront so parcels aren't refused. |
| UK returns to senderReturns & failed delivery | Parcels returned to us after failed delivery. | Charged at the next-day delivery rate, plus any 3rd party charge | Redelivery attempts are free. Encourage customers to use Predict to rearrange delivery. |
| Extended liability (international)Admin & extras | Standard cover is limited (UK: £12 per kg up to £1,000 per consignment; international by weight or $100 for air). Extra cover is optional. | 1% of goods value, min £7.50, max £5,000 cover | Only needed for high-value goods. |
Free with DPD: redelivery attempts, Predict SMS and email notifications, and proof of delivery.
DPD (EU network, via DPD Netherlands)
Used for: parcels moving within Europe through DPD's Dutch network
Currency: euros (€), 2025 price list
| Charge | When it applies | Guide cost | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy surchargeFuel & seasonal | Variable monthly percentage on all services. | Variable %. See dpd.nl/fuel | Unavoidable. |
| Road toll surchargeFuel & seasonal | Parcels to or through countries with road tolls. | 1.9%–4.4% per parcel (e.g. Germany 4.4%, France 1.9%, UK 1.9%) | Unavoidable. |
| Non-standard parcel (NSP)Size & packaging | Over 130 cm long, over 20 kg, round or irregular, badly packed, or needs manual sorting. The rate depends on what share of all parcels are non-standard. | €1.89 (under 10% of parcels) €2.89 (10–15%) €4.89 (15%+) €6.89 (50%+) | Standard cardboard boxes, under 20 kg. |
| Excess size or weightSize & packaging | Over 175 cm long, over 31.5 kg, or girth over 300 cm. Small-parcel service: over 50 cm, 3 kg or 111 cm. | €46.50 per parcel Small parcel: €7.50 | Split into more parcels. |
| Remote area surchargeDelivery & address | Islands and remote postcodes, e.g. Canaries, Balearics, Greek and Italian islands, Corsica. | €7.79 (NL) to €83.19 (Svalbard) e.g. Spain €35.29, Portugal €53.99, France €23.39 | Show island pricing at checkout. |
| Age checkDelivery & address | Checking the recipient is 18 or over. Required for alcohol and tobacco in the Netherlands. | €1.79 per parcel | Only applies to age-restricted goods. |
| Return of undeliverable or refused parcelsReturns & failed delivery | Refused, undeliverable, or not collected from a pickup point (7 days) or locker (5 days). | Classic delivery rate + €2.75 | Correct address and phone number. |
| Failed collection requestReturns & failed delivery | DPD can't complete a collection for reasons outside its control. | €2.75 per parcel | Check the parcel is ready and labelled. |
| UK customs clearanceCustoms & duties | Parcels between the EU and the UK. | €3.59 per single-parcel shipment Bulk: €97.95 + €2.75 per HS code over 3 | Built in. Keep HS codes correct. |
| Non-EU Europe clearance (CH, NO, IS, LI, BA, RS)Customs & duties | Per shipment. An export document (EAD) is also needed for goods over €1,000. | €29.69 single parcel €43.49 multi parcel EAD €29.69 | Group items to the same customer into one shipment. |
| Manual changes, relabelling & labelsAdmin & extras | Changes DPD's software can't handle, a relabel, or labels not made with DPD-approved software. | Manual change €2.69 Relabel €0.69 · non-DPD label €1.09 | We use DPD-approved labels. |
| DPD International Express extrasAdmin & extras | On the express service: excess size or weight (over 31.5 kg, over 1.5 m), remote area, return, or an admin fee when duties and taxes are invoiced. | €22.09 each | Use road services where timing allows. |
| Proof of delivery after 12 monthsAdmin & extras | Requesting a POD more than 12 months after delivery. None issued after 24 months. | €2.69 per POD | Raise disputes early. |
FedEx
Used for: international express and economy, UK domestic express
Notice of changes: FedEx can revise surcharges at any time without notice
| Charge | When it applies | Guide cost | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel surchargeFuel & seasonal | International: changes weekly, based on jet fuel prices. UK domestic: changes monthly, based on UK diesel prices. Charged on transport and most other surcharges. | UK domestic 21% (5 Oct–1 Nov 2026) International: weekly %, see fedex.com/gb/fuelsurcharge | Unavoidable. |
| Demand (peak) surchargeFuel & seasonal | Per kg during high-demand periods (currently 21 Sep–1 Nov 2026). | Europe Economy £0.09/kg Europe Priority £0.28/kg US/Canada £0.40/kg Min £0.80 per shipment | Ship heavy or bulky stock outside peak. |
| Additional handling: sizeSize & packaging | Longest side over 121 cm, second-longest over 76 cm, or length + girth over 266 cm. These parcels are also billed at a minimum of 18 kg. | £31 per package (international) £12.95 (UK domestic) | Keep the second-longest side under 76 cm. A polybag over 76 cm also triggers it. |
| Additional handling: weightSize & packaging | Actual weight over 25 kg (the threshold was 31 kg until July 2025). | £30 per package (international) £12.95 (UK domestic) | Split into parcels under 25 kg. |
| Additional handling: packagingSize & packaging | Not in a corrugated cardboard outer. Wood, metal, plastic or polystyrene outers, shrink-wrap, tubes and drums, more than one strap, wheels or handles. | £21 per package (international) | Pack in a corrugated box. One strap is fine; two or more is charged. |
| OversizeSize & packaging | Longer than 243 cm, or length + girth over 330 cm. | £49.25 per package | Talk to us about freight options. |
| Unauthorised packageSize & packaging | Over FedEx's limits: longer than 274 cm, length + girth over 419 cm, or over 68 kg. FedEx may refuse or return it. | £215 per package (international) £75 (UK domestic) | Never send these as parcels. Use freight. |
| Address correctionDelivery & address | FedEx has to correct an incomplete or wrong address. | £7.50 per shipment | Validate addresses at checkout. |
| Extended / remote delivery areaDelivery & address | Remote postcodes abroad (three tiers). In the UK: Isle of Wight, Channel Islands, Scottish offshore islands. | Tier A £2.61 · Tier B £0.38/kg (min £18.50) Tier C £0.50/kg (min £23.50) UK: £13.61–£24.45 | Show remote-area pricing at checkout. |
| Saturday deliveryDelivery & address | When requested. | £16.50 international · £29.50 UK | Optional. |
| Signature optionsDelivery & address | When requested. Indirect signature is free. | Direct £2.00 · Adult £2.50 | Optional. |
| Duty & tax advance feeCustoms & duties | FedEx pays the import duty and VAT to customs and charges a fee for doing so. Billed to whoever pays the duties: the recipient on DAP, the sender on DDP. The rate varies by destination country. | UK imports: 2.5% of duty/tax, min £12.90 (from 20 Jul 2026) | Unavoidable where duty is due. Choose who pays upfront. |
| EU & US inbound processing feesCustoms & duties | Shipments into the EU from outside it (from 3 Aug 2026) and into the US. | £2.05 per shipment each | Unavoidable. |
| Broker selectionCustoms & duties | When the recipient uses their own customs broker instead of FedEx. | £1.14/kg, min £7.60 | Let FedEx clear unless you have a broker already. |
| Undeliverable & returned shipmentsReturns & failed delivery | Sender pays the return trip plus the original charges, and any storage or disposal costs, unless FedEx was at fault. Also applies if the recipient refuses to pay duties. | Return at full shipping rate + original charges | Correct address, phone number and email. Use DDP on high-duty goods. |
| Declared value (extra cover)Admin & extras | Cover above FedEx's standard liability (UK domestic £12/kg). | International £0.66 per US$100 UK £6 per £1,000 | Only for high-value goods. |
| Dangerous goods & dry iceAdmin & extras | Batteries, aerosols, perfumes, chemicals and similar need prior approval. | Dangerous goods £52–£86.81 UK: £5 limited qty, £25 fully regulated Dry ice £10.50 | Tell us about any hazardous products before they ship. |
| Invoice adjustmentsAdmin & extras | FedEx audits every shipment and re-bills if the weight, size, service or number of packages declared was wrong, plus a correction fee. | Difference in price + handling fee | Accurate weights and dimensions on every SKU. |
Spring (G3 Worldwide / PostNL group)
Used for: cross-border e-commerce parcels and packets, international returns
Notice of changes: 7 days
| Charge | When it applies | Guide cost | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rate and surcharge changesFuel & seasonal | Spring can change rates on 7 days' notice, including when its delivery partners raise prices. Rates exclude VAT, duties and surcharges. | As notified | We'll pass on notice when we receive it. |
| Duties & taxes: estimate, then true-upCustoms & duties | On duty-paid services, estimated duties and taxes are billed weekly, then the difference from the actual amount is billed later. | Actual duty/VAT; a later adjustment can be up or down | Correct HS codes and values keep the estimate close to the actual amount. |
| Failed IOSS or special customs conditionsCustoms & duties | If the conditions of IOSS or another customs scheme aren't met, the items aren't delivered and are returned at the sender's cost. | Return costs + any duties, penalties or fines | Only use IOSS for eligible orders (goods up to €150). |
| Customs penalties & costsCustoms & duties | The sender remains responsible for customs. Costs, penalties or interest from wrong data or customs action are recharged. | At cost | Accurate descriptions, values and origin. |
| National handling fees (e.g. Italy)Customs & duties | Some countries now charge their own fee on non-EU parcels. | Italy €2 per parcel (from 1 Jan 2026) | Unavoidable. Budget for it on EU orders. |
| Alternative routingDelivery & address | If Spring has to use a different route that costs more in transport or duties, Spring consults first and the extra is payable. | As agreed | Rare. |
| Non-compliance costsReturns & failed delivery | Extra costs caused by an incorrect or incomplete address, poor packing or prohibited items are recharged, and no compensation is paid. | At cost | Validate addresses. Declare restricted products. |
| Limited compensationAdmin & extras | Tracked and registered items are covered up to £25 per item. Untracked postal items have no cover at all. | Max £25 per item | Use a tracked service or a courier with extra cover for valuable orders. |
Duties & customs
Duties, VAT and customs
This applies to every courier. Since Brexit, every parcel between the UK and the EU goes through customs.
Who pays at the door?
- DAP / DDU (delivered at place / duties unpaid): your customer pays import VAT, any duty and the courier's clearance fee before delivery. Refused parcels come back at your cost.
- DDP (delivered duties paid): you pay upfront, and your customer pays nothing at the door.
- IOSS: for EU orders of goods up to €150, VAT is charged at your checkout and the parcel clears without door charges. You need an IOSS number.
What changed in 2026
- 1 July 2026: the EU scrapped its €150 duty-free limit. A temporary €3 duty per tariff line now applies to low-value parcels (3 different product types = €9) until July 2028, with or without IOSS.
- 1 November 2026: EU customs data will need product identifiers.
- National fees: Italy charges €2 per non-EU parcel from 1 January 2026. Other countries may follow.
- UK: the £135 low-value import relief is due to be removed by October 2028 at the latest. This will affect international returns and stock coming into the UK.
How import VAT is worked out
- VAT is charged on the goods value plus shipping plus any duty, at the destination country's rate (e.g. 21% in the Netherlands, 19% in Germany, 20% in France).
- UK-made goods can be duty-free under the UK–EU trade deal if they have a proof-of-origin statement. Goods made elsewhere and resold from the UK can't.
- If you're VAT-registered in the importing country you can usually reclaim import VAT. Your customer usually can't.
What we need from you
- An accurate product description for each SKU. "Clothing" won't pass; "women's cotton t-shirt" will.
- HS (commodity) code, country of origin and sale value.
- Your EORI number and, for EU orders, your IOSS number if you have one.
- Your choice of DAP or DDP for each destination.
Rotterdam clients
Reading a Dutch customs invoice
When goods are cleared in the Netherlands, the broker's invoice uses these Dutch terms.
AdministratiekostenAdministration fee
The broker's flat fee for handling the paperwork on the shipment.
InvoerrechtenImport duties
Customs duty paid to Dutch Customs (Douane) because the goods came from outside the EU. It's worked out from the customs value and the tariff rate for the goods' HS code. The broker pays it upfront and passes it on.
VoorschotprovisieDisbursement / advance fee
What the broker charges for paying the duties and VAT to Customs on your behalf. Usually a percentage of the amount paid, with a minimum charge.
BTWImport VAT
Dutch import VAT, normally 21%, charged on the customs value plus duties plus freight to the EU border. If you're VAT-registered in the Netherlands you can usually reclaim it on your VAT return.
Inklaring eindgebruiker kostenEnd-user clearance fee
The customs clearance (declaration) fee for clearing goods in the name of the final recipient (the "eindgebruiker", or end user), not your own name.
Not sure what a charge on your invoice is?
Send us the order number and we'll check it against the courier's invoice. We can also look at your products and packaging and tell you which of these charges you're likely to hit, before you ship.
Sources and small print
Compiled by Scale 3PL on 25 September 2026 from our couriers' terms and conditions and their published surcharge lists. Figures are the couriers' list or guide prices, excluding VAT. We don't publish the rates we've negotiated with couriers. Charges are passed on as set out in your Scale 3PL service agreement.
Royal Mail: surcharges; International rate card, Jan 2026; PDDP fees; import fees
DPD UK: DPD Local tariff guide and surcharges; dpdlocal.co.uk/fuel; DPD terms
DPD Netherlands: Surcharges Rates 2025 (version 2024/11); dpd.com/nl
FedEx: surcharges & fuel; UK rates & ancillary clearance; Value Added Services & Surcharges 2026; Additional Handling Surcharge guide; Conditions of Carriage
Spring: service alerts; Spring customer terms
Customs: European Commission customs reform; HMRC low-value imports
Client handbook
Guides and operational documentation for clients using Scale 3PL fulfilment services.
Visit our client handbook →