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Emergency Fuel Surcharge.

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Emergency Fuel Surcharge.

The DPD emergency fuel surcharge is a variable fee added to shipping costs based on current energy prices. Due to fluctuations in diesel costs, the surcharge is updated monthly. It applies to domestic and international parcel deliveries as well as air freight services and is clearly stated on invoices.

Geopolitical conflicts and crises are increasingly leading to short-term and, in some cases, significant fluctuations in fuel prices. These developments have a direct impact on costs in the transportation and logistics industry. Since these factors are beyond DPD’s control, we are compelled to pass these costs on to our customers.

Therefore, starting in May 2026, DPD will impose an additional, variable surcharge: the Emergency Fuel Surcharge (EFS). The surcharge is based on the trend in diesel prices and will be adjusted monthly. Rising prices will lead to an increase in the surcharge, while falling prices will result in a corresponding reduction.

The EFS serves to transparently reflect exceptional developments in the energy markets. This provides us with a transparent and market-based mechanism to appropriately reflect exceptional external cost developments while ensuring the familiar quality and performance of our network.

The surcharge is updated on a monthly basis and will be shown on your invoice as “Emergency Fuel Surcharge”.

Emergency Fuel Surcharge of the last 12 months

Valid for DPD parcels from

Surcharge

Base Diesel price (net)

Base Diesel price (gross, for information purposes) 

Reference month

01.05.2026

2,91%

1,82 €/l

2,16 €/l

March 2026

Valid for DPD parcels from

01.05.2026

Surcharge

2,91%

Base Diesel price (net)

1,82 €/l

Base Diesel price (gross, for information purposes) 

2,16 €/l

Reference month

March 2026

Mechanism and calculation logic

The amount of the emergency fuel surcharge is based on the average diesel price reported by the ADAC for the month before last and follows a clearly defined and publicly transparent system:

  • Index basis: The calculation is based on the monthly average diesel price published by ADAC, converted into a net price.

  • Threshold: The surcharge applies only as long as, and whenever, the average net diesel price for the relevant index month exceeds €1,35 net per liter.

  • Calculation mechanism: For every increase of €0,05 (net) above this threshold, the surcharge will be adjusted by +0,29125%.

  • Reference period: The calculation is based on the net diesel price of the month before last month. Example: The surcharge for May 2026 is based on the average net diesel price in March 2026.

  • Publication and validity: The applicable surcharge rates will be published by mid of the previous month and will come into effect in the following month. Example: The surcharge for May 2026 will be published in mid-April 2026.

  • Calculation basis: The surcharge applies to the net parcel price plus the net sum of all surcharges, excluding toll, customs clearance, and the energy surcharge road/air.

  • Distinction from existing energy surcharge (road/air): The existing road/air energy surcharge will remain unchanged at its current level until further notice. No double charging will occur at any time.

The reference average prices for diesel fuel are published as gross prices on the website of the ADAC: ADAC Spritpreis der letzten 24 Monate

The table below shows the underlying diesel prices (net) as well as the corresponding surcharge levels. For information purposes, the non-binding gross prices are also listed for reference.

Mechanism and calculation logic

DPD Fahrzeuge auf der Straße DPD Fahrzeuge auf der Straße

The amount of the emergency fuel surcharge is based on the average diesel price reported by the ADAC for the month before last and follows a clearly defined and publicly transparent system:

  • Index basis: The calculation is based on the monthly average diesel price published by ADAC, converted into a net price.

  • Threshold: The surcharge applies only as long as, and whenever, the average net diesel price for the relevant index month exceeds €1,35 net per liter.

  • Calculation mechanism: For every increase of €0,05 (net) above this threshold, the surcharge will be adjusted by +0,29125%.

  • Reference period: The calculation is based on the net diesel price of the month before last month. Example: The surcharge for May 2026 is based on the average net diesel price in March 2026.

  • Publication and validity: The applicable surcharge rates will be published by mid of the previous month and will come into effect in the following month. Example: The surcharge for May 2026 will be published in mid-April 2026.

  • Calculation basis: The surcharge applies to the net parcel price plus the net sum of all surcharges, excluding toll, customs clearance, and the energy surcharge road/air.

  • Distinction from existing energy surcharge (road/air): The existing road/air energy surcharge will remain unchanged at its current level until further notice. No double charging will occur at any time.

The reference average prices for diesel fuel are published as gross prices on the website of the ADAC: ADAC Spritpreis der letzten 24 Monate

The table below shows the underlying diesel prices (net) as well as the corresponding surcharge levels. For information purposes, the non-binding gross prices are also listed for reference.

Emergency Fuel Surcharge - Table

Tabelle

DPD Emergency Fuel Surcharge – based on current diesel prices.

Here you can download the complete surcharge table.

Download

The surcharge applies to the net parcel price plus the net sum of all surcharges, excluding toll, customs clearance, and the energy surcharge road/air. DPD reserves the right to change the data source and the reference value of fuels and energy sources as well as the associated calculation basis without prior notice, and to decide anew on the applicable amount and duration. The published information is updated monthly.