USA carrier fee guide
DHL Express United States Additional Charges & Surcharges
Review published 2026 DHL Express U.S. surcharges and customs clearance charges, including additional handling, remote areas, dangerous goods, brokerage support, duty processing, and bonded services.
Read the fee before the fine print
See the fee, billing unit, and trigger before you ship
DHL Express publishes U.S. surcharges and customs services by shipment, piece, pallet, weight, destination, entry type, and service condition. These FreightXO charts keep the billing unit visible and condense the conditions most useful to working shippers. They are a reference guide, not a DHL quote or invoice calculation.
DHL's 2026 U.S. rate update took effect January 1, 2026. The live carrier page can be updated or supplemented during the year.
DHL publishes separate export and import percentages by week. Use the live carrier page for the percentage in effect on the shipment date Check the current fuel surcharge.
The chart distinguishes DHL customs-service fees from duties, taxes, bonds, regulatory assessments, and government charges. Which amounts apply depends on the shipment and clearance requirements.
Additional charge chart
DHL Express U.S. additional charges, customs clearance & brokerage fees
Fixed amounts reproduce DHL's current published U.S. surcharge and customs-services schedules and are shown in U.S. dollars. Transportation charges, optional services, customs-service fees, duties, taxes, bonds, regulatory assessments, and other applicable charges remain separate unless a row states otherwise.
Additional handling & data-correction fees
These charges are assessed per piece, pallet, or shipment. The billing unit and exclusion rules materially affect the total.
| Charge | Amount | Where it applies | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overweight Piece | $100.00 USD per piece | Every piece, including a pallet, over 150 lb by scale or volumetric weight for shipments originating in the U.S. and U.S. Territories. The threshold is 70 kg for other origins. | Assessed for each qualifying piece, not once per shipment. |
| Oversize Piece | $30.00 USD per piece | A piece, including a pallet, with a longest side over 40 in. or second-longest side over 32 in. for shipments originating in the U.S. and U.S. Territories. | Does not apply to a piece already subject to the Overweight Piece surcharge. |
| Non-Stackable Pallet | $355.00 USD per pallet | A pallet that cannot be stacked because of the shipper's request, shape, contents, or packaging material. | Does not apply to pallets below 25 kg. |
| Non-Conveyable Piece | $30.00 USD per piece | A piece from 56 lb to 150 lb for U.S. exports, or a piece requiring special handling because of its enclosure, material, wrapping, shape, wheels, handles, straps, or entanglement risk. | Does not apply to a piece already subject to the Overweight Piece or Oversize Piece surcharge. |
| Address Correction | $25.50 USD per shipment | A shipment with an incomplete, outdated, or incorrect destination address that prevents delivery. | DHL searches for and determines the correct address so delivery can be completed. |
| Data Entry | $6.50 USD per shipment | A shipping label that is incomplete or was not produced electronically to DHL standards. | Applies when DHL must enter shipment data manually. |
Remote-area & security surcharges
Pickup location, delivery destination, geopolitical risk, and trade restrictions control these shipment-level charges.
| Charge | Amount | Where it applies | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remote Area Delivery | Greater of $50.00 USD or $0.50 per lb. (or per 1/2 kg) per shipment | Delivery to a location DHL classifies as distant, difficult to access, or infrequently served. | The greater fixed or weight-based amount applies. Verify the destination against DHL's current remote-area coverage. |
| Remote Area Pickup | Greater of $50.00 USD or $0.50 per lb. (or per 1/2 kg) per shipment | An import shipment collected from a location DHL classifies as distant, difficult to access, or infrequently served. | The greater fixed or weight-based amount applies. Verify the pickup location before shipping. |
| Elevated Risk | $30.00 USD per shipment | A shipment to or imported from a country where DHL identifies continuing war, civil unrest, or terrorism threats. | Affected countries can change. This charge may apply in addition to Restricted Destination. |
| Restricted Destination | $30.00 USD per shipment | A shipment to or imported from a country subject to specified UN or national trade restrictions. | Affected countries and restrictions can change. This charge may apply in addition to Elevated Risk. |
Dangerous-goods & regulated-shipment surcharges
Classification, packaging, service eligibility, shipper approval, and a contractual agreement determine whether DHL accepts the shipment and which fee applies.
| Charge | Amount | Where it applies | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Dangerous Goods | $165.00 USD per shipment | Shipments containing fully regulated substances or commodities accepted under the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations. | A contractual agreement is required, and DHL excludes certain classes and UN numbers from acceptance. |
| Dry Ice UN1845 | $8.50 USD per shipment | Dry Ice UN1845 used as a freezing agent for non-dangerous goods such as diagnostic specimens. | A contractual agreement is required. |
| Consumer Goods ID8000 | $27.50 USD per shipment | Eligible retail-form consumer goods covered by IATA ID8000, including certain perfumes, aerosols, nail varnish, and prescription medicines shipped B2C. | A contractual agreement is required, and the goods must meet the ID8000 classification and packaging rules. |
| Biological Substances UN3373 | No charge | Biological Substances Category B UN3373 or genetically modified organisms under UN3245 accepted with DHL Medical Express. | A contractual agreement is required. Service eligibility and acceptance rules still apply. |
Fuel & temporary surcharge status
These amounts are time-sensitive. The live DHL percentage or status on the shipment date controls.
| Charge | Amount | Where it applies | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel Surcharge | Variable weekly export or import percentage | DHL Express transportation charges and specified services and surcharges, including remote area, residential, Saturday, additional handling, security, and active temporary charges. | DHL publishes weekly percentages using its U.S. Gulf Coast jet-fuel index and may change the index or table. Check the live rate for the shipment date. |
| Emergency Situation Surcharge | Suspended since April 1, 2024 | The suspension applies from all origins to all destinations and for all products. | DHL may reactivate the surcharge and determine its amount and duration. |
| Demand Surcharge | Suspended since February 17, 2026 | The suspension applies from all origins to all destinations and for all services in scope. | DHL may reactivate the surcharge. When active, qualifying Demand Surcharges can apply cumulatively. |
Customs preparation & export services
These fees cover declarations, bonded movements, multi-line entries, temporary movements, and origin documentation.
| Charge | Amount | Where it applies | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Export Declaration | $15.00 USD per shipment | An export that exceeds a value or weight threshold or contains controlled commodities requiring an export declaration. | The filing requirement depends on the shipment and applicable export controls. |
| Bonded Transit | $90.00 USD per shipment | A shipment moved under customs bond, including certain movements to ships, aircraft, bonded warehouses, or Free Trade Zones. | Applies when DHL must arrange and manage the bonded movement. |
| Multiline Entry | $5.00 USD per line after 5 lines, with a $10.00 USD minimum | A customs entry containing more than five commodity lines, including different commodities or countries of manufacture. | The charge begins after the first five lines and is subject to the published minimum. |
| Temporary Import Export | $150.00 USD per shipment | A temporary export and re-import or temporary import and re-export, such as goods moved for repair, testing, or exhibition. | Required documentation and customs procedures must support the temporary movement. |
| Preferential Origin | $10.00 USD per shipment | Preparation or provision of a Certificate of Origin, Proof of Preference, or similar origin form requested by the shipper. | Eligibility for preferential duty treatment depends on the goods and applicable trade rules. |
Customs clearance & brokerage service fees
These fees cover non-routine entries, bonded storage, permits, inspections, broker coordination, bonds, and post-clearance work.
| Charge | Amount | Where it applies | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Routine Entry | $35.00 USD per shipment | Goods excluded from routine clearance because of value, weight, commodity, tariff, formal-entry, or destination requirements. | May also apply where DHL uses a contracted third-party broker for formal clearance. |
| Bonded Storage | $30.00 USD plus $0.08 USD per kg per day, with a $50.00 USD minimum | A shipment that cannot be released by customs and remains in storage after the published free period. | Charges begin after three working days and apply to the duty and tax payer. |
| Permits and Licenses | $28.00 USD per shipment | Controlled imports requiring permit or licence information for agencies such as the FDA or EPA. | The charge applies to the duty and tax payer. Government or certificate fees may be additional. |
| Clearance Processing | $15.00 USD per shipment | An import requiring additional processing to meet government-agency requirements. | Applies when DHL incurs additional clearance-processing work. |
| Customs Physical Intervention | $20.00 USD per shipment | A non-routine physical customs inspection involving a full or partial unload, sample marking, or sample mutilation. | Government inspection or handling costs may be separate. |
| Broker Notification | $55.00 USD per shipment | An import where the customer designates another broker and DHL provides the clearance paperwork before delivery resumes. | DHL states that it is not responsible for the broker's submission timing or customs release. |
| Post Clearance Modification | $90.00 USD per shipment | A request or customs requirement to change declared values, classifications, importer details, or other clearance data after declaration. | Changes must be supported by documents confirmed by the importer or exporter. |
| Continuous Bond | $525.00 USD minimum per 12-month period | A customer requesting that DHL purchase a continuous customs bond covering qualifying entries for one year. | Bond value is determined under customs requirements and higher values use tiered pricing. |
| Controlled Export | $65.00 USD per shipment | A U.S. Department of State shipment requiring advance approval and specialized Controlled Export Team handling. | ACE AES filing and licence-presentation deadlines apply. |
| Single Clearance | $35.00 USD per shipment | A shipment requiring individual formal clearance rather than consolidated manifest clearance. | Can apply by importer request, CBP Live Entry requirement, or antidumping and countervailing-duty conditions. |
Duty processing, government & paperwork charges
This group distinguishes DHL administrative or document fees from duties, taxes, bonds, and other amounts imposed or controlled by government authorities.
| Charge | Amount | Where it applies | Key condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duty Tax Processing: Account Holders | $17.50 USD or 2% of the fiscal charge, whichever is higher | An account-holder shipment where DHL advances duties, taxes, or regulatory charges to accelerate customs clearance. | The receiver is invoiced for the fiscal amount under the applicable disbursement arrangement. |
| Duty Tax Processing: Non-Account Holders | $17.50 USD or 2% of the fiscal charge, whichever is higher | A non-account receiver where DHL processes import duties, taxes, or other regulatory charges. | This is an administrative processing charge in addition to the underlying fiscal amount. |
| Other Government Agency | Variable government charges | Goods subject to bio, health, phytosanitary, veterinary, quarantine, CITES, Fish and Wildlife, or similar agency controls. | Charges vary with government requirements, licences, permits, inspections, and possible overtime. |
| Regulatory Charges | $1.34 USD per shipment | Additional charges assessed by customs authorities to complete import or export clearance, such as an express consignment fee. | This is a regulatory assessment, not a transportation charge. |
| Import/Export Taxes | Variable government charges | Taxes assessed by U.S. Customs based on the value and circumstances of imported goods. | Government rules and the declared transaction determine the amount. |
| Merchandise Processing | 0.3464% of net entered value, minimum $33.58 USD and maximum $651.50 USD | Formal customs entries subject to the U.S. Merchandise Processing Fee. | This is a customs-imposed fee. Published minimums and maximums can change. |
| Under Bond/Guarantee | $5.00 USD per $1,000.00 USD of bond, with a $50.00 USD minimum | A single-transaction bond used when the customer does not have a continuous bond. | The required bond amount depends on customs and shipment requirements. |
| Import/Export Duties | Variable government charges | Duties assessed by U.S. Customs based on the goods, origin, classification, and applicable trade measures. | Additional duties can arise after audit or adjustment of an estimated entry. |
| Import Paperwork | $25.00 USD per paper packet or $2.10 USD per soft copy | Additional copies of import documents previously supplied to the importer or ultimate receiver. | Electronic availability varies, and express-manifested clearance files may not be available. |
| Clearance Paperwork | $20.00 USD per shipment | A Customs Invoice that is missing or requested for an international non-document shipment. | Applies when DHL prepares or attaches the customs documentation. |
Carrier source
Verify the carrier source before shipping
Carrier charges, customs-service fees, government assessments, affected locations, fuel percentages, and temporary surcharge status can change. The charts keep the 2026 schedules visible and link to DHL's live U.S. surcharge, customs, and status pages.
- Primary source
- DHL Express United States: Surcharges & Customs Services
- Source effective date
- January 1, 2026; fuel updates weekly
- DHL states that surcharges apply in addition to transportation rates and other applicable charges and are billed under the schedule in effect when the shipment is tendered.
- Customs-service fees, duties, taxes, bonds, regulatory assessments, and government charges are separate. Which amounts apply depends on the shipment and clearance requirements.
- The no-charge Biological Substances UN3373 row is retained because contractual, service, and acceptance conditions still apply.
- This page summarizes published carrier information. DHL's current schedule, service status, quote, invoice, account agreement, and shipment eligibility control the final charge.
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