DHL International Express Shipping Rates from China to the UK

DHL Express Notes

Basic rules

• The quotation does not include fuel surcharge. The fuel surcharge is adjusted monthly according to DHL's official announcement, usually ranging from 15% to 20% of the freight cost, and needs to be calculated separately when confirming the final payment.
• The billing weight is calculated based on the larger of the actual weight and the volumetric weight (volumetric weight = length × width × height / 5000, unit: cm). For light and bulky goods (such as furniture, textiles), volumetric weight is often the billing standard, so reasonable packaging to reduce volume is recommended.

Main surcharges

• Remote area surcharge: 4.8 CNY/kg, minimum 240 CNY per shipment. Remote areas in the UK include parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and some islands. It is recommended to confirm the destination postcode with DHL in advance to avoid additional costs.
• Oversize/overweight surcharge: 570 - 855 CNY per item (for goods with length ≥ 120cm or weight ≥ 70kg). For oversized goods such as mechanical parts, it is necessary to declare the size and weight in advance to confirm whether the aircraft can carry them.
• Special handling fee: 2235 CNY per item (if the outer box is marked as non-stackable). This fee is usually applicable to fragile goods (such as glass products, precision instruments) that require independent placement, and needs to be specified in the shipping note when booking.

Goods requirements

• Restrictions on single piece/single shipment: Single piece weight > 1000kg, single shipment weight > 3000kg, single side length > 300cm are not accepted. For ultra-heavy or ultra-large cargo, it is recommended to split the shipment or choose dedicated air freight instead of express.
• Packaging requirements: Goods must be properly packaged; naked packaging or irregular packaging is not accepted. Common acceptable packaging includes cartons, wooden boxes (fumigation-free), and pallets. Fragile goods need to be filled with shock-absorbing materials (such as bubble film, foam) to prevent damage during transportation.
• Prohibited goods: DHL strictly prohibits shipping flammable, explosive, toxic, and controlled items (such as batteries, alcohol, drugs). For sensitive goods (such as cosmetics, electronic products with batteries), it is necessary to provide relevant certification materials (such as MSDS) and confirm with the freight forwarder in advance.