DHL, a major parcel delivery service in Germany, has announced an adjustment to its pricing structure for online retailers during the peak holiday season. This change includes a new, additional fee during the two weeks leading up to Christmas, which are expected to see the highest volume of shipments.

For the past three years, DHL has implemented a seasonal surcharge for parcel deliveries throughout November and December, recognizing the increased demand during this period. This year, however, the company is introducing a further, more specific charge for the two weeks experiencing the most significant surge in deliveries.

Specifically, DHL will apply an extra fee of 0.50 euros per parcel for shipments processed between Monday, November 24, and Sunday, December 7. This period encompasses Black Week and Cyber Week, which include Black Friday and Cyber Monday, traditionally high-volume shopping days.

The company has cited the need to manage the substantial increase in parcel volume during these peak weeks as the reason for this additional charge. The aim is to ensure the smooth and efficient delivery of parcels during a time when the delivery network is under significant strain.

This pricing adjustment could have a notable impact on German online retailers, who will need to factor in these increased delivery costs when setting prices and planning promotions. The additional fee may lead some retailers to reconsider their promotional strategies during the peak holiday season.

Notably, the timing of DHL’s highest rate period may encourage retailers to shift their focus towards Singles Day, a discount day originating in China that falls on November 11. This date falls outside the two-week period when DHL’s higher fees apply.

The recent partnership between DHL and Temu, a rapidly growing online marketplace, adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Temu’s increasing presence in the German market could further contribute to the surge in parcel volumes during the holiday season.

Retailers are now faced with the challenge of balancing promotional activities with increased delivery costs. They will need to carefully consider the timing of their sales and promotions to minimize the impact of the additional DHL fees.

For consumers, this change may result in slightly higher prices for online purchases during the peak holiday season. While the 0.50 euro fee may seem small, it could add up for retailers shipping large volumes of parcels.