From July 1st, 2025, DHL will implement a new monthly fee structure for business customers who use its parcel and return services in Germany. This change applies to sellers using the DHL Business Customer Portal and has already been communicated directly to them through the platform.

The fee, which applies to both DHL Parcel and DHL Returns, will be charged as a flat monthly amount, regardless of how many parcels a seller sends. This means that whether a business sends 10 or 10,000 parcels in a month, the fixed fee remains the same. DHL’s Small Parcel service is not affected by this change.

The flat monthly fee will range between €7.95 and €119.95. According to DHL, the amount each seller pays depends on the individual tariff agreement they have in place with the company. There is no additional charge per parcel under this new system, and DHL has also announced a reduction in parcel shipping prices to accompany the introduction of the fee.

DHL says the change is part of its regular annual price adjustment and aims to encourage higher shipment volumes. “The average costs per parcel are automatically reduced as the shipment volume increases,” a company spokesperson said. This means that businesses sending more parcels each month could see an overall decrease in their average shipping cost per item.

This latest update follows DHL’s earlier announcement this year of a planned surcharge during two peak shopping weeks in November and December. That surcharge will remain in place, meaning businesses now face both a flat monthly charge and a seasonal peak fee during the busiest time of the year.

For small online sellers or those with low shipping volumes, the monthly flat rate may feel like an added burden. On the other hand, businesses shipping larger volumes might benefit from the reduced parcel rates, especially if they can spread the monthly fee across many shipments.

At DMSMatrix, we’re keeping a close eye on how these changes affect our customers. Businesses who rely on DHL for eCommerce fulfillment should review their shipping volumes and costs to see how the new fee structure will impact them. Adjusting logistics strategies or exploring alternative delivery options may be worthwhile, especially for lower-volume sellers.

We’ll continue to provide updates and guidance as this change takes effect in July.