Fuel & Temporary Surcharges
Useful documents, updates and resources
Fuel Surcharge
Due to significant fluctuations in the cost of fuel, our carrier partners and industry as a whole, apply Fuel Surcharge to their consignments as percentage of the overall cost.
These charges are often calculated in line with the consumer price in Sterling (GBP) of diesel fuel for UK overnight services and on the Jet Price Fuel Monitor as published by IATA for international services.
Current Fuel Surcharges:
(Last updated 16th January 2023)
UK (RDS delivered) Same Day services = 5% (with effect 01st September 2023)
UK (RDS delivered) Overnight services = 5% (with effect 01st September 2023)
UK Overnight services = 10%
International Road services = 15%
International Air services = 20%
Temporary Surcharge
As of 16th January 2023, RDS eCommerce will be absorbing the, DHL Parcel (UK Mail) 2% Emergency Fuel Surcharge (EFS) adjustment, into the quoted fuel % amount on the RDS portal for all customers, for total transparency.
This surcharge will therefore no longer appear on our invoice, and an ‘unquoted’ additional surcharge.
A temporary DHL Parcel/UKMail (13p) & DPD (20p), UK ‘HGV Driver Shortage’ applies to all shipments / items (for multi-piece).
RDS will pass this surcharge at cost on our invoice, in addition to the quoted rate on the portal, until further notice. are now quoting this surcharge within the quoted rate on the RDS portal.
Although the ESS for most lanes will not change, DHL are making adjustments for specific origin/destination combinations. This adjustment reflects changes in market dynamics, air capacity availability and operational restrictions imposed related to COVID-19 measures from local governments:

RDS will now include this surcharge, along within the EU / BREXIT Export fee.
For all additional charges with DHL Express, please click here.