{"id":14017,"date":"2023-05-17T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-05-17T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/blog\/dpd-vs-dhl\/"},"modified":"2025-09-23T13:18:36","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T13:18:36","slug":"dpd-vs-dhl","status":"publish","type":"blog","link":"https:\/\/www.shipbob.com\/au\/blog\/dpd-vs-dhl\/","title":{"rendered":"DPD vs. DHL: How to Choose the Best Courier For Your Business"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Table of Contents<\/p>

** Minutes<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

DPD vs. DHL: simplified<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A breakdown of DPD services<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A breakdown of DHL services<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DPD vs. DHL: who to choose<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ShipBob connects you with a powerful courier network<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

With limited time and many options, it can be tempting for ecommerce brands to think that all courier services are more or less the same. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In reality, even the smallest differences are crucial to finding the best shipping solution for your business.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take DPD and DHL. While the names sound similar, these two delivery companies are far from interchangeable. By carefully evaluating the differences in their service offerings, price points, and value-adds, you can determine which is a better fit for your business\u2019s needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ll break down the key differences between DPD and DHL, including international coverage, prices, insurance coverage, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

DPD vs. DHL: simplified<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here is a comparison table that outlines the key features and characteristics of each courier:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/td>DPD<\/strong><\/td>DHL<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
What it is<\/strong><\/td>European-focused courier<\/td>Major courier with a global network<\/td><\/tr>
Best For:<\/strong><\/td>– Shipments within Europe (especially to\/from the UK)

– A single, heavy item <\/td>		– International shipments<\/a>, especially those bound outside Europe
– Smaller, lighter packages<\/td><\/tr>
Value-Adds<\/strong><\/td>– Mobile tracking app
<\/td>		– Customs clearance facilitation
– Accompanied and\/or dedicated transport upon request<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A breakdown of DPD services<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

DPD (short for Dynamic Parcel Distribution) is one of the largest and most popular parcel delivery services in Europe. DPD delivers 5.3 million goods every day, and has a solid reputation for being customer-friendly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here is some basic information about the shipping giant\u2019s services, offerings, and policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

International coverage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

DPD\u2019s geographical coverage is extensive, with 70,000 pick-up points and drop off parcelshops across Europe alone. Businesses can ship to 230 countries, and choose from a variety of shipping services to find a delivery window that fits their needs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Service<\/strong><\/td>Description<\/strong><\/td>Shipping Timeline<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
DPD Direct<\/td>Ground shipping<\/a> via partnerships with local couriers<\/td>3-8 business days<\/td><\/tr>
DPD Air Classic<\/td>Air shipping<\/td>2-5 business days<\/td><\/tr>
DPD Express<\/td>Expedited air shipping<\/td>1-3 business days<\/td><\/tr>
DPD International Mail Standard<\/td>Standard international shipping specifically for businesses sending 2 kg of mail per day<\/td>Within Europe: 7-14 days To the rest of the world: 14-21 days<\/td><\/tr>
DPD International Mail Priority<\/td>Expedited international shipping specifically for businesses sending 2 kg of mail per day<\/td>Within Europe: 2-7 days To the rest of the world: 6-10 days<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

DPD\u2019s international shipping cost includes online tracking<\/a>, \u00a3459.57 of insurance<\/a> cover, and pick up from the consignor, and allows for DDU and DDP<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost per shipment<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

DPD\u2019s next day delivery cost for 1 kg parcels is \u00a322.23 per consignment for shipping within England, Scotland, and Wales. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>

Premium bag for items weighing up to 5kgs:<\/strong><\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DPD 10:30<\/td>\u00a323.47 to \u00a326.99 per parcel<\/td><\/tr>
DPD 12:00<\/td>\u00a316.58 to \u00a320.10 per parcel<\/td><\/tr>
DPD Next Day<\/td>\u00a39.68 to \u00a313.19 per parcel<\/td><\/tr>
Saturday and Sunday Surcharge<\/td>\u00a326.24 to \u00a336.68 per parcel<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>

Parcels – For a single item weighing up to 30kg or up to 1 meter in length:<\/strong><\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DPD 10:30<\/td>\u00a336.04 per consignment (inclusive of first 10kg) + \u00a30.87 per kg<\/td><\/tr>
DPD 12:00<\/td>\u00a329.14 per consignment (inclusive of first 10kg) + \u00a30.87 per kg<\/td><\/tr>
DPD Next Day<\/td>\u00a322.23 per consignment (inclusive of first 10kg) + \u00a30.71 per kg<\/td><\/tr>
Saturday and Sunday Surcharge<\/td>\u00a338.66 per consignment (inclusive of first 10kg) + \u00a30.71 per kg<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>

Freight<\/strong><\/a> – for a single item weighing between 31 and 350kg:<\/strong><\/p><\/p>\n\n\n\n

DPD 10:30<\/td>\u00a360.57 per consignment (inclusive of first 31kg) + \u00a30.89 per kg<\/td><\/tr>
DPD 12:00<\/td>\u00a349.36 per consignment (inclusive of first 31kg) + \u00a30.89 per kg <\/td><\/tr>
DPD Next Day<\/td>\u00a342.46 per consignment (inclusive of first 31kg) + \u00a30.89 per kg<\/td><\/tr>
Saturday and Sunday Surcharge<\/td>\u00a367.67 per consignment (inclusive of first 31kg) + \u00a30.89 per kg<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
International service<\/strong><\/td>Rates<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
DPD Air Classic<\/td>European destinations: \u00a398.46 to \u00a3120.90 (up to 30 kgs), depending on the zone <\/td><\/tr>
Non-European destinations: \u00a354.56 to \u00a379.86 (up to 30 kgs), depending on the zone <\/td><\/tr>

DPD Express<\/td>		European destinations: \u00a351.23 to \u00a360.54 (up to 0.5 kgs), depending on the zone <\/td><\/tr>
<\/td><\/tr>
Non-European destinations: \u00a364.11 to \u00a393.99 (up to 0.5 kgs), depending on the zone <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

All these rates have been sourced from DPD\u2019s tariff card<\/a>. Keep in mind that their delivery rates are exempt from VAT when comparing rates with other couriers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Insurance options<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Almost all shipping options offered by DPD offer up to \u00a3459.57 of coverage. In case your SKUs<\/a> are worth more than that, you can opt for higher insurance. This option is available only for contract customers in combination with DPD Classic (by road) and DPD Home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For DPD Classic, the extended insurance is charged at 1% of the value of goods, offering a maximum cover of \u00a35,000 per consignment, and your business is allowed to add higher insurance to 20 parcels per calendar month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With DPD Air Classic and DPD Express, the standard liability is $100 per parcel. As with DPD Classic, the insurance for DPD Air Classic and DPD Express can be extended by paying 1% of the value of the consignment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delivery policy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Under DPD\u2019s delivery policy, the customer must acknowledge that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n