DPD (Dynamic Parcel Distribution) is part of Geopost, with networks operating in nearly 50 countries and deliver 8.4 million parcels worldwide each day. It’s the second largest express parcel courier that services Europe.
In this article, we offer an in-depth understanding of DPD parcel sizes and delivery options to help you decide the best options for your ecommerce business.
Comprehensive guide to DPD parcel sizes
Understanding DPD parcel sizes is crucial for UK-based ecommerce businesses that want to ship locally and internationally.
Choosing the right options helps to optimise shipping processes, prioritises cost-efficiency and profitability, and increases customer satisfaction.
DPD max parcel size is something to consider when shipping large parcels. Make sure your DPD parcel size (girth + longest side) is not more than 3 meters. Meanwhile, its weight can be up to 31.5 kg, and length up to 1.75 m.
Here is an overview.
| Local DPD shipping | ||
| Service name | Maximum weight | Maximum dimensions or size restrictions |
| Door 2 Door UK Services | 30 kg | Maximum girth: 230 cm Maximum length: 100 cm |
| ExpressPak Services | 5 kg | Maximum girth: 82 cm Max length: 52 cm |
| DPD Drop Off UK Services | 20 kg | Maximum weight: 20 kg Maximum length: 60 cm |
| DPD Ireland Two Day | 30 kg | Maximum girth: 230 cm Maximum length: 100 cm |
| International DPD parcel delivery | ||
| Service name | Maximum weight | Maximum dimensions or size restrictions |
| DPD Classic / DPD Air Classic / DPD Air Express | 30 kg | Maximum girth: 300 cm Maximum length: 1.75 cm |
| DPD Classic/ DPD Air Classic / DPD Air Express– drop off | 20 kg | Maximum girth: 180 cm No side longer than 60 cm |
DPD parcel sizes by use case
DPD shipping costs are different for each SKU that is shipped. It varies based on product size and weight, speed of delivery, insurance coverage, distance travelled, and even type of product.
Premium bag for items weighing up to 5kgs:
| DPD 10:30 | £23.47 to £26.99 per parcel |
| DPD 12:00 | £16.58 to £20.10 per parcel |
| DPD Next Day Delivery | £9.68 to £13.19 per parcel |
| Saturday and Sunday surcharge | £26.24 to £36.68 per parcel |
Parcels – For a single item weighing up to 30kg or up to 1 meter in length:
| DPD 10:30 | £36.04 per consignment (inclusive of first 10 kg) + £0.87 per kg |
| DPD 12:00 | £29.14 per consignment (inclusive of first 10 kg) + £0.87 per kg |
| DPD Next Day | £22.23 per consignment (inclusive of first 10 kg) + £0.71 per kg |
| Saturday and Sunday Surcharge | £38.66 per consignment (inclusive of first 10 kg) + £0.71 per kg |
Freight – for a single item weighing between 31 and 350kg:
| DPD 10:30 | £60.57 per consignment (inclusive of first 31 kg) + £0.89 per kg |
| DPD 12:00 | £49.36 per consignment (inclusive of first 31 kg) + £0.89 per kg |
| DPD Next Day | £42.46 per consignment (inclusive of first 31 kg) + £0.89 per kg |
| Saturday and Sunday Surcharge | £67.67 per consignment (inclusive of first 31 kg) + £0.89 per kg |
| International shipping service | Rates |
| DPD Air Classic | European destinations: £98.46 to £120.90 (up to 30 kg), depending on the zone |
| Non-European destinations: £54.56 to £79.86 (up to 30 kg), depending on the zone | |
DPD Express | European destinations: £51.23 to £60.54 (up to 0.5 kg), depending on the zone |
| Non-European destinations: £64.11 to £93.99 (up to 0.5 kg), depending on the zone |
All these rates have been sourced from DPD’s tariff card.
Here are some sample shipping rates for different goods that have different fulfilment requirements (not all of which can be fulfiled by ShipBob):
| Item | Dimensions | Weight | DPD service | DPD pricing starting from (for shipping within the UK and exclusive of VAT)* |
| A book | 22.9 cm x 15.2 cm | 142 gm | Door 2 Door – Next Day | £7.79 |
| Door 2 Door – Saturday | £17.99 | |||
| Drop off at Shop | £6.39 | |||
| A canvas | 50 cm x 50 cm | 1 kg | Shop to Shop (You drop off at a chosen shopRecipient collects from their nearest shop) | £3.99 |
| A violin for kids | 33 cm | 500 gm | Door 2 Door – Sunday | £24.99 |
| A chair | 175 cm x 80 cm | 30 kg | Door 2 Door – Next Day | £16.99 |
| A laptop | 38 cm x 26 cm | 4 kg | Door 2 Door – By 12 | £14.99 |
ShipBob partners with DPD for unparalleled order fulfilment
ShipBob partners with DPD, combining its fulfilment technology with DPD’s robust shipping network. Thanks to this partnership, ecommerce businesses can optimise their shipping strategy, save costs, and improve last-mile delivery for customer satisfaction.
Find out more about ShipBob’s DPD partnership.
“The UK is our home base, and all the customers we ship to are in the UK. We spoke to some classical, British-owned fulfilment companies in our search, but ShipBob turned out to be perfect for us.
We had no concerns about ShipBob’s HQ being in the US — if anything, it was more of a positive! ShipBob has done incredibly well in the US, and their track record reassured us that we can grow together with ShipBob as it ramps up its international operations.”
Adelina Zotta & Connor Westby, Co-Founders of NutriPaw
Whether you are deciding on DPD vs Royal Mail or DPD vs DHL, ShipBob is a trusted omnichannel fulfilment and shipping partner for growing ecommerce businesses.
DPD parcel size FAQs
Below are answers to the most common questions about DPD parcel sizes.
What if my parcel exceeds the standard DPD size limit?
A surcharge of £21.20 per parcel applies if the parcel exceeds the maximum weight and dimensions offered by DPD for UK delivery. For overseas shipping, you need to also deal with the parcel’s volumetric dimensions (L x W x H / 5000). If its max weight is more than 31.5 kg, you will have to pay the surcharge.
How is the shipping cost calculated based on parcel size?
Shipping cost is calculated by the girth of the package by adding together the width and the height – and doubling the total.
Can I send multiple small items in one large parcel with DPD?
When shipping from UK, you can pack a few small items together into one large parcel as long as it falls under DPD’s acceptable dimension and weight limit.
How does ShipBob manage returns with DPD?
ShipBob provides merchants with the option to choose return preferences. You can learn more about ShipBob’s return processes here.
