The changes in fuel prices have resulted in increased costs for the air express industry globally, necessitating the implementation of fuel surcharge to be levied on shipments.

DHL Express in Asia Pacific now adopt an index linked surcharge with effect from 1st June 2004. The surcharge will rise, fall or be removed in line with movements in fuel prices (see table below). Details of the surcharge will be updated each month on this site.

The surcharge will be linked to the daily mid-spot price for a gallon of kerosene type jet fuel (Rotterdam ARA). Monthly fuel prices are published by the US Department of Energy and can be found at:

The fuel surcharge will vary in 0.5% steps and will be updated on a monthly basis according to the following scale:

Refer to the above, The Index table is revised, with changes to take effect from 1st October 2006.

Note: There will be a lag in the application of the index. For example, the monthly average price for fuel in April 2004 will be used to determine the applicable surcharge in June 2004. This is due to the release dates of the data.

DHL reserves the right to change the fuel surcharge index and table with or without notice. Both the amount and duration of the surcharge will be determined at DHL's sole discretion.

DHL Exel Surcharge Information

Customers of the former Exel, who now form part of either DHL Global Forwarding or DHL Exel Supply Chain, should still refer to the jet fuel price index and airline surcharges as per usual.

The Fuel Surcharge (FSC) depends on the actual price for jet fuel. DHL Global Forwarding must collect this for the carriers without adding any profit margin; this is a pass-through cost only.

Jet Fuel Index
For information on the current jet fuel price index:

Access the DHL Exel website

The jet fuel price index is as an average of the five most important spot markets - Rotterdam, Mediterranean, Far East Singapore, US-Gulf and US-Westcoast.

Security Surcharges

After the terrorist attacks of September 9 2001, all carriers had to increase their security measures tremendously, also for air freight transportation. To cover these and their heavily increased insurance costs, they implemented the Security Surcharge (SSC). DHL Global Forwarding must collect this for the carriers without adding any profit margin; this is a pass-through cost only.