If you regularly ship internationally from Nigeria with DHL Express, there’s an important pricing update you should know about.

DHL Express has announced that its Demand Surcharge will take effect from 1 October 2026 and remain in place until 5 February 2027.

During this period, selected DHL Express international shipments will attract an additional ₦1,260 per kg, depending on the shipment’s origin and destination.

Before you start doing shipping maths in your head, here’s what the update actually means and how to prepare for it.

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What is the DHL Demand Surcharge?

Think of the Demand Surcharge as a temporary additional shipping fee applied during periods when significantly more packages are moving through DHL’s global network.

International shipping demand tends to increase towards the end of the year as businesses restock, people send gifts, retailers fulfil more orders, and global commerce picks up around major shopping and holiday periods.

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DHL operates a global transportation network combining its dedicated aircraft with capacity from commercial airlines. When shipping volumes rise significantly, the company may need additional capacity and resources to maintain its service levels.

The Demand Surcharge helps cover some of the additional operational requirements associated with these periods.

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How much is the DHL Demand Surcharge in Nigeria?

For the 2026/2027 period, the announced surcharge is: ₦1,260 per kg

The surcharge applies per shipment based on its origin and destination and will affect selected DHL Express international shipping services.

It is important to remember that this is an additional charge and not the complete cost of shipping your package.

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When does the new DHL surcharge start?

The DHL Express Demand Surcharge takes effect on 1 October 2026

It is scheduled to remain in effect until 5 February 2027

So, if you are planning international shipments between October 2026 and early February 2027, particularly during the busy end-of-year shipping season, it is worth factoring the surcharge into your shipping budget.

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Why does DHL introduce a Demand Surcharge?

International logistics doesn’t operate at the same volume throughout the year.

Peak shipping periods can create significant increases in the number of packages moving between countries. DHL says that global trade has also become increasingly volatile and unpredictable in recent years.

The temporary surcharge allows DHL Express to allocate additional resources and transportation capacity when required to manage higher shipment volumes while maintaining its international delivery network.

In simple terms: more packages moving around the world can mean more capacity is required to move them.

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What does this mean for Terminal Africa customers?

If you book an eligible DHL Express international shipment through Terminal Africa during the surcharge period, the applicable Demand Surcharge will be reflected in the shipping rate.

There is no separate process you need to complete because of this update.

However, the surcharge makes comparing available shipping options even more important.

With Terminal Africa, you can compare available courier rates for your shipment before booking, helping you make a more informed decision based on your destination, package and shipping requirements.

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How can you manage international shipping costs during this period?

A temporary surcharge doesn’t mean you have to stop shipping internationally.

A few practical decisions can help you manage your shipping costs better:

• Compare courier rates before booking. Don’t automatically assume your usual courier will provide the best rate for every shipment.
• Enter accurate package dimensions and weight. Incorrect shipment information can affect your final shipping cost.
• Plan shipments early where possible. If you already know you’ll be sending inventory, customer orders or personal packages internationally, avoid leaving everything until the busiest periods.
• Check the total shipping cost. Consider the complete cost of your shipment rather than looking at the base shipping rate alone.
• Consolidate shipments where practical. Businesses sending multiple items to the same destination may want to assess whether combining shipments makes commercial sense.

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Compare international shipping rates with Terminal Africa

The DHL Demand Surcharge will temporarily affect selected international shipments, but you still have options.

Terminal Africa gives individuals and businesses access to multiple local and international courier services from one platform, making it easier to compare shipping rates and choose an option that works for each shipment.

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So whether you’re sending customer orders, business inventory, documents, gifts or personal packages abroad, you can check your available options before you ship.

The important dates to remember are simple:

1 October 2026 – Demand Surcharge begins
5 February 2027 – Demand Surcharge ends
₦1,260/kg – Applicable DHL Demand Surcharge, depending on origin and destination

Planning an international shipment?

Compare available shipping rates and book your shipment with Terminal Africa.

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