Select Destination
Asia Pacific (SG, HK, MY, TH, etc.)
Oceania (Australia, New Zealand)
North America (USA, Canada, Mexico)
Europe (UK, DE, FR, IT, ES, etc.)
Middle East & South Asia
Rest of the World (Africa, South America)
Parcel / Non-Document
Document
Required for Volumetric Weight calculation
Actual Weight:0 kg
Volumetric Weight:0 kg
Chargeable Weight:0 kg
Base Shipping Rate:₱0.00
Fuel Surcharge (Est. 18%):₱0.00
VAT (12%):₱0.00
Total Estimated Cost:₱0.00
*Note: This calculator uses standard dimensional factors (L*W*H/5000) and estimated zonal rates for DHL Express from the Philippines. Actual rates may vary based on specific city codes, daily fuel indices, and account-specific discounts.
Understanding DHL Shipping Rates from the Philippines
Sending packages internationally from the Philippines requires a clear understanding of how logistics companies like DHL calculate their shipping fees. Whether you are an e-commerce seller in Manila shipping to the US, or sending personal care packages to relatives in the Middle East, this guide explains the cost factors involved.
1. Actual Weight vs. Volumetric Weight
One of the most confusing aspects of international shipping is the difference between the physical weight of your package and its volumetric weight. DHL, like most air couriers, charges based on the Chargeable Weight, which is the higher of the two.
Actual Weight: The number you see when you put your box on a weighing scale (in kilograms).
Volumetric Weight: A calculation of the space your package occupies on the aircraft. The formula used is: (Length x Width x Height in cm) / 5000.
Example: If you ship a lightweight pillow (1kg) in a large box (50cm x 50cm x 50cm), the volumetric weight is (50*50*50)/5000 = 25kg. You will be charged for 25kg, not 1kg.
2. Zone-Based Pricing
Shipping rates from the Philippines are categorized by Zones. The further the destination or the more complex the logistics, the higher the zone rate.
Zone
Typical Regions
Price Level
Asia Pacific
Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan
Lowest
Oceania
Australia, New Zealand
Moderate
Americas
USA, Canada
High
Europe
UK, Germany, France
High
3. Additional Surcharges
The base rate is rarely the final price. When budgeting for shipping, you must account for:
Fuel Surcharge: This fluctuates monthly based on global oil prices. It typically ranges from 15% to 25% of the base freight charge.
VAT: In the Philippines, a 12% Value Added Tax is applied to domestic and certain international transport services arranged locally.
Remote Area Surcharge: If the delivery address is in a remote location outside standard courier routes, an additional fixed fee applies.
4. Documents vs. Parcels
Sending documents (paper only) is generally cheaper and undergoes a faster customs clearance process than parcels (non-documents/goods). Parcels require a commercial invoice and may be subject to destination duties and taxes, which are usually paid by the receiver unless DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) is selected.
Pro Tip: To save on costs, minimize the empty space in your box to reduce volumetric weight, and always declare accurate values to avoid customs delays.
function calculateDHLRate() {
// 1. Get Inputs
var destination = document.getElementById('destination').value;
var type = document.getElementById('shipmentType').value;
var weightInput = document.getElementById('weight').value;
var lenInput = document.getElementById('length').value;
var widInput = document.getElementById('width').value;
var hgtInput = document.getElementById('height').value;
// 2. Validation
if (!destination) {
alert("Please select a destination region.");
return;
}
if (!weightInput || parseFloat(weightInput) 0 && width > 0 && height > 0) {
volWeight = (length * width * height) / 5000;
}
// Round weights up to nearest 0.5 as per carrier standard usually,
// but for simple calculation we keep 2 decimals then ceil the chargeable for pricing steps.
// DHL usually bills by 0.5kg increments.
var chargeableWeight = Math.max(actualWeight, volWeight);
// Round chargeable weight up to nearest 0.5kg
chargeableWeight = Math.ceil(chargeableWeight * 2) / 2;
// 4. Rate Definition (Estimated Matrix in PHP)
// Base rate for first 0.5kg + Rate per additional 0.5kg
// These are ESTIMATES for demonstration purposes representing market averages.
var rates = {
'asia_pacific': { base: 1400, add: 250 }, // Nearby Asia
'oceania': { base: 2200, add: 550 }, // AU/NZ
'north_america':{ base: 2800, add: 750 }, // USA/CA
'europe': { base: 3100, add: 800 }, // EU
'middle_east': { base: 3300, add: 900 }, // ME
'rest_world': { base: 4500, add: 1100 } // Africa/LATAM
};
var selectedRate = rates[destination];
var baseCost = 0;
// Calculate Base Cost
if (type === 'document' && chargeableWeight <= 2.0) {
// Document discount for light weights
baseCost = (selectedRate.base * 0.8) + ((chargeableWeight – 0.5) * 2 * (selectedRate.add * 0.8));
} else {
// Parcel or heavy document
// First 0.5kg is Base. Remaining weight is (Weight – 0.5).
// Number of additional 0.5kg units = (Weight – 0.5) * 2
if (chargeableWeight <= 0.5) {
baseCost = selectedRate.base;
} else {
var additionalUnits = (chargeableWeight – 0.5) * 2;
baseCost = selectedRate.base + (additionalUnits * selectedRate.add);
}
}
// 5. Surcharges
var fuelSurchargePercent = 0.18; // ~18% estimated
var vatPercent = 0.12; // 12% PH VAT
var fuelCost = baseCost * fuelSurchargePercent;
var subTotal = baseCost + fuelCost;
var vatCost = subTotal * vatPercent;
var totalCost = subTotal + vatCost;
// 6. Display Results
document.getElementById('resActualWeight').innerText = actualWeight.toFixed(2) + " kg";
document.getElementById('resVolWeight').innerText = volWeight.toFixed(2) + " kg";
document.getElementById('resChargeableWeight').innerText = chargeableWeight.toFixed(2) + " kg";
document.getElementById('resBaseRate').innerText = "₱" + baseCost.toLocaleString('en-PH', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('resFuel').innerText = "₱" + fuelCost.toLocaleString('en-PH', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('resVat').innerText = "₱" + vatCost.toLocaleString('en-PH', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('resTotal').innerText = "₱" + totalCost.toLocaleString('en-PH', {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('resultsArea').style.display = "block";
}