PostNL Surcharges
PostNL charges surcharges for certain services, such as extra options or large parcels. QLS has collected all surcharges on this page for you so that this is not a surprise. The prices for additional services, such as insured shipping or signature required, can be found on the pricing page of your account in my.QLS.
Do you have questions about the surcharges? Then contact your account manager. The surcharges on this page may be adjusted during the year when PostNL makes changes to the surcharges.
Note: the dimensions per parcel at PostNL differ from the dimensions at DHL. For example, parcel L is up to 50 liters at PostNL, while this is 60 liters at DHL.
| Description | Cost |
| Special handling PostNL charges this surcharge if a parcel meets one or more of the criteria in the table “Criteria Special Handling” (see Wijziging criteria PostNL toeslagen 2025). |
€4.50 |
| Special handling – heavy parcels Parcels with a weight between 23 kg and 31.5 kg (see Wijziging criteria PostNL toeslagen 2025). |
€5.20 |
| Energy surcharge The energy surcharge applies to all PostNL shipping methods within the Netherlands and Europe, except for Mailbox and PostNL non-EU products. The surcharge is based on the PostNL energy index, which depends on diesel pump prices and average energy rates. The rate may vary monthly. |
€0.08 |
| Exceeding maximum parcel dimensions Per parcel if dimensions > 175 x 78 x 58 cm or weight > 31.5 kg (see Wijziging criteria PostNL toeslagen 2025). In this case, the surcharges for Special Handling (Heavy Parcels) and Large Parcels will not be applied. |
€89.49 |
| Dropping off mailbox parcels at a PostNL location For dropping off a mailbox parcel at a PostNL location other than QLS, a surcharge applies. |
€4.50 |
| Peak surcharge For outbound and return shipments during the Peak Period. The exact dates are announced annually before June 1st on www.postnl.nl/tarieven. In addition, PostNL is entitled to charge (any) peak surcharges from foreign carriers engaged by them to the customer. |
€0.30 |
| Return to sender after refusal or non-delivery Rates according to the outbound rate (charged per parcel). |
n/a |
| Return shipment due to recall button A surcharge applies to parcels that must be returned to a customer following a recall request (made via MijnPostNL). |
€3.85 |
| Recall request via PostNL service team A surcharge applies for handling a recall request by the PostNL service team. |
€13.45 |
| PostNL parcel size S An additional surcharge is charged per parcel size on top of the base rate. Size S has a maximum weight of 5 kg and a maximum volume of 10 liters. Maximum dimensions: 95 x 70 x 58 cm. |
€0.00 |
| PostNL parcel size M An additional surcharge is charged per parcel size on top of the base rate. Size M has a maximum weight of 10 kg and a maximum volume of 24 liters. Maximum dimensions: 95 x 70 x 58 cm. |
€0.00 |
| PostNL parcel size L An additional surcharge is charged per parcel size on top of the base rate. Size L has a maximum weight of 15 kg and a maximum volume of 50 liters. Maximum dimensions: 95 x 70 x 58 cm. |
€0.25 |
| PostNL parcel size XL An additional surcharge is charged per parcel size on top of the base rate. Size XL has a volume between 50 dm³ and 100 dm³. |
€0.79 |
| PostNL parcel size XXL An additional surcharge is charged per parcel size on top of the base rate. Size XXL has a volume between 100 dm³ and 200 dm³. |
€4.50 |
| PostNL parcel size 3XL An additional surcharge is charged per parcel size on top of the base rate. Size 3XL has a volume larger than 200 dm³. |
€10.50 |
| Evening delivery | €2.20 |
| Do not deliver to neighbors | €0.64 |
| Signature on delivery | €0.64 |
| Age check on delivery | €3.30 |
| Extra Secure (insured up to € 100) | €1.35 |
| Extra Secure (insured up to € 250) | €1.90 |
| Extra Secure (insured up to € 500) | €2.75 |