Parcel center in Brandenburg (archive picture): Particularly heavy deliveries are becoming more expensive
Photo: Z1022 Patrick Pleul / dpa
Deutsche Post subsidiary DHL is increasing package prices for business customers at the turn of the year.
The reasons are the sharply increased transport costs, higher personnel costs and the major investments in expanding the post and parcel infrastructure, Germany's largest parcel delivery company announced on Tuesday.
In online retail, the logistics giant's move met with fierce criticism.
According to DHL, the price increases affect business customers with at least 200 parcels per year, but also major customers with individually agreed conditions.
The price increases are particularly pronounced for heavy parcel shipments over 20 kilograms, which are associated with significantly higher effort in sorting and delivery and whose handling is also made more difficult due to the corona protective measures.
The company did not provide any specific information on the extent of the price increase.
This partly differs from customer to customer.
The e-commerce association bevh sharply criticized the Post's plans.
Managing Director Christoph Wenk-Fischer said that many stationary retailers are currently looking to enter online trading due to Corona.
"Such a price increase is a fatal signal and a hurdle for them."
The price increase will primarily affect small and medium-sized companies that cannot counter the price demands of the logistics giant enough bargaining power, he judged.
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dab / dpa