Useful information for regular parcel consignments
On this page, we've collected important information
for our contractual partners to help with the preparations for parcel delivery.
Fuel surcharge
GLS charges a fuel surcharge because rising crude oil prices have a significant impact on the price of transport, and therefore also on parcel delivery costs.
The fuel surcharge is levied per parcel and displayed separately on invoice attachment.
Calculation of the fuel surcharge
GLS Hungary calculates the fuel surcharge monthly according to the NAV index. Once the fuel price is published, GLS determines the current surcharge.
Valid from April 2023
From 1. April 2023, we will apply a fuel surcharge above HUF 480 / litre, based on the market price of diesel as set by the NAV, HUF 4.5 (instead of the previous HUF 9) for domestic routes and 0.5% (instead of the previous 1%) of the freight charge for international packages for every HUF 10 / litre price change.
Month | Fuel (NAV) | Fuel (domestic parcel) | Fuel (import/export) |
January 2025 | 638 HUF | 72 HUF | 8% |
December 2024 | 612 HUF | 63 HUF | 7% |
November 2024 | 593 HUF | 54 HUF | 6% |
October 2024 | 609 HUF | 58,5 HUF | 6,5% |
September 2024 | 625 HUF | 67,5 HUF | 7,5% |
July 2024 | 610 HUF | 58,5 HUF | 6,5% |
June 2024 | 629 HUF | 67,5 HUF | 7,5% |
May 2024 | 653 HUF | 81 HUF | 9% |
April 2024 | 652 HUF | 81 HUF | 9% |
March 2024 | 638 HUF | 72 HUF | 8% |
February 2024 | 606 HUF | 58,5 HUF | 6,5% |
January 2024 | 614 HUF | 63 HUF | 7% |
December 2023 | 645 HUF | 76,5 HUF | 8,5% |
November 2023 | 682 HUF | 94,5 HUF | 10,5% |
October 2023 | 661 HUF | 85,5 HUF | 9,5% |
September 2023 | 602 HUF | 58,5 HUF | 6,5% |
August 2023 | 569 HUF | 40,5 HUF | 4,5% |
July 2023 | 562 HUF | 40,5 HUF | 4,5% |
June 2023 | 573 HUF | 45,0 HUF | 5,0% |
May 2023 | 606 HUF | 58,5 HUF | 6,5% |
April 2023 | 622 HUF | 67,5 HUF | 7,5% |
Between August 2022 - March 2023*
The diesel price of HUF 270 serves as a starting value for the calculation. So the fuel surcharge is 0 when the diesel price is HUF 270.
GLS Hungary charges an additional HUF 9 per domestic parcel and 1% per export and import parcel per diesel price increase of HUF 10.
Month | Fuel (NAV) | Fuel (GLS) | Fuel (domestic parcel) | Fuel (import/export) |
March 2023 | 686 HUF | 584 HUF | 288 HUF | 32% |
February 2023 | 721 HUF | 601 HUF | 306 HUF | 34% |
January 2023 | 713 HUF | 597 HUF | 297 HUF | 33% |
December 2022 | 825 HUF | 653 HUF | 351 HUF | 39% |
November 2022 | 748 HUF | 615 HUF | 315 HUF | 35% |
October 2022 | 820 HUF | 651 HUF | 351 HUF | 39% |
September 2022 | 751 HUF | 616 HUF | 315 HUF | 35% |
August 2022 | 815 HUF | 648 HUF | 342 HUF | 38% |
*in the reference months when the market price of diesel as determined by the NAV exceeds HUF 481 (current official price), we will apply a reduced settlement price of half of the difference between HUF 481/l and the market price of diesel set by the NAV (approximately 50% of the contractual fuel surcharge increase).
Information - Calculation method of fuel surcharge (HUF)
The discounted GLS fuel clearing price has been discontinued from 1 April 2023. Instead, we would like to simplify the calculation of delivery charges by introducing a more transparent system. This billing change does not result substantial differences in the final amount of the transport charges compared to the previous calculation method.
From 1. April 2023, we apply a fuel surcharge above HUF 480 / litre, based on the market price of diesel as set by the NAV, HUF 4.5 (instead of the previous HUF 9) for domestic routes and 0.5% (instead of the previous 1%) of the freight charge for international packages for every HUF 10 / litre price change.
The difference between the current fuel surcharge calculation threshold in our contracts and the new level of 480Ft/litre will be shown as a freight charge in our contracts, invoices and invoice notes in the future.
We would like to illustrate this with an example:
Calculation method | Freight charge | Fuel surcharge | Total | Amount covered by GLS |
until 31.03.2023 | HUF 1500 | HUF 315 | HUF 1815 | HUF 117 |
from 01.04.2023 | HUF 1689 | HUF 126 | HUF 1815 | HUF 117 |
The difference of HUF 189 between the two calculations is shown as a freight charge.
Information - Calculation method of fuel surcharge (EUR)
The discounted GLS fuel clearing price has been discontinued from 1 April 2023. Instead, we would like to simplify the calculation of delivery charges by introducing a more transparent system. This billing change does not result substantial differences in the final amount of the transport charges compared to the previous calculation method.
From 1. April 2023, we apply a fuel surcharge above HUF 480 / litre, based on the market price of diesel as set by the National Tax and Customs Administration, 0,015 € (instead of the previous 0,03 €) for domestic routes and 0.5% (instead of the previous 1%) of the freight charge for international packages for every HUF 10 / litre price change.
The difference between the current fuel surcharge calculation threshold in our contracts and the new level of 480Ft/litre will be shown in the future as a freight charge in our contracts, invoices and invoice notes.
We would like to illustrate this with an example:
Calculation method | Freight charge | Fuel surcharge | Total | Amount covered by GLS |
until 31.03.2023 | 4,00 € | 1,05 € | 5,05 € | 0,39 € |
from 01.04.2023 | 4,63 € | 0,42 € | 5,05 € | 0,39 € |
The difference of 0,63 € between the two calculations is shown as a freight charge.
Truck toll
The Hungarian government has levied truck tolls – since July 1, 2013 on motorways, highways and on main roads.
According to the Állami Autópálya Zrt ( www.utdij.hu ) vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes maximum weight are required to pay the toll. This includes almost all long-haul trucks and trailers used to transport parcels to distribution centres and depots in the GLS network.
The distance related fee depends on the following: the type of road the vehicle uses (highway, speedway, motorway or country road), the number of axles and the emission class.
Calculation of the truck toll
GLS Hungary passes on the truck toll partially to its customers. In order to make the truck toll calculation easier, GLS Hungary has applied a simplified and unified structure. For every domestic parcel, GLS Hungary charges a surcharge of net HUF 11 per kilogramme. For every export parcel the surcharge is net HUF 22 per kilogramme. The surcharge is disclosed separately and transparently on invoices. ParcelShop prices already include the charge.
Surcharge truck toll for domestic parcels | HUF 11 per kg |
Surcharge truck toll for export parcels | HUF 22 per kg |
Customs clearance process
Export parcels sent to third countries (non-EU countries) may leave the country after customs clearance. For customs clearance, we require a commercial/proforma invoice and a customs clearance order, which needs to be filled in, duly signed, stamped, and placed on the outside of the parcel (in a document holder or envelope).
Download Road Export Shipping and Customs Order
Download global shipping order
The below table shows whether we transport goods by road or air to the country selected by you. For transportation by road (for example to Switzerland, Norway, United Kingdom), please fill in the “Közúti export szállítmányozási és vámkezelési megbízás” (Export road freight forwarding and customs clearance order) form; for transportation by air (for example to the USA, China), please fill in the “GlobalBusinessParcel” transport order form.
The customs invoice should be typed and in English and contain the country of origin. The invoice value (and the individual items’ values) may not be zero.
If the consignment does not have a commercial invoice because, for example, it is a sample or a gift, then please fill in the “Proforma számla” (Proforma invoice) form from the downloadable documents.
To ensure an effective customs clearance and delivery, please always provide the phone number and email address of the consignee as well as a precise cargo description and the proper tariff heading. Descriptions such as “document”, “goods sample” or “parts” are too general and not acceptable for customs clearance.
If you have any questions, please call the GLS customer service!
Country | Normal export (no customs clearance) | Export customs (road transport) | Global (air transport) |
Albania | x | ||
Andorra | x | ||
Austria | x | ||
Azerbaijan | x | ||
Belgium | x | ||
Bosnia and Herzegovina | x | ||
Bulgaria | x | ||
Southern Cyprus (Greek) | x | ||
Northern Cyprus (Turkish) | x | ||
Channel Islands | x | ||
Czech Republic | x | ||
Dania | x | ||
Estonia | x | ||
France | x | ||
Gibraltar | x | ||
Netherlands | x | ||
Great Britain | x | ||
Croatia | x | ||
Ireland | x | ||
Iceland | x | ||
Canary Islands (Spain) | x | ||
Kazakhstan | x | ||
Kosovo | x | ||
Poland | x | ||
Latvia | x | ||
Liechtenstein | x | ||
Lithuania | x | ||
Luxemburg | x | ||
Macedonia | x | ||
Malta | x | ||
Moldova | x | ||
Monaco | x | ||
Montenegro | x | ||
Germany | x | ||
Northern Ireland | x | ||
Norway | x | ||
Italy | x | ||
Armenia | x | ||
Portugal | x | ||
Romania | x | ||
San Marino | x | ||
Spain | x | ||
Switzerland | x | ||
Sweden | x | ||
Serbia | x | ||
Slovakia | x | ||
Slovenia | x | ||
Vatican | x |
Embargo and delivery
Our customers send goods around the world every day. However, a number of countries and international organisations, including the European Union, impose certain restrictions, also known as sanctions, on what you can send to certain individuals, organisations or countries. Sanctions can take many forms but are generally aimed at preventing certain goods, services, finance and knowledge being supplied to particular recipients.
You may view the rules relating to prohibitions and restrictions on imports on the following website: https://www.nav.gov.hu/nav/vam/vaminformaciok
Secure packaging
Packing should suit the type, weight and robustness of the item being sent.
Outer packing
Goods packed in cardboard boxes made of high-quality, moisture-resistant, double-wall cardboard are generally well protected. Corner, surface and edge protection are especially important. New boxes are best; used boxes are only suitable for resistant goods. The heavier the contents, the more stable the outer packing needs to be.
Internal padding
Any empty spaces inside a box should be filled with padding. Goods should not be allowed to move around. The padding material used should be compatible with the goods being sent; precise-fit polystyrene moulds should be used for heavy and sensitive goods. No direct contact should be possible between goods and the outer packing.
Sealing
The parcel should be wrapped with adhesive tape and well-sealed on all sides. The heavier or larger the parcel, the stronger the adhesive tape needs to be. Robust sealing is essential for secure transport.
Attaching the parcel label
The label should be attached to the largest side of the parcel. Old stickers or router labels should be removed. Parcels should not be bundled together but instead sent individually. Each parcel should have its own label.
You can check here the flyer of the proper packaging.
Size and weight
The maximum weight is 40 kg for national delivery and for exports applies. Exceptions apply to a small number of countries for worldwide shipping. Contact the customer service for more information.
GLS sorts parcels in distribution centres using automated sorting systems. This allows it to deliver parcels quickly and economically. Parcels are not allowed to exceed certain dimensions so that they move smoothly on the conveyor belts. There is also an upper weight limit.
A parcel can be up to …
- 60 centimetres in height.
- 80 centimetres in width.
- 200 centimetres in length.
- 40 kg in weight.
Products and services matrix
GLS parcel and express products can be individually combined with a wide range of value-added services.
Addressing, parcel labels
Please ensure that the address is always made out in a legible manner!
We sort the parcels based on the postal code indicated in the address. Therefore, please pay particular attention to entering the exact postal code and the associated city name!
Always stick the label on the largest surface of the parcel but make sure it is not placed on the adhesive tape, as it will make scanning difficult later on.
Please also indicate the name and/or the telephone number of the entity or person ordering the service next to the company name in the address.
We recommend the following options for addressing parcels:
- Labels printed from the GLS Connect or the MyGLS programme
- (A4 or A6 size)
- Thermo label
Liability for damages
The packaging of the goods is the responsibility of the sender. GLS will only accept a claim for damages if the box shows no signs of external damage, i.e. the box is torn.
On the basis of general responsibility for damage (only if the damage is proven to be due to a fault on the part of GLS), payment of the transport fee will trigger automatic damage coverage for each parcel up to the net purchase price of the goods, but not exceeding HUF 50,000.
Damage coverage does not apply to damages caused by improper packaging and does not apply to the excluded products from transport.
More information about the complaints.
Brexit customer information - updated (26.01.2021)
All you need to know for Shipment to the UK after the Brexit: