DHL recalculates tariffs – Kommersant FM

The DHL company sharply increased delivery tariffs in Russia, the price increase was 35%, writes RBC. Previously, the company indexed them by 10%. The carrier explained its actions by “unprecedented challenges”, which forced it to rebuild its logistics chains. German DHL has sharply reduced the volume of services provided in Russia and only serves transportation abroad.

The company has no major foreign competitors left in the country, which it took advantage of, noted General Director of Infoline-Analytics Mikhail Burmistrov:

“All the main international players have left Russia. Naturally, in some directions the competition has weakened greatly, and although the volume of cross-border shipments to Europe has decreased quite significantly, DHL’s share there has actually grown very significantly. Therefore, the company took advantage of, in essence, its monopolistic position and carried out such a price increase.”

DHL itself, responding to a request from Kommersant FM, called the tariff increase “standard practice.” But this year, the rise in prices was greatly influenced by the weakening ruble: because of it, goods and services, air travel, fuel and components became more expensive.

At the same time, the cost of delivery itself per kilogram did not change; prices for related services, for example, surcharges for non-standard dimensions, increased. And before, DHL kept tariffs low, so its customers will not feel any sudden changes, explained Georgiy Vlastopulo, CEO of Optimalog:

“Western carriers, who mainly held this market, have left. Russian companies cannot enter this register, because there are certain criteria from the Federal Customs Service. Considering that all these goods are delivered through air harbors and airports, it is quite difficult to fulfill these criteria for an ordinary logistics company that does not have significant administrative and financial resources.

Meanwhile, DHL continues to lose this market by performing some cross-border transportation. And no one really gets into this vacated segment. Russian Post is trying to do something, but it also has certain problems, including financial ones. In addition, Western markets are closed to the company.

However, DHL’s tariffs were so low that the current increase for dangerous goods, for example, for lithium-ion batteries, is not so critical.

I emphasize once again that they were somewhere even in the lower price category. Those who travel with DHL will most likely remain its customers. There are simply no other options for now.”

In its report, global DHL said it tried to sell the Russian business, but due to changing conditions it “became impossible.” Most likely, it simply did not find a buyer, says Sergei Novikov, partner of the GRM legal group: “The company is good in its competencies, software package, and personnel. Who can buy this business? Company from Russia? Why would she do this? She will immediately fall under sanctions.

Buyers from friendly countries? For them, this asset can be quite toxic. Accordingly, DHL was left with no choice but to continue operating.

And in order to maintain the profitability of the business, they naturally began to raise fees for services and increase their marginal income.”

DHL stopped delivering goods in Russia in September 2022. The company explained this by “technical difficulties and legislative restrictions”: the carrier’s Russian business was disconnected from the global network, which ensures the automation of local delivery.

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Ivan Koryakin