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Direct DHL Contracts Save 40% — Agents Save Up to 80%
Many shippers assume that booking directly through DHL's official website is the cheapest option. In practice, going through an agent is often far more cost-effective. Courier companies like DHL and FedEx offer bulk-contract pricing to large agents who ship high volumes on their behalf — and those agents pass that pricing on to individual customers.
A direct DHL contract typically nets a 30–40% discount, while an agent like Tosome Logis can secure discounts of up to 80%. That means the same shipment can go out for roughly half the price.
Comparing the Four Major Couriers
| Category | DHL | FedEx | UPS | EMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Operator | DHL (Germany) | FedEx (USA) | UPS (USA) | Korea Post |
| Strongest regions | Asia & Europe | US & Europe | US & Canada | Japan & Southeast Asia |
| Speed | 1–3 days | 1–3 days | 2–4 days | 3–7 days |
| Dangerous goods | Yes (via agent) | Yes (via agent) | Yes (via agent) | Not accepted |
| Small samples | ◎ Strong | ◎ Strong | ○ Good | △ Limited |
| Agent discount | Up to 80% | Up to 75% | Up to 70% | Not applicable |
Best Courier by Route
| Destination | 1st choice | 2nd choice | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| US & Canada | FedEx IP | DHL Express | Strong domestic US delivery network |
| Europe (Germany, France, UK) | DHL Express | FedEx IP | DHL's strong European hub |
| Japan | DHL Express | EMS | EMS for small parcels, DHL for speed |
| Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, etc.) | DHL Express | EMS | DHL's strong local delivery network |
| Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia) | FedEx | DHL | FedEx's Dubai hub for the Middle East |
| China (export) | DHL | FedEx | DHL's deep customs clearance experience |
Understanding Volumetric (Dim) Weight
Couriers charge based on whichever is higher: actual weight or volumetric weight. If a box is large but its contents are light, the volumetric weight will be higher — pushing your cost above what you'd expect from the actual weight alone.
Volumetric weight = length(cm) × width(cm) × height(cm) ÷ 5,000
Example: 40 × 30 × 20cm = 24,000 ÷ 5,000 = 4.8kg
If the actual weight is 2kg, you'll still be charged based on 4.8kg
What Changes When You Ship Through Tosome Logis
Tosome Logis compares DHL, FedEx, and UPS rates side by side and recommends whichever carrier works best for your shipment. Rates are discounted up to 80% compared to booking direct, and even dangerous goods cargo can be shipped legally through our dedicated handling process.
Just tell us your cargo size, weight, destination, and deadline, and we'll send you a three-way comparison quote right away. Visit our International Courier page for more details.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is DHL or FedEx cheaper?
- It depends on the destination and weight. Send us your cargo details and we'll compare rates from both carriers at once.
- Did fuel surcharges rise a lot in 2026?
- As of Q1 2026, DHL and FedEx fuel surcharges have trended slightly higher than 2025. Since these change quarterly, it's important to check current rates at the time of shipping.
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