Useful information for regular parcel consignments

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.

To the current diesel price

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.

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.

*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).

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:

The difference of HUF 189 between the two calculations is shown as a freight charge.

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:

The difference of 0,63 € between the two calculations is shown as a freight charge.

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 12 per kilogramme. For every export parcel the surcharge is net HUF 24 per kilogramme. The surcharge is disclosed separately and transparently on invoices. ParcelShop prices already include the charge.

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

Download Proforma Invoice

HMRC Registration - manual

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!

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.

The Sender is responsible for complying with all applicable rules and regulations regarding export from Hungary and import prohibitions and restrictions in force in the country of destination.

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.

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.

GLS parcel and express products can be individually combined with a wide range of value-added services.

Here you can see the matrix.

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

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.

Click here for the list of settlements targeted by the Express service

All you need to know for Shipment to the UK after the Brexit:

Here you can download the customer information

The Romanian government has introduced a 25 RON (5 EUR) logistics fee for each parcel entering Romania as part of a distance sale originating from a non-EU country, with an intrinsic value below 150 EUR.

The fee has been effective since 1 January 2026.

Shipments are affected if they meet all of the following criteria:

• The goods are part of a distance sale.
• The shipment originates from outside the European Union.
• The declared intrinsic value is below 150 EUR.
• The parcel is delivered to a recipient in Romania.

Shipments not meeting these criteria are not subject to the fee.

According to Article XXII(4) of the Romanian regulation, the responsibility lies with:

• the supplier of the goods,
• the person dispatching the parcel, or
• the digital platform facilitating the sale.

This means: Shippers are legally required to provide all relevant origin and customs information.

Shippers must supply:

• Confirmation whether the parcel is a direct import from a non-EU country.
• All required customs-related data, including declaration-of-origin information.
• Accurate shipment data that matches the invoice, product description, and physical goods.

Incomplete or incorrect data may result in penalties.

GLS is legally responsible for:

• collecting the logistics fee,
• declaring it to Romanian authorities,
• and remitting it by the legal deadline.

We can fulfil these obligations only if shippers provide accurate shipment information.

Incorrect, incomplete, or misleading information may result in:

• penalties by authorities,
• additional administrative handling,
• delays in parcel processing,
• incorrect fee allocation.

Any costs, penalties, fines, or damages incurred by GLS as a result of incorrect shipper information will be charged back to the responsible customer.

1. EU-Based Shippers

For customers whose goods are produced and stored within the EU: You may declare that none of your shipments qualify for the logistics fee: General Customer Declaration

2. Irregular Shippers / Mixed Goods

For customers whose shipping profiles do not fit the above categories: You can declare the status of each parcel individually via the Online declaration .

You may submit your declaration using:

• Online declaration (for full qualification or full exemption), or
• The online GLS tool for parcel-level declaration .

Yes! If your shipping profile changes (e.g., switching from EU-stored goods to direct imports), you can update your declaration at any time by submitting:

• A new online declaration , or
• Parcel-specific information via the online interface .

If your regular profile does not match an exceptional shipment:

• EU-based shipper but sending an occasional non-EU parcel use the online form
• IOSS importer sending occasional EU-stored parcels use the online form

GLS will apply the fee only where the shipper declares it applicable.

Under Romanian law, the fee is not refunded, even if the parcel is returned by the consumer.

Parcels not delivered to the final Romanian recipient are not subject to the fee.

Under Art. XXII, GLS is required to store tax-relevant shipment records for five years.

The obligation to pay the logistics fee is determined by the product’s origin. However, origin does not automatically refer to the place where the product was manufactured. If a product is manufactured outside the EU but is placed on the market in an EU member state, it is considered to be of EU origin (which refers not to the place of manufacture but to the sale itself) and is therefore not subject to the Romanian legislation on the logistics fee.

What does “placing on the market” mean?

• Customs clearance of the product at the EU border
• Release for free circulation (completion of customs procedures)
• Storage of the product within the EU
• Making it available for sale on the EU market