DHL insurance: what you are really compensated
Basic compensation, paid option and PackCover cover, compared on your parcel.
Compare on your shipment
Enter a value and a weight to compare the three scenarios.
Indicative and provisional estimate. This is neither a quote nor a contractual offer.
Price by declared value
Below €1,200, DHL's €12 minimum applies and PackCover costs less. At €1,200, both options cost €12. Above that value, both charge 1%: the price is identical, so the choice comes down to service, not price.
| Declared value | DHL Insurance | PackCover |
|---|---|---|
| €100 | €12.00 | €1.35 |
| €300 | €12.00 | €4.50 |
| €500 | €12.00 | €4.50 |
| €1,000 | €12.00 | €9.00 |
| €1,200 | €12.00 | €10.80 |
| €2,500 | €25.00 | €22.50 |
| €10,000 | €100.00 | €90.00 |
Line by line
| Criterion | DHL | PackCover |
|---|---|---|
| Compensation basis without option | 26 SDR/kg by air or 8.33 SDR/kg only by road, capped at the declared value12 | Declared value, cover limit [to be confirmed] |
| Price of the option | 1% of the declared value | Tiered scale based on the declared value |
| Minimum premium | €123 | No minimum premium: €1.35 flat fee up to €100 |
| Claim window | 30 days from the date DHL accepts the shipment | Within 5 working days [to be confirmed] |
| Deductible | See the DHL Shipment Insurance conditions | Based on declared value [to be confirmed] |
- The SDR, or Special Drawing Right, is an accounting unit of the International Monetary Fund. Air transport: 26 SDR per kilogram, approximately €30.69 per kilogram. International road transport: 8.33 SDR per kilogram, approximately €9.83 per kilogram. Indicative SDR conversion, rate dated 1 September 2026.
- The DHL terms and conditions still state 22 SDR per kilogram in article 6.1. The Montreal Convention sets the limit at 26 SDR per kilogram from 28 December 2024, and its article 26 makes any clause setting a lower limit null and void. The Convention limit therefore applies.
Your parcel ships with DHL, the protection comes from us
You keep shipping with DHL as usual. You arrange the cover here in a few minutes, without changing anything about your shipment.
- 1
Get an estimate, without creating an account
Enter the value of your parcel and the price appears immediately. We ask for nothing else at this stage.
- 2
Enter your DHL shipment
Your DHL tracking number, contents and destination. We check eligibility before you pay, not afterwards.
- 3
Pay and you are covered
Secure payment, certificate and invoice available right away.
Frequently asked questions about DHL
Does DHL compensate the value of my parcel?
Not without the option. DHL limits its liability by weight: 26 SDR per kilogram by air, or 8.33 SDR per kilogram for international transport carried entirely by road, without exceeding the declared value.
How much does DHL Shipment Insurance cost?
It costs €12 or 1% of the declared value, whichever is higher. It provides reimbursement up to the declared value in the event of loss or physical damage, subject to its conditions.
Which rate applies to a road shipment?
The rate of 8.33 SDR per kilogram applies to international transport carried entirely by road. An air shipment uses the rate of 26 SDR per kilogram.
How quickly must I submit a claim to DHL?
A written claim must reach DHL within 30 days of the date DHL accepted the shipment. The period starts when DHL takes possession, not when the problem is discovered. PackCover's claim window is 5 working days [to be confirmed].
Are set jewellery and watches prohibited by DHL?
They are not included in the unacceptable shipments listed in section 2 cited here. Other conditions may still apply to a specific shipment, so always check directly with DHL.
Are these amounts contractual?
No. This comparison summarises the cited official documents and uses an indicative SDR conversion. Rates and conditions can change, so check them with DHL before shipping.
Give every shipment the attention it deserves.
Start with a simple, no-obligation estimate.
Sources
- DHL Express, Terms and Conditions of Carriage, sections 2, 6.1 and 7
- DHL Express France, Options and Surcharges, effective 1 January 2026
- International Civil Aviation Organization, revision of the liability limits of the Montreal Convention of 1999, cargo limit raised to 26 SDR per kilogram, effective since 28 December 2024
Data last checked on 21 September 2026.
Carrier rates and conditions change. Check the information applying to your shipment directly with DHL.