Island surcharge
An island surcharge is levied on shipments to German North Sea and Baltic Sea islands and covers the increased transport costs, including ferry costs and transfers to island freight forwarders. The surcharge applies to all standard shipping methods and excludes certain services such as express or dangerous goods. Delivery times may be longer due to longer transport times to the islands.
Island surcharge for your shipments
Shipping to North Sea and Baltic Sea islands poses a logistical challenge. For this reason, an island surcharge is applied to shipments to islands. Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the island surcharge:
The main reason for the island surcharge is the increased effort involved: islands are usually only accessible by ferry, often dependent on tides, ferry schedules, and weather conditions. In addition, shipments usually have to be handed over to island freight forwarders on site, and the low shipment density increases the transport costs per parcel.
The surcharge applies to all standard shipping methods for domestic shipments and is added to the regular base price.
An island surcharge applies to the following ZIP codes and islands, among others:
- Hiddensee (18565)
- Pellworm (25849)
- Hooge (25859)
- Langeneß (25863)
- Gröde (25869)
- Föhr (25938)
- Amrum (25946)
- Sylt (25980–25999)
- Langeoog (26465)
- Spiekeroog (26474)
- Wangerooge (26486)
- Norderney (26548)
- Juist (26571)
- Baltrum (26579)
- Borkum (26757)
- Helgoland (27498)
Delivery may be delayed as ferry connections, weather conditions, and transfers to island carriers affect transport times.
Some services are not available or not fully available for island shipping, including:
- Express-Services
- Dangerous goods & special sizes
- Flexible delivery options, such as delivery to GLS Points
- The pickup service (Pick&ShipService) is also only available to a limited extent or at additional cost.
The island surcharge ensures reliable island shipping that remains predictable despite logistical challenges. Please contact your GLS representative if you have any further questions about island shipping.
