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Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the maximum weight and size?

For mainland domestic service, the maximum weight of the volumes we carry is 30 kg and the total of the 3 dimensions should not exceed 1.60m and the largest measure cannot exceed 1.20m.

For international road service, the maximum weight of the volumes we carry is 31.5 kg and the total of the 3 dimensions must not exceed 3.00 m, calculated by the formula Length cm + 2 x (Width cm + Height cm). The maximum length is 1.75m. If the parcel exceeds the dimensions and is accepted by the DPD network, an additional fee of 26,00 € will be due. Volumetric weight is also applied to this service whenever it is higher than real weight, being calculated by the formula Width cm x Height cm x Length cm / 5000.

Volumetric Weight applies to the International Air and Islands service and whenever this is bigger than the actual weight of the order (according to the formula: Width cm x Height cm x Length cm / 4000 in the Islands, and Width cm x Height cm x Length cm / 5000 in international). Volumetric weight is applied to shipments to the Spanish Islands whenever it is bigger than the actual weight of the goods, using the formula Width cm x Height cm x Length cm / volumetric ratio. Volume ratios: Balearic Islands, Ceuta: 5000; Canary and Melilla: 3000.

What type of services does DPD  Portugal provide?

DPD Portugal provides express transport services for packages weighing up to 31.5 kg throughout Portugal and to more than 230 countries, both in the business sector (B2B) and to private clients (B2C).

How do I dispatch a package?

Once your package is wrapped and packed, the easiest way to dispatch it is using our DPD Ship tool. Once you have logged into DPD Ship, fill in and print the waybill, which you should put together with the package and all the other documentation (invoice or receipt). Then arrange for collection using the website. If you do not wish to become a registered user in our system, you can always arrange the collection by calling the number for client service: 707 20 28 28.

Do I need to be a registered user to make a dispatch?

Yes. You have to be registered to make dispatches through the website. However registering is quick and easy and takes only a few minutes!

What documents must I send with my dispatch? And if it is international?

If your dispatch is not a document (or if the document weighs more than 20 kg) you will need to send certain documents which vary depending on the destination. For dispatches with origin and destination within Portugal, you need to send a receipt or invoice. If the dispatch is international, you must add the following documentation:

Dispatches (other than documents) to the European Union:

  • Receipt or invoice (preferably in English).

For the Canary Islands follow the instructions for the European Union. Please read the information below. 

Dispatches (other than documents) outside the European Union:

  • Attach a commercial or proforma invoice ( for goods up to the value of 75€ - for higher values it must be a commercial invoice );
  • Add the following information (obligatory);
  • Origin of the merchandise;
  • Details of the Sender and Receiver with contact name and telephone;
  • Original invoice and waybill;
  • Invoice number and tax number;
  • Number of pages;
  • Complete description of the merchandise and number of items;
  • Net and gross weight;
  • Unit cost and total by type of merchandise;
  • Total amount of invoice;
  • Indication of currency used;
  • IMCO Terms (Delivery terms);
  • Payment terms of the merchandise;
  • Processed by computer/ Name of printer (where the invoice was printed);
  • VAT Exemption Declaration;
  • Use English language;
  • Tariff article.

In addition to this information, every country may have its own specific invoice requirements. We therefore advise you to ask about these in good time to avoid customs delays to your dispatch.

Apart from articles which are not authorized for dispatch by DPD (Hazardous materials, live plants and animals, arms and military equipment, high value materials, skins of wild animals, alcohol and tobacco), there are further articles which are prohibited in other countries. Senders of international dispatches are responsible for complying with governmental regulations and laws, and we therefore advise you to consult the list of forbidden import articles for every country.

How can I find out where my dispatch is?

DPD's Track & Trace system allows you to follow your dispatches at all times. Once you have logged in go to Track & Trace, and a simple click allows you to find out all the information you need about your dispatch: status of one or more dispatches, date and time of delivery, receiver's name, dispatch history, whether there was any kind of incident, digital proof of delivery etc, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

This follow-up is made possible by the dispatch handling system developed by DPD, which allows distribution information to be recorded quickly and reliably. By means of a portable scanner which communicates with the system via GPRS, the time of departure, the different stages of the transport and the exact time of delivery are all recorded precisely, together with any incidents which may have occurred.

Does DPD international have an after-sales service?

For After-Sales Service to our clients, DPD has a dedicated and proactive Client Service department. We are completely at our clients' and receivers' disposal on our single number 707 20 28 28, open from 08:00 to 20:00 hrs on weekdays and 09:00 to 13:00 hrs on Saturdays.

What items can I not send by DPD?

DPD offers express delivery of packages of up to 31.5 kg. However there are certain products which we do not transport. The articles listed below are not authorized for dispatch by DPD:

  • Hazardous goods (acid, toxic, gaseous, magnetic and inflammable materials);
  • Live plants and animals;
  • Food products;
  • Arms and military equipment;
  • High value or precious materials (precious stones, jewellery or works of art);
  • Skins of wild animals;
  • Alcohol and tobacco;
  • All goods prohibited by law or which may violate any export or import laws.
  • There are additional articles which are prohibited in other countries. We therefore advise you to consult the list of forbidden import articles for every country, since it is the responsibility of the sender (not the transport company) to comply with government regulations and laws.

DPD accepts no liability for the transport of any of the goods listed above, nor for any possible damage caused to such merchandise.

Special conservation articles

DPD accepts no liability for damage caused in the transport of articles which require special conservation (e.g. refrigeration) or which contain perishable components (e.g. articles with active principles with a limited lifespan).

How do I fill in a DPD waybill?

DPD waybills contain a number of fields, all duly identified, which the client must fill in as follows:

(IMG HERE)

Legend:

  1. Name and address of the sender;
  2. Name and address of the receiver with 7-digit Postcode;
  3. DPD identifier and number of the Transport Waybill in the form of a barcode which can be read by scanner;
  4. Identification of the nature of the merchandise transported, with total weight and number of packages;
  5. Space reserved for the sender to record additional delivery instructions;
  6. Space reserved for self-adhesive labels referring to additional packages (Max. 4 packages);
  7. Identification of the amount to be collected against delivery of the package;
  8. Space to be filled in with the transport cost to be paid by the receiver (field 9) or the sender (field 10) as appropriate;
  9. Space for the date and the sender's signature;
  10. Space for the date and signature of the DPD Driver-Distributor.

If I want to send various packages to the same receiver, do I have to fill in more than one waybill?

A waybill filled in using DPD Ship allows you to add up to 999 packages to a dispatch. If the waybill is filled in by hand, the maximum limit is 5 packages per waybill.