DHL, the international parcel shipping company, is facing a class action lawsuit alleging that it overbilled thousands of US customers around the country, possibly by tens of millions of dollars.
In January 2009 DHL, a German owned company, ceased its US domestic delivery service, however while it was operating it allegedly charged its customers a minimum jet fuel surcharge of 29 percent for express deliveries, even if the goods were delivered by ground transportation. DHL customers also faced a 9.3 percent diesel fuel surcharge for ground deliveries made by truck.
The lead plaintiff in the suit alleges that he discovered that DHL had ben charging him a jet fuel surcharge for deliveries made by truck, for Next Day and Second Day Service. Two specific examples are cited in the suit:
"A Next Day package sent from Buffalo to Cleveland does not travel by air; instead it travels by truck from Buffalo to DHL's Erie, Pa., truck hub, and from there, by truck to Cleveland. So too for packages sent from Buffalo to Pittsburgh. DHL charges its jet fuel surcharge in these situations."
- "Similarly . . . a Next Day package from Washington, D. C., to Lorton, Va., will not travel by air; instead it will travel by truck from Washington to DHL's Allentown, Pa., truck hub, and from there, by truck to Virginia. DHL charges its jet fuel surcharge in these situations."
