WHAT IS EXPEDITED
DELIVERY?
OUR FASTEST DELIVERY SERVICES:GET YOUR PARCEL SENT QUICKER
Expedited Delivery is a premium, shipping service designed to move parcels through the network at maximum speed. At DHL eCommerce UK, expedited delivery means UK Next Day Delivery* as standard. We offer a high-priority alternative to economy postal services for senders who need a secure and reliable solution they can trust.
*Monday to Friday only; Saturday Delivery is available as an express option.
HOW LONG DOES EXPEDITED DELIVERY TAKE?
Depending on the destination†, expedited delivery means your package will be with its recipient the very next day. For most postal services, standard deliveries take three days.
Our service offers plenty of flexibility too. Our drivers can collect your parcel direct from your door or alternatively, you can drop your parcel off at a local depot or ServicePoint.
It gives you the freedom to send your parcel in a way that works for you.
†Deliveries to the Scottish Highlands, Isle of Wight, Isle of Man, parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Ireland can take from 1 to 3 days. Next day delivery is not available on our International services.
WHAT IS EXPRESS DELIVERY?
You might hear expedited and express used interchangeably. However, there is a slight difference. While expedited delivery ensures your parcel arrives the next day, our express options are for priority deliveries that simply can’t wait.
Express delivery provides a guaranteed time-definite window, ensuring your most urgent items reach their destination when next day delivery isn’t enough.
Our UK express options include:
- Next Day Delivery by 12:00 Noon: perfect for last-minute gifts, customer orders and emergency replacements.
- Saturday Delivery: when the working week isn’t long enough, our express weekend service keeps your items moving - with delivery between 8am and 6pm.
WHEN DO I NEED EXPEDITED DELIVERY VS EXPRESS DELIVERY?
Choosing between expedited and express delivery depends on how critical your deadline is - how soon does your package need to reach its destination? While both our services operate on a next day timeline, the difference is in the specific time of arrival.
| Choose Expedited Delivery (Next Day) If: | Choose Express Delivery (Timed/Priority) If: |
| The day matters, but the hour doesn’t: next day delivery at any time. | The hour matters: guaranteed delivery by 12:00 noon or within a timed slot. |
| Last-minute personal parcels that still need to arrive tomorrow. |
Urgent or critical items that must arrive before business deadlines. |
| A balance of speed and value for everyday sending. | Premium service for high-priority or time-sensitive deliveries. |
| Ecommerce orders where next-day delivery is the expected standard. | High-priority retail orders with a paid-for, guaranteed time window. |
| The recipient is available all day to receive the parcel. | The recipient needs delivery within a specific morning window. |
Important: Please be aware that certain sensitive items, including passports, currency and legal documents are prohibited from our network and should not be sent using the service. For a full list of what you can and cannot send via DHL eCommerce UK, please visit our UK Prohibited and Restricted Items page.
HOW MUCH IS EXPEDITED DELIVERY?
The cost for our quickest delivery services can vary based on the urgency of the parcel and also the weight and size. Our prices start from just £3.78 (including VAT)#.
#For a small parcel (up to 5kg; maximum dimensions: 35 x 35 x 35cm) dropped off at, and collected from, a mainland DHL eCommerce UK depot
Want to calculate the exact cost of expedited or express next day delivery before booking? Simply use our Quick Quote tool. Just remember to provide an exact weight so we can give you the most accurate price for your expedited or express shipment.
Sending a parcel internationally? While it costs more than UK delivery and next day delivery isn’t available, we offer some of the cheapest international postage rates.
For more information about our expedited international delivery option, head to our Worldwide Air service page.
With DHL eCommerce UK, sending your parcels via expedited delivery is cheap, reliable and fast.