Index-based fuel surcharge
Revision of the consumer price index during the last 12 months
Below is a table showing how high the fuel surcharge has been for the respective months (denoted in percent) and when the index of the previous month had been published.
| Parcel dispatch within | Index of previous month published | Fuel Surcharge |
|---|---|---|
| January 2012 | 12.01.2012 | 9.28% |
| December 2011 | 09.12.2011 | 9.92% |
| November 2011 | 11.11.2011 | 9.52% |
| October 2011 | 13.10.2011 | 9.32% |
| September 2011 | 09.09.2011 | 8.59% |
| August 2011 | 10.08.2011 | 9.13% |
| July 2011 | 12.07.2011 | 9.15% |
| June 2011 | 14.06.2011 | 8.88% |
| May 2011 | 11.05.2011 | 9.79% |
| April 2011 | 12.04.2011 | 9.40% |
| March 2011 | 11.03.2011 | 8.16% |
| February 2011 | 11.02.2011 | 7.50% |
Why does GLS charge a fuel surcharge?
For many years, the fuel prices have been increasing dramatically. The future development is hard to predict. With the price level currently reached, the end of the price spiral does not seem to be attained yet. It is inevitable to consider the current crude oil price in our tariff calculation, as this cost increase may only be partly absorbed by rationalising our processes.
For that reason GLS Germany has decided in November 2004 to charge a separately shown fuel surcharge which is geared variably to the fuel price changes and raised to the net transport tariffs (including surcharges).
How the fuel surcharge is determined
The index-based fuel surcharge of GLS Germany is being calculated on the basis of the consumer price index for Germany, "Fachserie 17/Reihe 7" of the “Statistisches Bundesamt” (Wiesbaden), the statistical authority of Germany. On a rotational basis (as a rule every five years), the consumer price index is revised. In the course of this revision the base year has been changed from 2000 to 2005. Please see the explanation of the monthly report January 2008 of the “Statistisches Bundesamt” for information on the exact procedure of this revision.
The change of the base year has no impact on the calculation of future index-based fuel surcharges of GLS Germany. It is ensured that the change of the base year will be respected when calculating the fuel surcharge.
The calculation of the fuel surcharge is based on an index value of 86.34 points. Depending on the index development the fuel surcharge develops accordingly. Thus the fuel surcharge decreases to 0% if the basic value of 86.34 points is reached again.
Through the index-based fuel surcharge only the additional costs caused by the fuel price increase are being charged to the customer. A fuel price increase by 10 Cent per liter causes additional costs of approx. 1.83% at GLS Germany and is reflected in an index change of approx. 9.45 points at the “Statistisches Bundesamt”. Hence, in case of a fuel price increase by one point a fuel surcharge of 0.1936% will be charged.
The statistical authority of Germany publishes the consumer price index monthly. Beginning with the day of publication the new fuel surcharge is calculated and is then immediately valid. You can get update information about the current fuel surcharge here.
Follow the link for a sample invoice including the fuel surcharge (pdf in German language).
This link has more information on the development of the fuel price index and the fuel surcharge (pdf in German language).
This link will take you directly to the download area of the „Statistisches Bundesamt Wiesbaden“, to the "Fachserie 17 Reihe 7, Verbraucherpreisindizes für Deutschland".
For more information please contact the „Statistisches Bundesamt, Wiesbaden“.
Source: Statistisches Bundesamt, Wiesbaden.
Extract from: Fachserie 17, Reihe 7 "Verbraucherpreisindizes für Deutschland",
Source: www.destatis.de/shop
