DHL Express, a courier company, used illegal practices, the President of UOKiK found. The company undertook to abandon the illegal activities. They have got a month to do it

The proceedings initiated against DHL Express in September 2006 showed that the company had violated collective consumer interests by introducing into its Rules of providing transportation and postal services certain illegal provisions. Consequently, the company did not comply with the obligation to provide consumers with reliable information.

According to the findings of the President of the Office, the irregularities related to the procedure of claiming compensation. The company limited or excluded its liability, among others for the loss or damage of the shipment or the delay in delivery. Moreover, the company made a reservation that “if, as a result of the delay in delivery, a loss other than in shipment occurred, DHL Express […] undertakes to pay compensation amounting to 50 percent of the freight charges" (basic transportation fee). Pursuant to the provisions of the law, in such a case the injured party is entitled to receive a compensation amounting to double freight charges.

The President of the Office also contested the fact that DHL Express reserved itself the right to check the contents of the shipment at any time, from the moment of its receipt to the moment of its delivery. According to the law, the carrier may do this only in the presence of a witness, being the consignor or any other person. The carrier should also prepare an appropriate report.

UOKiK also questioned the provision providing the carrier with the right to demand that a claimant provides DHL with “other documents necessary to close the complaint proceedings”. Requesting “other”, not clearly specified, documents may serve to prolong the complaint procedure and thus violate consumer interests.

The company undertook to change the contested provisions by May 31st, 2007.

Additional information:
Małgorzata Cieloch, Spokesperson for UOKiK
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warszawa
Tel. 22 827 28 92, 55 60 106, 55 60 314
faks 22 826 11 86

E-mail: [SCODE]bWNpZWxvY2hAdW9raWsuZ292LnBs[ECODE]

UOKiK Branch Office in Wrocław
ul. Walońska 3-5, 50-413 Wrocław
Tel.: (71) 344 65 87
faks 71 340 59 22
E-mail: [SCODE]d3JvY2xhd0B1b2tpay5nb3YucGw=[ECODE]