BERLIN (Reuters) -German logistics company DHL on Wednesday posted higher sales and earnings in the first quarter, a period dominated by tensions over U.S. import tariffs that could both help and hinder the group's bottom line.

Group revenues increased by 2.8% year on year to 20.8 billion euros ($23.66 billion) and earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were up 4.5% at 1.4 billion euros. This was largely in line with analysts' expectations, according to a company-provided poll.

DHL maintained its guidance for the full year, forecasting an operating result of at least 6 billion euros.

However, this outlook does not cover potential changes in tariff or trade policies, it said in a statement, adding that "such changes could have substantial negative but also positive effects for DHL Group".

($1 = 0.8790 euros)