Buying Packages

Why buying DHL parcels is cheap and beneficial

Online retail is booming and Germany alone recorded a 19% increase in sales in 2021 to almost EUR 100 billion per year. This is associated with an increasing proportion of deliveries. Buying a parcel from DHL is worthwhile because the shipping service provider offers its customers the right shipping method for every product. In addition, parcel shipping is comparatively inexpensive. Postage-optimized shipping is guaranteed, particularly thanks to the defined sizes. The wide range of packaging options is also an argument for buying parcels.

Small and large postal parcels for shipping at a glance

If you want to send a small parcel and buy a postal parcel, you first need to take a closer look at the item. It is not only the size alone that is relevant for determining the correct shipping method, the weight and shape also play a role.

Small parcel S is suitable for small and light items. A box that is to be sent as small parcel S must measure at least 15x11x1 cm and must not be larger than 35x25x10 cm. In addition, the goods must not exceed a weight of 2 kg. A parcel S is sent without liability by DHL shipping and does not include shipment tracking. Perfectly matched products are available at verpacking.com, where buying parcels is easy and inexpensive.

Cardboard boxes measuring up to 60x30x15 cm and weighing up to 2 kg can also be sent as small parcels. If it is a roll-shaped package, a surcharge must be paid. Here too, shipping is without liability and tracking.

If you do not want to do without liability and shipment tracking, you should opt for the parcel shipping method instead. The smallest size, Parcel S, should be chosen if the box is no larger than 60x30x15 cm and does not weigh more than 2 kg. So if you want to use DHL to buy a small parcel and send the packaging, this is the right choice.

If the goods are larger, Parcel M is suitable for shipping. With maximum dimensions of 120x60x60 cm, even large items can be sent here. With Parcel M, however, the weight of the shipment must not exceed 5 kg.

The last two parcel categories also contain cardboard boxes with a maximum size of 120x60x60 cm, but the goods may be heavier here. A parcel-L may weigh up to 10 kg, a parcel-XL even up to 31.5 kg.

Properties of the suitable cardboard boxes

If you opt for DHL shipping, you need suitable boxes and cardboard packaging. There are various models to choose from.

For a DHL parcel size S, two different models of shipping packaging are possible: the folding carton or the folding box. Which model is more suitable is a question of size. A folding carton, which must first be put together by the sender before it can be filled, is available in a wide variety of sizes within the maximum size of 60x30x15 cm. This box is usually sealed at the end with adhesive tape, but models with integrated adhesive strips are also available. The hinged box, on the other hand, has an integrated plug-in closure that makes gluing unnecessary. However, it is usually available in smaller formats and is therefore ideal if you want to purchase small packaging.
Both variants are made from Kraftliner corrugated cardboard. This is available in two versions: single-wall and double-wall. They do not differ in terms of load capacity, but do differ in terms of puncture resistance. Double-wall cardboard boxes are therefore particularly suitable for sharp goods that could damage the box, but are also somewhat more expensive.

For Parcel-M, Parcel-L and Parcel-XL, there are also a few folding boxes, but it is more common to ship with a folding carton, which results from the significantly larger permitted dimensions of 120x60x60 cm. In addition, special bottle cartons are offered here, which are particularly high and contain an insert for optimum protection of the bottle. Thermal cartons, which guarantee the cooling of the goods due to their construction, can also be used.
Single-wall or double-wall corrugated cardboard is also used for all the models mentioned. However, the load capacity of the various packages may well vary. Therefore, you should always keep in mind how heavy the product to be shipped is and whether the right DHL box has been selected so that you can ship in an optimized way when buying large parcels.

What are the advantages of sending a parcel by post?

Sending your goods with the parcel service provider DHL offers several advantages.

Automatic shipment tracking

All parcel deliveries - not small parcel deliveries - automatically include shipment tracking. All parcels are given a unique tracking number, which can be entered in the DHL online portal. Both the customer and the sender can track the parcel from the very beginning: From the announcement of the shipment to the route from parcel center to parcel center to the delivery vehicle that finally takes over the delivery. A service that makes planning easier and increases the anticipation of receiving the goods after ordering a DHL parcel!

Liability up to 500 €

Are you wondering whether DHL is the right choice for you after buying parcels? An important service that could convince you is the liability for the shipment up to a value of €500 for all parcels. If the box is lost during delivery, the shipping service provider will refund the value of the goods to the sender. This must be proven with an invoice or similar.

If the value of the goods exceeds €500, you can book additional DHL transport insurance. The transport company charges €6.99 to insure items with a value of up to €2,500; if the goods are worth up to €25,000, they can be insured for €18. Anyone wishing to take out transport insurance when buying parcels by post should document the value of the box contents in a suitable manner before shipping. The shipping company will provide an invoice or receipt together with a photo of the goods.

Special dimensions

You can also buy a postal parcel for special dimensions and send it for an additional charge. For roll-shaped parcels, the surcharge for rolls is €1.79. There is also the bulky goods category. This must always be added if one of the following conditions applies: The shipment exceeds the maximum dimensions of 120x60x60 cm or it is not rectangular and not a roll. It contains protruding parts. The packaging is not made of cardboard or paper. The item of baggage is unpacked, for example a suitcase.

Parcels whose length exceeds 200 cm or whose girth is greater than 360 cm are also excluded from this transportation. Shipments weighing more than 31.5 kg cannot be sent with DHL either.

Cash on delivery

Another DHL service is the delivery of parcels cash on delivery. These are shipments that have not yet been paid for by the customer. The invoice is then paid at the parcel delivery company or at the DHL branch in cash or by EC card. The invoice amount is then transferred to the customer. If the recipient refuses to pay, the shipment is considered undeliverable and returned to the sender. The shipping service provider charges 6.90 euros for this service.

Age verification

If the goods to be shipped are items that are subject to age restrictions, DHL offers the option of adding age verification. The parcel delivery company checks the age of the recipient upon delivery. In borderline cases, this is done by checking the official photo ID, but if the minimum age is clearly exceeded, this may not be necessary. The age of the recipient is not recorded. The recipient is entitled to accept parcels if he/she is of the minimum age, an authorized person or relatives of the recipient as well as persons staying at his/her home. However, delivery to neighbors or a drop-off point is not possible. Delivery to a Packstation is also not possible with this option. A fee of 1.19 euros is charged for this service.

Fast delivery times

Another advantage of the shipping service provider is the extremely fast delivery times. So if you want to buy and send a Parcel Post parcel, this shipping service provider is likely to be the fastest. Shipments are often delivered the very next day, at the latest after two days, if the shipment is within Germany. Deliveries are also made on Saturdays, making it particularly worthwhile to buy postal parcels.

Determining the delivery day

For maximum planning flexibility, DHL deliveries can be made on specified days. This allows the sender and recipient to jointly ensure that the parcel is guaranteed to be accepted. To take advantage of this service, parcels must be ordered two to six working days before the desired delivery. A fee of 0.99 euros is also payable. If the desired delivery does not take place due to a DHL service error, the recipient will be refunded this service surcharge.

Postage costs for shipping with DHL

Depending on the category, different amounts are charged for shipping the packaging. The current values can be found on the DHL homepage. In an international comparison, however, the DHL parcel is below the average price for parcel shipping. In addition, you can also buy the required parcels cheaply here in the store and thus have a price-saving shipping option.

Price development at DHL

On July 1, 2022, after six years of price stability, there was an increase in postage costs. However, this was manageable, meaning that buying a DHL parcel is still affordable. The price for a Parcel S rose by 50 cents to 5.49 euros, while Parcel M was reduced by the same amount to 6.99 euros. The prices for the L and XL packages have not changed. The previous price advantage that customers enjoyed when franking their parcels online no longer applies.

Parcel shipping process via Deutsche Post

If you want to send a parcel with DHL, there are several options for the shipping process. Of course, parcels can always be handed in at a parcel store or post office, where an employee will receive them in person. However, online franking is an attractive alternative that should be kept in mind.

Online franking

Online franking offers the greatest possible flexibility when sending parcels. The sender creates their own shipping label on the DHL website when ordering parcels online. The destination country is selected from a drop-down menu, followed by the desired parcel size. Other services such as transport insurance or age verification can also be selected here.

The next step is to enter the address. Both the sender and recipient addresses must be entered. If the delivery is to be made on a specific day, this can also be noted here. In the last step, any coupons can be redeemed. The desired payment method must also be selected. After confirming the general terms and conditions, payment is made and the sender is then sent the QR code with the shipping information by email. Buying and sending a DHL parcel online is simple and time-saving.

Shipping in the store

With the generated QR code and the parcel, the sender can now visit a DHL branch. The code is scanned there and the shipping label is printed out. Before July 1, 2022, online franking had the advantage over buying the shipping label in-store that prices were slightly cheaper online. Since the price adjustment, this option only saves a little time and you no longer have to label the box by hand. This is particularly relevant for customers who often order a parcel. But there are other shipping methods.

Shipping with collection

If the sender uses online franking, they can also hand over the parcel to a DHL delivery driver. The drivers have special printers with which they can hand over the shipping label after scanning the QR code. There is no need to go to a branch. If you don't want to wait outside the window for the delivery person to arrive, you can also note the desired collection in the online franking. The DHL driver will then ring the sender's doorbell and collect the goods to be sent. However, there is a charge of 3 euros for this service.

Shipping with Packstation

Packstations offer another option for flexible parcel delivery. Most of these are also equipped with integrated printers. Once you have selected shipping via touchscreen, the QR code must be scanned. The packing station issues the self-adhesive shipping label, which must be attached to the packaging. The barcode on the shipping label is then scanned. Now the sender just has to tell the Packstation what size the parcel is, then a suitable compartment opens and the box can be inserted. The next time it is emptied, the DHL deliverer takes it away and transports it onwards. At Packstations without an integrated printer, the QR code only needs to be scanned and the delivery driver then labels the box when it is removed.

There are now over 13,000 Packstations throughout Germany. These are usually located in places where many people pass by, such as train stations or supermarkets. In this way, the Packstation can be a convenient alternative to sending a parcel.

By collecting parcels from the recipient, the shipping service provider ensures that no further journeys are required. Delivery takes a maximum of one day longer than by conventional means and there are no additional costs. However, this service is currently only available on selected routes.

Verpacking.com: where ordering parcels works cost-effectively thanks to a large online range

If you send your parcels with DHL, you can choose from a wide range of services that leave nothing to be desired when it comes to shipping. Generous dimensions and weight categories make it possible to send goods in almost all shapes and sizes. Matching boxes and cardboard packaging can be found in all variations. DHL is therefore the best choice if you want to buy parcels to send. You can get the necessary packaging here in the online store and also an answer to your question “Where can you buy parcels post optimized?”. The extensive range offers a suitable solution for every shipping need. Thanks to permanently low and competitive prices, there is no need to think about whether it would make more sense to buy parcels elsewhere. If there are any questions, the service staff will also be happy to provide advice and assistance.