Find the right box for your DHL shipping option.
First, choose your shipping region, then select the right shipping option.
Note: DHL changed its package names in January 2025.
Shipping region:
Shipping option:
Letter Formats & Merchandise Shipments
Small boxes
Boxes
Note:
The dimensions & classes shown apply to shipping from Germany.
New package names since January 2025: “Paket S/M/L/XL/XXL” are now called “Paket 2 kg / 5 kg / 10 kg / 20 kg / 31.5 kg.”
For DHL parcels 5 kg, 10 kg and 20 kg a maximum girth of 300 cm applies (the full 120 × 60 × 60 cm cannot be used). Please note, exceeding this may result in higher shipping costs.
Note:
The dimensions & classes shown apply to shipping from Germany.
New package names since January 2025: “Paket S/M/L/XL/XXL” are now called “Paket 2 kg / 5 kg / 10 kg / 20 kg / 30 kg.”
For DHL parcels 5 kg, 10 kg and 20 kg a maximum girth of 300 cm applies (the full 120 × 60 × 60 cm cannot be used). Please note, exceeding this may result in higher shipping costs.
Großbrief
The right choice for small shipments up to 0.5 kg.
max. 35.3 × 25 × 2 cm · Weight: up to 0.5 kg · Tracking: No · Liability: None · Region: Germany
Maxibrief
For slightly larger shipments up to 1 kg.
max. 35.3 × 25 × 5 cm · Weight: up to 1 kg · Tracking: No · Liability: None · Region: Germany
Warensendung
Ideal for low‑cost shipments up to 2 kg.
max. 35.3 × 25 × 5 cm · Weight: up to 2 kg · Tracking: No · Liability: None · Region: Germany
Kleinpaket
For small shipments with tracking up to 1 kg.
max. 35 × 25 × 8 cm · Weight: up to 1 kg · Tracking: Yes · Liability: None · Region: Germany
Päckchen XS
For small international shipments up to 2 kg.
max. 35 × 25 × 3 cm · Weight: up to 2 kg · Tracking: No · Liability: None · Region: International
Päckchen S
Compact boxes for shipments up to 2 kg.
max. 35 × 25 × 10 cm · Weight: up to 2 kg · Tracking: No · Liability: None · Region: Germany
Päckchen M
Practical for small to medium shipments up to 2 kg.
max. 60 × 30 × 15 cm · Weight: up to 2 kg · Tracking: No · Liability: None · Region: Germany
Paket 2 kg
Sturdy boxes for lightweight parcels.
max. 60 × 30 × 15 cm · Girth: 300 cm · Weight: up to 2 kg · Tracking: Yes · Liability: up to €500 · Region: DE & International
Paket 5 kg
Popular standard size for many uses.
max. 120 × 60 × 60 cm · Girth: 300 cm · Weight: up to 5 kg · Tracking: Yes · Liability: up to €500 · Region: DE & International
Paket 10 kg
For larger, slightly heavier shipments.
max. 120 × 60 × 60 cm · Girth: 300 cm · Weight: up to 10 kg · Tracking: Yes · Liability: up to €500 · Region: DE & International
Paket 20 kg
For particularly heavy goods.
max. 120 × 60 × 60 cm · Girth: 300 cm · Weight: up to 20 kg · Tracking: Yes · Liability: up to €500 · Region: DE & International
Paket 31.5 kg
Maximum size for standard shipping.
max. 120 × 60 × 60 cm · Girth: 360 cm · Weight: up to 31.5 kg · Tracking: Yes · Liability: up to €500 · Region: DE & International
Paket 30 kg
Maximum size for standard shipping.
max. 120 × 60 × 60 cm · Girth: 360 cm
Shipping Methods and Services at a Glance
To help you find the right DHL shipping method, pay attention to the maximum size and weight limits. In addition, the rates differ in terms of tracking and liability. The following overview gives you all the key information at a glance.
| Product | Max. Size | Max. Weight | Tracking | Liability up to | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Großbrief | up to 353 × 250 × 20 mm | 0.5 kg | No | No liability | Germany |
| Maxibrief | up to 353 × 250 × 50 mm | 1 kg | No | No liability | Germany |
| Warensendung | up to 353 × 250 × 50 mm | 2 kg | No | No liability | Germany |
| Kleinpaket (business customers only) |
up to 350 × 250 × 80 mm | 1 kg | Yes | No liability | Germany |
| Päckchen XS | up to 350 × 250 × 30 mm | 2 kg | No | No liability | International |
| Päckchen S | up to 350 × 250 × 100 mm | 2 kg | No | No liability | Germany |
| Päckchen M | up to 600 × 300 × 150 mm | 2 kg | No | No liability | Germany |
| Paket 2 kg (formerly Paket S) |
up to 600 × 300 × 150 mm Girth: 300 cm |
2 kg | Yes | 500 EUR | DE & International |
| Paket 5 kg (formerly Paket M) |
up to 1200 × 600 × 600 mm Girth: 300 cm |
5 kg | Yes | 500 EUR | DE & International |
| Paket 10 kg (formerly Paket L) |
up to 1200 × 600 × 600 mm Girth: 300 cm |
10 kg | Yes | 500 EUR | DE & International |
| Paket 20 kg (formerly Paket XL) |
up to 1200 × 600 × 600 mm Girth: 300 cm |
20 kg | Yes | 500 EUR | DE & International |
| Paket 31.5 kg (formerly Paket XXL) |
up to 1200 × 600 × 600 mm Girth: 360 cm |
31.5 kg | Yes | 500 EUR | DE & International |
Note: For international shipping, country-specific regulations and services apply (e.g. additional insurance, return service requirements).
FAQ – The most important questions answered
Basics of DHL Shipping
You’ll find a full overview of all DHL shipping classes and conditions here.
A small parcel is cheaper, but not insured and not trackable. A package includes tracking and insurance up to €500 – making it the better choice for valuable or important items.
What matters most are weight and size. For small, lightweight shipments, a letter or small parcel is sufficient. For larger or more valuable goods, choose a package. Our DHL cartons are tailored to these formats.
Only packages are insured – up to €500 (for Package S to XL). A letter or small parcel is not insured. The only exception is the “small package”, which includes limited liability of up to €20.
Sizes, Weight & Pricing
The maximum dimensions are 1200 × 600 × 600 mm, with a maximum weight of 31.5 kg. Different limits apply depending on the shipping class – see the comparison table on this page.
No, all packages – regardless of weight – are insured up to €500. Exceptions: small parcels (limited to €20 liability) and letters or small shipments (no liability).
Size and weight determine the rate. An XL package with 20 kg costs more than an M parcel with 2 kg. Choosing the right carton size helps reduce shipping costs.
The cheapest shipping method starts with a large letter and ends with an XXL parcel weighing 31.5 kg for shipping within Germany.
Please refer to the current prices in the DHL price lists for:
shipping within Germany and international
Services & Shipping Options
You can either drop off your shipment at a DHL store or parcel station, or arrange a pickup for an additional charge.
Tracking is only included with packages. Letters and small parcels do not offer tracking. Exception: the small package includes tracking.
Our cartons are precisely tailored to DHL formats. For each shipping class (S to XXL), we offer matching sizes to help you save space and cost.
The actual weight must not exceed the limit of the selected shipping class. Especially for Parcel XXL, the maximum is 31.5 kg – anything above is considered bulky goods.