Buy a goods consignment carton and send it cheaply with the "BÜWA".

Goods Consignment are a special option offered by Deutsche Post and DHL, which were introduced to make it cheaper to send ordinary parcels. Even a cardboard box can now be used for this special shipment if the maximum size and weight are not exceeded. There are also other points that should be considered when buying a cardboard box.

What conditions do cartons for the DHL goods shipments have to fulfil?

The so-called "BÜWA" (Bücher- und Warensendung), is a special type of shipment with Deutsche Post. Packages can be sent uninsured at a lower price. This option applies to both private and commercial use. However, the "BÜWA" is similar to the Maxibrief in many cases. The difference is that in addition to items such as books, small electrical appliances, textiles or mobile phones, only documents relating to these items may be sent. If, on the other hand, other documents such as greeting cards or personal documents are to be sent, this must be done as a Maxibrief. In addition, for merchandise shipments, boxes may not exceed a maximum size of 353 x 250 x 50 mm and a maximum weight of 1 kg. If the shipping box exceeds these dimensions or the weight, the goods must be sent as a parcel, for example, whether insured or uninsured. The shipping costs are also based on the size and weight of the goods shipment box. Since 2020, it has also been permitted to completely seal consignments of goods, for example with adhesive tape. It may still be possible to open the box in the event of an inspection by the postal service.

This packaging is suitable for goods shipments

As long as the maximum dimensions and weight are observed, you can send consignments in all available boxes and envelopes. However, there is also special packaging, such as the maxi letter box or the large letter box. In addition to cardboard boxes, the packaging can also be made of plastic. Even pressure-sealed bags are permitted. It would be advisable to adapt the type of packaging to the goods. Electronics or other sensitive items should therefore best be sent in double-walled cardboard as a cardboard consignment. This ensures sufficient stability and protection. A resealable shipping carton is also recommended if parcels have to be opened by the post office, for example during inspections. You will also find boxes in suitable standard sizes, such as A3, A4, A5 etc.. These have the advantage that they have fixed sizes and you do not have to measure the cardboard box before sending it. When looking for the right packaging, you will usually find a FEFCO code. This is a standardisation by which different types of packaging can be clearly assigned.

Corrugated board: The safe and environmentally friendly material

Corrugated board consists to a large extent of waste paper and is therefore partly made of recycled material. This has the advantage that fewer raw materials are needed, but also less water and energy are used in production. Old corrugated cardboard packaging is also recycled and turned into new corrugated cardboard. For this reason, these shipping boxes come in different sizes and can be made to measure yourself. You have the choice between single and double wall boxes.

Single corrugated carton: Single corrugated cartons are ideal for shipping very light to medium-weight goods. Depending on the size of the box, they can carry goods shipments of up to 5 or even 10 kg. Single wall corrugated board is of course also correspondingly cheaper.

Double corrugated carton: Double corrugated folding cartons are well suited for shipping larger and heavier goods, as they can sometimes even carry loads of up to 50 kg. Double wall cardboard boxes also offer good protection against mechanical stress and therefore offer a lower risk of damage. You could therefore use these double-wall models for electrical goods or glass and other delicate items.

How to pack your goods in the shipping box safely and in accordance with Deutsche Post guidelines

Deutsche Post has some guidelines regarding the packaging of different items. Since 2020, it is no longer necessary to pack goods in an "open shipment". Previously, according to the regulations, consignments of goods could only be sent in envelopes that were sealed with special staples. Complete sealing was not permitted in order to allow the postal service to easily check the contents. In the meantime, however, it is not only possible to send parcels as merchandise shipments (pay attention to the maximum dimensions), but also to seal them with adhesive tape.

It is still important, however, that a DHL consignment is labelled as such. A box can be called a consignment if it does not exceed the size 353 x 250 x 50 mm and the weight of 1 kg and if it does not contain any personal documents.  The note "BÜWA" must be placed above the delivery address. There are special stickers for this purpose, or you can simply write this note by hand on the envelope or parcel. The following steps can be summarised: Buy a box of merchandise and send it in compliance with the regulations for merchandise shipments via a DHL compliant letterbox or post office.

Postage costs for goods shipments within Europe

For shipments within Germany, you have the option of sending goods and books up to 500 g or up to one kilo. The postage amounts to € 1.95 or € 2.25 (as of October 2022). It is also possible to post items in a Post Office letterbox if they are franked correctly. This means that you do not necessarily have to go to a post office, unless it is a larger box that does not fit in the letterbox. Goods can also be sent abroad. The shipping price is the same both within Europe and outside Europe.

Sending smaller goods at a favourable price

Goods can be sent in different ways by post or with DHL. And a shipping box can also be used for different purposes. However, the shipping box offers advantages, especially in terms of price. It is cheaper than sending a parcel and a package, but still allows you to store and send different goods in it. Even though there are some restrictions with merchandise shipments, this shipping method is worthwhile for all those who do not want to send more than one item and do not want to pay the price for a parcel.

Another advantage is that different types of packaging can be used for goods and book shipments, as long as they do not exceed the prescribed dimensions. This way you can choose particularly robust cardboard boxes to send the goods. Regardless of the weight of the goods, it is advisable to choose packaging with a higher load capacity for delicate goods. Furthermore, it is not necessarily necessary to hand in the shipment at a post office, as long as it also fits into the post office letterbox. This is not possible with a shipping box or small parcel. Prices are also based on weight. This means that there are calculable costs that can be planned in advance and it is therefore quite simple and possible even for non-experts to determine how much a shipment in a box will cost.

The following questions and answers deal with the most important aspects of shipping goods as well as other regulations regarding the sending of goods and books by post.

Where can I buy boxes for goods shipments?

As long as you keep to the dimensions, you can use different parcels or other types of packaging for shipping. If you have an old parcel that is small enough, you can use it and don't have to buy a new box. Otherwise, you can find suitable packaging directly in our shop at Verpacking.com.  There you can easily and cheaply buy a cardboard box for merchandise shipments. Deutsche Post also offers prefabricated boxes for merchandise shipments. Afterwards, you only have to make sure that the DHL box with the contents does not weigh more than 1 kg.

Are all types of packaging suitable for book and consignment shipments?

In principle, it is possible to use other types of packaging, such as envelopes or bags, as long as they do not exceed the maximum dimensions. However, it is important that the goods inside are also sufficiently protected. Cartons for goods shipments therefore offer the best protection in most cases, especially if you choose double-wall cardboard. You can use such packaging for books as well as for electronics, for example. If you also want to protect the contents from moisture, for example in heavy rain, you can pack them in a plastic bag beforehand. All of this is possible as long as you are only sending one item and the accompanying papers and no other documents. If you are sending a DHL box with goods, be sure to mark it BÜWA.

What can be sent as a goods and book shipment?

This is how you can fill the box for DHL shipments in a compliant manner. The name already indicates that only goods belong in the standardised shipping cartons. This means that you are not allowed to send letters, personal messages or other correspondence in a goods shipment box. Only documents that belong to the product, such as invoices, operating instructions or, exceptionally, a greeting card, may be enclosed with the product. Even if you are allowed to seal the shipment completely, it can still be opened by the post office for inspection purposes. If there are more than the goods or associated documents inside, the packaging may be returned to you. You should therefore adhere to the regulations of the post office and make sure that the box and contents of a consignment of goods do not weigh more than one kilogram.

What is the difference between a consignment of goods and a Maxibrief?

A box for a consignment of goods and a Maxibrief are both subject to the same maximum dimensions of 353 x 250 x 50 mm and the maximum weight of 1 kilogram. Both types of shipment can also be packed in different types of packaging. The decisive difference, however, is that a Maxibrief does not require any additional labelling. With a goods or book shipment, on the other hand, you must include the note "BÜWA". Without this reference, you pay the price for a Maxibrief. Accordingly, the price also differs between the two types of shipment. With a Maxibrief, on the other hand, you are free to decide which documents you send in it.

Can private individuals also send goods or only business customers?

Both private individuals and business customers can make use of the low-cost merchandise and book post. Business customers, however, must sign a contract with Österreichische Post AG for more than 200 items per year. Prices are then based on the volume of mail.

Are my shipments of goods and books automatically insured?

No, just like parcels, shipments of goods and books are completely uninsured and therefore cannot be tracked. For this reason, merchandise shipments are often more worthwhile for contents with a lower value. The advantage, however, is that you pay less postage. For example, if you only want to send a simple book, you don't necessarily have to send a parcel as you did in the past.

How and where do I hand in my BÜWA at the post office?

You can either hand in your parcel at a post office or drop it in the letterbox. It is only important that you mark it "BÜWA" so that it is accepted as "BÜWA" in addition to the sufficient franking. You also have the option of sealing the item completely with adhesive tape, which was not possible before 2020.

How does the delivery of an item of goods and books work at Swiss Post?

Depending on the size of the item, an attempt is first made to deliver it to the recipient's front door or letterbox. If the recipient is not at home and the item does not fit in the letterbox, an attempt is made to hand it in to a neighbour, similar to a small parcel or a package. If no one can accept the item of goods or books, a note is left stating that the item has been deposited at the postal branch where the recipient will later have seven days to collect it before it is returned to the sender. It is also possible to send the item to a Packstation, so that it is delivered in any case and the recipient can pick it up there later.

You should bear in mind that merchandise shipments cannot be combined with an additional service, such as registered mail or cash on delivery. Please note the DHL guidelines and possible changes when shipping with a cardboard box.

Can a shipment of goods and books also be sent abroad?

Yes, it is also possible to send a shipment of goods or books abroad. However, you must also pay attention to the additional note "BÜWA". However, since 2019, this service is only offered for commercial use. If you want to send goods abroad as a private customer, you can only do so in a small package or parcel. Depending on the size and weight of the parcel, there are also ways to save money as a private customer. Simply hand over the goods consignment to the cardboard box at the post office or put it in the letterbox with the correct postage.

For whom exactly are consignments suitable?

Deutsche Post offers different types of shipping for various items, both within Germany and abroad. In order to offer private and business customers the opportunity to save money, but also to make shipping easier, many subcategories for shipping were introduced, depending on the type of goods to be sent. In the process, the goods and book shipment was also created. This was created to offer customers a cheaper alternative to a small parcel, DHL box or even Maxibrief. However, only goods may be sent with this type of shipment. At the same time, this type of shipment is therefore suitable for all those who actually do not want to send more than one product or the operating instructions and would like to save some money in the process. Especially products that do not have a high value are well suited for this type of shipment.

Can a shipment of goods and books also be sent as a registered letter?

No, additional services are not possible with a goods or book shipment. However, this would also contradict the purpose of this cheaper shipping option. It is cheaper because of its simplicity and the fact that it is neither insured nor can it be tracked. If you want to send goods as registered mail, you can choose a Maxibrief, a Päckchen or a Paket. It is also not possible to send a shipment of goods and books insured. So far, however, there have only been a few cases of parcels or letters disappearing at Deutsche Post. Thus, you should be able to send goods of a lower value even without insurance without any problems during shipment.