Parcels and pallets to Germany
Germany is the most important export market for Dutch and Belgian webshops. With 84 million consumers and one of the highest e-commerce spending rates in Europe, reliable delivery to Germany is crucial for your growth. Germany's parcel market processed approximately 4.52 billion shipments in 2024 (source: Bundesnetzagentur), with total sector revenue of €20.56 billion. Six carriers handle ~98% of all parcels: DHL (40%+), Hermes (16%), DPD (~10%), Amazon Logistics (15-25%), GLS (7-8%) and UPS (10-12%).
With Wuunder, you ship parcels and pallets to Germany with the carrier that best fits your shipment: by speed, price or service. Book with a single click or via the API, and we handle labels and pickup automatically.
Our multi-carrier platform includes 120,000+ preconfigured shipping services, including transport rates, transit times and a full capability matrix per service offering. Compare in real-time which option fits best for your shipment.
Easily ship to Germany with your Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, Shopware or self-built store and offer your German customers the checkout experience they expect.
Available carriers for Germany
Below you'll find the most commonly used carriers and services for shipping to Germany via Wuunder. Hermes is the second-largest parcel network in Germany after DHL, followed by DPD in third place. See our full carrier overview for all 120,000+ services — this table shows the most popular options.
| Carrier | Service | Transit NL-DE | Parcel / Pallet |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHL Ecommerce | Connect | 1-2 business days | Parcel |
| DHL Ecommerce | Europlus | 1-2 business days | Parcel & Pallet |
| DPD | Business | 1-2 business days | Parcel |
| DPD | Home | 1-2 business days | Parcel |
| GLS | Business parcel | 1-2 business days | Parcel |
| Hermes | Standard | 1-2 business days | Parcel |
| PostNL | International parcel | 1-2 business days | Parcel |
| DHL Express | Worldwide | Next day | Parcel & Pallet |
| FedEx | International Priority | Next day | Parcel & Pallet |
| TNT | Express | Next day | Parcel & Pallet |
| UPS | Express Saver | Next day | Parcel |
| TOV Solutions | Germany | 2-3 business days | Parcel & Pallet |
| OPC | Overnight Express | Next day | Parcel & Pallet |
| DSV (Schenker) | Pallet / Groupage | 2-3 business days | Pallet |
We create perfect delivery and checkout experiences for ambitious brands
How does shipping to Germany work with Wuunder?
Configuration
- Connect your webshop (Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, Lightspeed or via API)
- Define which carriers, services and rates you want to offer your customers
- Test and activate the checkout in production
Checkout
- PuzzlPack determines the optimal packaging — when you offer customers a choice in the checkout, PuzzlPack runs there: it determines dimensions and volumetric weight so only fitting delivery options are shown. Not offering a choice? Then the packaging logic is handled server-side in your WMS or ERP.
- Wuunder checks which delivery options are available: does the shipment fit in a parcel shop or locker? Only then are those options shown in your checkout
- Compare rates in real-time across all available carriers and services
- Wuunder selects the cheapest and fastest carrier based on your shipping rules (speed, price, weight, destination)
Warehouse
- The buyer or warehouse employee determines how the order is shipped
- Import to WMS and booking with carrier — the order is processed in your WMS and then automatically booked with the selected carrier
- Shipping label is generated automatically
- Pickup is booked with the carrier or you drop off at a service point
Delivery & returns
Parcel shops in Germany
Germany has one of the densest pickup point networks in Europe:
- DHL: 30,000+ Packstations and ServicePoints
- DPD: 10,000+ Pickup points
- UPS: 7,000+ Access Points
- GLS: 6,000+ ParcelShops
- PostNL: 4,000+ pickup points (via local partners in Germany)
Activate the Wuunder Parcel Shop Locator in your checkout to let German customers choose their pickup point.
- More information regarding Checkout solutions
What to consider when shipping to Germany
- Many carriers charge a residential surcharge for delivery to private addresses
- Name-based delivery: delivery to private addresses in Germany is based on the recipient's name combined with the address. If the recipient's name does not match the nameplate on the residence, the shipment will be returned to sender. Always ensure the name on the parcel matches the nameplate at the door.
- DPD and DHL deliver in Germany on Saturdays as well
- Remote area / island surcharges apply to some regions (e.g. Heligoland, North Sea islands)
- Out of area postcodes: there are significant differences between carriers in the number of postcodes classified as "out of area". This means you may pay considerably more surcharges with one carrier than another. Wuunder automatically compares this so you always pick the most cost-effective option.
- Volumetric weight: express carriers (UPS, FedEx, DHL Express) charge the higher of actual or volumetric weight
No customs, but rules apply
Germany is part of the EU single market. That means: no customs forms, no import duties, and no VAT collection at the border. Your customer pays standard Dutch VAT rates.
However, registration with Germany's Verpackungsregister LUCID is mandatory. Every webshop shipping packaged goods to German consumers must register under the Verpackungsgesetz (VerpackG). This applies to non-German retailers as well. Without registration you risk a sales ban and fines.
Optimising shipping costs
- Use Resell rates via our carrier partner for DHL, DPD and PostNL if you don't have your own contract: competitive rates without minimum volume
- Combine carriers: standard parcels via DHL/DPD, urgent shipments via UPS Express or DHL Express
- PuzzlPack: let Wuunder automatically determine the smallest packaging and save on volumetric weight surcharges
Optimise your checkout for German customers
German consumers expect a checkout in their own language, with delivery options from carriers they know and trust. DHL, DPD, GLS and Hermes are the names German shoppers click on. Show PostNL or an unfamiliar logo? A large portion will abandon at checkout.
Tailor your checkout to the market you're shipping to:
- Show carriers customers recognise: in Germany, that's DHL, DPD, GLS (Hermes) and UPS. PostNL is trusted by Dutch shoppers but less familiar in Germany.
- Offer a German-language checkout: translating delivery options, track & trace communications and return instructions into German significantly increases conversion.
- Use the Wuunder Parcel Shop Locator: automatically display the nearest DHL Packstation, DPD Pickup or GLS ParcelShop based on the German delivery address. Parcel shops and lockers are only shown when the shipment actually fits (based on PuzzlPack dimensions).
- Show your own stores as pickup points: have retail locations in Germany? With Wuunder you can also display your own stores as pickup options in the checkout, so customers can collect their order at your shop.
- Set shipping rules per country: with Wuunder, you define per destination country which carriers and services appear in your checkout. This way your German customers only see relevant options.
By tailoring your checkout to local expectations, you reduce cart abandonment and increase customer satisfaction in Germany.
Returns from Germany
German consumers expect free and easy returns. With Wuunder Returns you offer:
- Return labels via DHL, DPD or UPS with drop-off at parcel shops in Germany
- QR code returns (no printer needed)
- Branded returns portal where customers can also exchange instead of return
- Automatic tracking of return shipments via Wuunder Track
Ready to conquer Germany? Start with a free scan.
In 15 minutes, we walk through your current shipping process to Germany. We show you which carriers, services and rates fit best.
Q: Which carrier is cheapest for Germany?
A: Wuunder has 120,000 services available as standard. This lets you instantly see which services are available to Germany. If you use your own rates, you compare actual rates and can easily verify the carrier's invoice. See the full carrier overview for all available carriers.
Q: Can I have Saturday delivery in Germany?
A: Yes. DPD and DHL deliver to residential addresses in Germany on Saturdays. Configure this via your shipping rules in Wuunder Checkout so your customer sees the correct delivery day.
Q: How fast is delivery to Germany?
A: Standard parcels are delivered in 1-2 business days. Express services like UPS Express Saver and DHL Express offer next-day delivery before a guaranteed time. Your customer tracks the shipment via Wuunder Track.
Q: Can I ship pallets to Germany?
A: Yes. Via DHL Europlus Pallet and TNT you ship pallets up to 1,000 kg to business addresses in Germany. DSV and TOV Solutions also offer pallet transport via our platform. View all carriers.
Q: How do returns from Germany work?
A: Via Wuunder Returns, your German customers can drop off return parcels at DHL Packstations, DPD Parcelshops, UPS Access Points or PostNL pickup points. QR code returns are available so customers don't need a printer. You can also offer a branded returns portal where customers can exchange items.
Q: Do I need to register with the German Verpackungsregister?
A: Yes. Every webshop shipping packaged goods to German consumers must register with LUCID under the Verpackungsgesetz (VerpackG). This applies to non-German retailers as well. Without registration you risk a sales ban and fines.
Q: What checkout options do German customers expect?
A: German consumers expect carriers they recognise (DHL, DPD, GLS, Hermes), a German-language checkout, and the ability to choose a Packstation or ParcelShop. With the Wuunder Parcel Shop Locator you automatically show the nearest pickup point based on the delivery address.
Related destinations
Also explore our pages on shipping to other popular European destinations:
- Ship to Germany
- View all carriers →