Change in VAT

Effective January 1, 2021

We will be reversing the temporary VAT rate reduction as planned on January 1, 2021.

Effective January 1, 2021, we will reverse the temporary VAT rate reduction introduced as part of the German government's stimulus package for the period July 1 to December 31, 2020.

Products and services subject to value added tax will revert to their previous tax rate of 19% or 7% for the reduced rate, as planned.

Many of our products - such as individual letter mail items and parcels without additional services up to 10 kg - are exempt from VAT because they fall under the category of universal postal services*. Prices for these products therefore remain unaffected by the change in VAT.

More on products and prices:

Products with adjusted prices due to the VAT reduction - such as P.O. box, redirection and storage services, envelopes for "Plusbrief", Packsets, and certain parcel and Express items - will be listed with their new prices in all price lists and in the Deutsche Post online shop. The new prices apply effective January 1, 2021, from which time they can be viewed in the online versions of "Leistungen und Preise" (services and prices) on our websites.

Parcel

Parcel prices (Germany)

Parcel prices (international)

Want to ship Paket or Päckchen parcels. Take advantage of convenient onlinefranking.

Sending parcels as a business customer. You'll find all information on domestic (Germany) and worldwide parcel service here.

Express

Prices for ExpressEasy (Germany)

Prices for ExpressEasy (international)

Want to ship Express. Send items quickly and easily with onlinefranking.

Are you a DHL Express business customer. You'll find all information on domestic (Germany) and international Express service here.

Letter mail

Letter mail prices (Germany)

Letter mail prices (international)

Want to shop for Deutsche Post products conveniently online. Just visit Deutsche Post's online shop.

Calculate and buy your postage online using our Portoberater pricing tool.

Dialogue marketing

What is changing for dialogue with existing customers? Click here for more information.

Changes relevant for engaging new customers can be found here.

Prices and information for your high-coverage advertising can be found here.

Downloads

Services and prices

Priceoverview

Frequently asked questions

General

Where can I find more information on the change in value-added tax (VAT)? (Rulings, legal texts, etc.)

Information is available on the German Federal Ministry of Finance website at bundesfinanzministerium.de.

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“Umsatzsteuer” (sales tax) is listed on Deutsche Post receipts and in the Deutsche Post shop. What is the difference between “Mehrwertsteuer” (VAT) and “Umsatzsteuer” (sales tax)?

There is no difference between the two.

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When will the change in VAT enter into force?

Effective January 1, 2021, the regular tax rate of 19% or 7% will be reinstated for products that are subject to VAT.

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Will DPAG billing be updated straight away, effective January 1, 2021, or will I carry on paying 16% in the first instance?

The change in VAT will become effective directly on January 1, 2021.

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I ordered a product before January 1, 2021, however, it is only available for delivery after VAT returns to its previous level (e.g. possible for coins). What price do I pay if the product is delivered once regular VAT levels apply?

The VAT rate valid at time of delivery applies. If you receive the product after December 31, 2020, the regular VAT rate applies to the product you ordered (e.g. coins, special edition stamps) irrespective of time of payment.

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Which products (for example) will see a change in price again?

Most of our products for private customers sending parcels domestically and internationally are exempt from VAT. However, there will be a change in price for domestic and EU-wide DHL parcels over 10 kg and for all items booked with the additional services "Bulky items", "Cash on delivery" and "Roll-shaped items", since the entire product is subject to VAT when these services are added. The change in price will of course also apply to all current Packsets and Pluspäckchen.

Prices for DHL products (e.g. DHL Paket) and DHL services (e.g. Ident-Check, Cash on delivery) for customers with business customer contracts are listed as net prices. The VAT line on invoices will reflect the changed rate.

The change in VAT applies to the following DHL Express products and services (available in selected retail outlets):

ExpressEasy National
ExpressEasy International Zone 1-4 (EU)
Time-definite items as well as Saturday delivery and "Eigenhändig" (delivery to recipient only)

Most domestic mail products are exempt from VAT, but changes in price will apply, for example, to postings that fall under the scope of partial services or for certain services such as HIN + WEG. Some of the philately and numismatics product lines are also subject to VAT and therefore affected by the rate change.

For international mail products the price of the "Cash on delivery" service will change due to the change in VAT rate. International products for business customers such as letters at kilogram rates, Dialogpost or Press International are listed as net prices. The VAT line on invoices will reflect the changed rate.

Promotional mailings to customers via Dialogpost will also see a change in price due to the change in VAT rate.

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Does the change in VAT apply to products that have already been bought but not yet sent or used?

Any products subject to VAT (product stamps, parcel labels etc.) that were bought before January 1, 2021, were priced at the VAT rate applicable at time of purchase (16%). These products remain valid even if they are first used after January 1, 2021. Tax-free products (stamps etc.) are unaffected by the change in VAT rate.

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Does the change in VAT only apply for Germany, or to international products too?

The change in VAT applies to all domestic and international postal services subject to VAT. Letter mail items (individual letter mail), parcels for private customers up to 10 kg, and non-EU international items are VAT exempt, so the change in VAT applies primarily to private-customer parcels above 10 kg and various services such as "Bulky items", "Roll-shaped items" and "Cash on delivery". Invoicing for business customer products will be adjusted in line with domestic business customer products.

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What about physical stamps, single stamps and "Sparset" discount packs purchased before the change in VAT took effect?

Physical stamps (purchased individually or in "Sparset" discount packs) remain valid for their declared value regardless of price changes.

Individual mail items are exempt from VAT, so the postage price remains the same.

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Parcel

What happens to online Sparset packs purchased before the change in VAT took effect?

Online "Sparset" coupons remain valid for their declared value regardless of price changes.

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Express

How does the change in VAT affect prices for DHL Express products and services?

The change in VAT applies to the following retail outlet products and services from DHL Express:

ExpressEasy National
ExpressEasy International Zone 1-4 (EU)
Time-definite items as well as Saturday delivery and "Eigenhändig" (delivery to recipient only)

For DHL online franking, the change in VAT also applies for Express pick-up and international time-definite items; these services are available exclusively online.

For business customers, Express items are subject to VAT. The change in VAT will be applied in accordance with VAT law.

Accordingly, DHL Express will adjust the regular VAT rate from 16% to 19% for products and services subject to VAT.

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Letter mail

Which mail products are subject to VAT, i.e. which products include VAT in their final price?

Deutsche Post’s "Leistungen und Preise" (services and prices) directory is available at deutschepost.de/preise; here you will find information on prices for all products and services, including their VAT status.

Most domestic mail products are exempt from VAT. Examples of mail products subject to VAT include postings that fall under the scope of taxable partial services or certain taxable services such as HIN + WEG. Some of the philately and numismatics product lines are also subject to VAT and therefore affected by the rate change.

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What happens if I purchase stamps before December 31, 2020, but only use them to send mail in January?

Stamps may not be used as postage on products and services that are subject to VAT; in this respect nothing changes.

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DHL Online Franking

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DHL Online Franking

Frank parcels conveniently and affordably right from your home.

Parcel franking on the go

Buy parcel stamps online for printing at a Packstation or in a post office.

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Parcel franking on the go

Buy parcel stamps online for printing at a Packstation or in a post office.

Packing material and tips

With our convenient DHL Packsets you always have the right packaging for your packages and parcels.

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Packing material and tips

With our convenient DHL Packsets you always have the right packaging for your packages and parcels.

* Universal postal services are intended to cover the basic postal needs of the general public. The EU VAT Directive states that universal postal service products must be exempt from VAT, and this is reflected in Germany's Value-Added Tax Act (UStG).
A full list of all current prices can be found here