A standard package or parcel always has a cube shape, no protruding parts and a flat support surface. (Exceptions: roll-shaped objects, folder packaging, luggage)

Not all shoe boxes may be used for shipping. Please make sure it is sturdy, has no protruding parts and is not sales packaging.

Always use stable shipping boxes made from corrugated cardboard. For sensitive, heavy or large contents, we recommend using outer packaging made from multi-corrugated cardboard. Always choose the packaging size so that enough padding fits inside and, if in doubt, choose the next size of outer packaging up to have enough space for the filling material. With DHL Packsets, you always have the right boxes for your shipments.

Information on Packsets in the Deutsche Post shop.

All shipments that are not cube-shaped, contain protruding parts or contain other packaging are special formats. Additional prices apply for these. Your shipment is considered to be bulky goods subject to a charge if it:

• exceeds the maximum dimensions for parcels in at least one dimension (DHL Paket 120 x 60 x 60 cm; roll* up to 5 kg, length 120 cm or diameter 15 cm)
• is neither cube nor roll-shaped (up to 5 kg)
• has protruding parts
• has packaging made of material other than cardboard or paper and therefore cannot be processed by machine.

Excluded from this are folder packaging and returns in their original packaging.
Your package must not be enclosed in straps or bows.

Bulky goods are shipments for which one or more of the following characteristics apply:

• The maximum dimensions for parcels are exceeded in at least one dimension (DHL Paket 120 x 60 x 60 cm; roll up to 5 kg, length 120 cm or diameter 15 cm)
• Neither cube nor roll-shaped (up to 5 kg)
• Protruding parts
• Packaging made of material other than cardboard or paper
• Unpacked luggage such as suitcases and travel bags

Excluded from this are folder packaging and mail order company returns in their (checked) original packaging.
Your package must not be secured with straps or bows.

Bicycles can only be sent as packaged bulky goods. Use the appropriate shipping boxes for bicycles for this purpose.

For your urn shipment, we recommend our special urn box. The cardboard box is designed exclusively for standard ash capsules and/or standard decorative urns (incl. ashes) in vase and cone shapes.

For further information

Tyres must be shipped well-packaged in boxes provided for this purpose or securely sealed as bulky goods. 

Golf clubs must be shipped well-packaged in boxes provided for this purpose or securely sealed as bulky goods. 

For the shipment of bottles only certified bottle boxes may be used. Otherwise, no liability be assumed in the event of damage during transport. Glass or other fragile goods should always be well packaged with plenty of padding and protected against leaks. Please be aware that there should not be any gaps in the packaging since otherwise the goods will rattle back and forth. A warning about the contents (Caution glass) will help with the transportation process, although this is not a basis for liability during shipping.

Fishing rods must be shipped well-packaged in boxes provided for this purpose or securely sealed as bulky goods. 

Must be identified as hazardous goods, with secure inner and outer packaging.

For the shipment of bottles only certified bottle boxes may be used. Otherwise no liability be assumed in the event of damage during transport. Glass or other fragile goods should always be well packaged with plenty of padding and protected against leaks. Please be aware that there should not be any gaps in the packaging since otherwise the goods will rattle back and forth. A warning about the contents (Caution glass) will help with the transportation process, although this is not a basis for liability during shipping.

Must be securely packaged, with good internal padding on all sides and sturdy outer packaging.

In general, no live animals may be sent by letter, shipment, DHL Päckchen or DHL Paket.

However, shipping is permitted for the following exceptions:

• Letter, Päckchen, Paket: Invertebrates such as queen bees and foraging insects, provided that the sender takes all precautions to ensure safe, animal-friendly transport without special handling.

Please take into account that we cannot give guaranteed lead times for food. Shipments are also exposed to different temperatures. We therefore do not accept any guarantee for shipping with perishable food.

When shipping, please always bear in mind that external temperatures also have an impact on the contents of your parcels and packages.

Hazardous goods are substances and objects which, due to their nature, properties, or condition, may pose a risk to people, animals, the environment or public safety or order during transport. 

Examples: Perfume, nail varnish, weapons, gas cylinders, lithium batteries and much more. 

For further information

Since February 2012, there have been new administrative regulations regarding weapons law. These mean that, when a weapon is delivered, an identity check of the recipient must be carried out.

As far as we are aware, the sender can fulfil this requirement as follows:

• As a branch customer: by adding the service Personal Delivery to the express parcel
  However, the assessment of the relevant weapons authority responsible for the sender is decisive.

The shipment of weapons is only possible nationally - not internationally.

Ignorance and deliberate non-compliance with hazardous goods regulations as well as the use of unsuitable packaging with hazardous goods contents means a danger for:

• DHL Paket employees, possibly also third parties
• Environment (if a substance seeps into the soil and endangers the groundwater)
• Contents of other shipments (e.g., if a liquid substance leaks into a package containing a measuring device costing several thousand euros)
• DHL Paket distribution facilities
• Operating equipment
• Vehicles

Each customer may ship hazardous goods nationally under the conditions of Part 2 of the "Regulations for the Carriage of Dangerous Substances and Objects". This does not require the conclusion of a supplementary agreement for the shipment of hazardous goods.

The "Regulation on Dangerous Goods" can be found in our GTCs and legal "general conditions" under "GTC and GTC-related documents".

The shipment of perfume belongs to the category of hazardous goods. Please read about the regulations for hazardous goods.

Ignorance and deliberate non-compliance with hazardous goods regulations as well as the use of unsuitable packaging with hazardous goods contents means a danger for:

• DHL Paket employees, possibly also third parties
• Environment (if a substance seeps into the soil and endangers the groundwater)
• Contents of other shipments (e.g., if a liquid substance leaks into a package containing a measuring device costing several thousand euros)
• DHL Paket distribution facilities
• Operating equipment
• Vehicles

Each customer may ship hazardous goods nationally under the conditions of Part 2 of the "Regulations for the Carriage of Dangerous Substances and Objects". This does not require the conclusion of a supplementary agreement for the shipment of hazardous goods.

The "Regulation on Dangerous Goods" can be found in our GTCs and legal "general conditions" under "GTC and GTC-related documents".

Liquids in glass must be packed stably and very securely. Pay particular attention to good inner padding on all sides and stable outer packaging.

For the shipment of bottles only certified bottle boxes may be used. Otherwise, no liability be assumed in the event of damage during transport. Glass or other fragile goods should always be well packaged with plenty of padding and protected against leaks. Please be aware that there should not be any gaps in the packaging since otherwise the goods will rattle back and forth. A warning about the contents (Caution glass) will help with the transportation process, although this is not a basis for liability during shipping.