5 Top E-commerce Shipping Partners in Germany

The parcel market in Germany is the largest in Europe. Its revenue doubled in 2020 reaching 23.5 billion euros and at the same time, the number of parcels doubled reaching over 3.7 billion. Deutsche Post DHL, Hermes Group, and DPD Group are the top 3 leading players in the German parcel market.

Here is a chart of the estimated shipping rates by the top parcel companies in Germany.

The German parcel market is projected to reach over 32 billion euros by 2025 with the majority share of shipments in the B2C sales segment.

Let’s have a look at the top 5 e-commerce shipping partners for Germany and their solutions to online businesses.

1. Deutsche Post DHL E-commerce Solutions

DHL, a part of the Deutsche Post, is a German logistics and package delivery service provider. It has its headquarter in Bonn, Germany. DHL eCommerce Solutions is a shipment solution for e-commerce businesses for shipping domestic and cross-border products.

For domestic shipping in Germany, DHL eCommerce offers two options:

1. Standard shipping

Here, the customer has the option to print parcel stamps conveniently at home or at any DHL location. The delivery duration for standard shipping is usually 1-2 working days.

2. Express Shipping

In Express shipping, the delivery is done within the next day with a time option (there is a surcharge for time options).

For DHL eCommerce international parcel shipping, again there are two types, Standard shipping and Express shipping.

1. DHL International Standard Shipping Rates

2. DHL International Express Shipping rates

For international shipping, the rates start from EUR 44.79 (for weight up to 0.5 kg) for different zones in the EU. The rates worldwide (for weight up to 0.5 kg) start from EUR 43.24. DHL offers DHL Expresseasy National & International for urgent parcels. The parcels are delivered the next day for domestic shipments and within 2-3 working days for international shipments.

2. Hermes

Hermes is Germany’s largest logistics service provider for deliveries to private customers. It has over 16000 ParcelShops in Germany with more than 400 local branches and 30 depots. Its headquarter is in Hamburg, Germany. It delivers 817 million shipments in Europe every year. For e-commerce businesses, it offers-

The parcel services it offers are-

Package announcement-

Easy 2-4 hour delivery window with detailed information link to shipment tracking

Desired delivery-

The online buyers decide how they would like to receive their parcels

Parcelshop direct delivery-

The parcel is delivered directly to the ParcelShop

IdentService-

An identity check is done at the front door or in the ParcelShop during delivery

Express Service-

It is a fast track priority delivery service

Cash on delivery service-

Safe and fast delivery of goods to the recipient against cash payment of the value of goods.

Returns shipping-

Hermes offers shipping with return solutions for the customers

International shipping-

For e-commerce businesses to send parcels to international destinations.

3. DPD

DPD Germany is a part of the international DPD group. In France, DPD is a part of Groupe La Poste, Europe’s second-largest postal service.

For Germany, it has the DPD Classic parcel delivery services for fast standard delivery times and outstanding value for money.

The DPD Express Shipping is for faster delivery of parcels domestically and internationally. For domestic shipments, the delivery is on the next working day.

The international shipping solutions, DPD has an efficient international network of more than 800 locations with cost-effective priced delivery to 37 European countries.

For e-commerce businesses, DPD offer services such as-

Refer to the below image for the DPD domestic shipping price chart.

Refer to the chart below for DPD international shipping rates from Germany within the EU.

4. GLS

GLS Germany is a part of the global GLS Group. It has over 7000 GLS ParcelShops and 6000 vehicles to transport parcels throughout Germany.

GLS for e-commerce businesses offers the following domestic shipment solutions-

Flex Delivery Service-

The recipient gets a variety of delivery options and is notified about the expected delivery date and time

Store Return Service-

The recipient can return parcels for free through a GLS ParcelShop

Store Delivery Service-

The product is delivered directly to a GLS ParcelShop

Pick & Return Service-

The package is picked from any point and returned to the desired address.

Pick & Ship Service-

The package is picked from an address and delivered directly to the recipient

Guaranteed 24 Service-

Guaranteed delivery on the next working day throughout Germany

GLS Same Day-

Delivery to the customer on the same evening between 5:30 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Delivery at Work Service-

GLS delivers the parcel directly to a department or office.

Exchange Service-

Delivery and returns are collected in one go.

Identity Service-

Proof of identity at the time of parcel handover

Ident PIN Service-

Parcel handover to the person against PIN number

Cash Service-

Cash paid by the recipient upon delivery and the amount is transferred to the sender.

Consignment Service-

Delivery of multiple packages to one recipient

Letter Box Service-

Parcel delivered directly to the mailbox without the recipient’s signature.

Similarly, for international shipping, GLS offers a wide range of services.

Store Return Service-

The consignees return parcels free of cost through GLS ParcelShop

Store Delivery Service-

The parcel is delivered directly to a GLS ParcelShop

Cash Service-

The recipient pays for the goods in cash upon delivery

Pick & Return Service-

The package is picked from any address and returned to the desired address.

Pick & Ship Service-

The package is picked at an address and delivered directly to the recipient

Flex Delivery Service-

The recipient gets information on the delivery options

eDeclaration Service-

GLS takes care of the customs clearance

The domestic shipping rates in Germany are based on the package sizes. Here’s a chart for it.

Package Prices for shipping to Germany

Standard transit time:1 day (Mon-Fri)

Max Weight:40kg

5. UPS

UPS Germany is a part of the global UPS group founded in Seattle in the year 1907. It ships parcels to 220+ countries with 2,285 daily flight segments globally.

In Germany, for domestic shipments, its solutions are-

UPS Express Plus-

Next day delivery as early as 9:00 a.m.

UPS Express-

Early delivery to destinations within Germany as early as 10:30 a.m.

UPS Express Saver-

An economical alternative for next-day shipments

UPS Standard-

Specific day delivery estimates to plan delivery dates.

For international shipments, it has-

UPS Worldwide Express Plus-

Delivery to 55+ countries with time-definite delivery. Send parcels to the USA, Europe, and Canada within 9:00 a.m. the next day. Send parcels to Asia in 2 days as early as 9:00 a.m.

UPS Worldwide Express-

In-house customs clearance with 3 delivery attempts. Delivery to Europe the next day as early as 12:00 p.m. and to cities in USA and Canada in 1-2 days as early as 10:30 a.m. For South America and Asia, it takes 3+ days.

UPS Express Saver-

Fast and economical international shipping with delivery to locations in Asia in 3 days and the U.S., and Canada by the end of 2 days.

UPS Worldwide Expedited-

Door-to-door service with in-house customs clearance. It includes 3 delivery attempts and day-definite delivery. It takes 3 days for Russia and Ukraine and 3+ days for the U.S., Turkey, and Japan.

UPS Worldwide Standard-

Cost-effective specific day delivery estimates within 2-3 working days.

Conclusion

With e-commerce set to grow at a rapid pace, technology has taken the front seat. It is a heartening fact to know that more and more shipment providers are focusing more on environmental sustainability and doing everything to reduce their carbon footprint. The e-commerce shipping companies in Germany have had a solid year. 2022 looks promising with first-time online shoppers set to grow and e-commerce companies doing everything to satisfy their customers’ shipping concerns.