How to Ship a Package to Germany

In business sometimes it is necessary to ship a package to another country. It is especially true with e-commerce, such as eBay, which lists items internationally. Sometimes people need to ship a package internationally in personal life, as well, since the world is becoming smaller. Shipping a package to Germany is different to shipping a package domestically (in the United States).

According to Royal Mail Postal Advice, "Germany has strict rules about receiving mail, which, if ignored, may result in your mail being returned to you with no attempt at delivery," so it is important to pay attention to their rules.

How to Address Your Package to Germany (Source: Royal Mail Postal Advice)

1) Royal Mail Postal Advice suggest you "use the new five-digit postcode" as "using an old four-digit postcode will cause delay." Therefore it is best to use the new postcode because a delay would look bad on your business or cost your friends or family a longer wait.

2) Unlike the United States, the postcode goes before the town name. The postcode is the equivalent to zip codes in the United States.

3) The house numbers go after the street name, again the opposite of how they are done in the United States.

How to Find a Postcode

Deutsche Post Direkt has a link on their website which will help senders find street information and postcode information. The site appears to be easy to navigate. This is probably the best way to get the correct five digit post code. The site can be access from here.

Calculating Postage

Deutsche Post Direkt has a link on their website to figure out postage costs. When I clicked on the link, it did send me to a German site. I might be able to figure out how to view it to English or it may not be available in English. If you speak German or have staff that does speak Germa,n this is not a problem, and it looks like it is user friendly. The link to the site can be found here

Shipping Tracking

The Deutsche Post Direkt has an online tracking service, as well. The link did work in English. Deutsche Post Direkt gives you the option for a single lookup, business inquiry, and international investigation request. The site again appears easy to use. One can access the site from here.

Shipping a package to Germany is simple. It is a little different from shipping items in the United States. However, the differences are not that bad, and if followed will prevent delays or the chance your item will not make it to the desired destination. Deutsche Post Direkt has some tools to help with postal codes, cost calculating and tracking your package to make sending a package to Germany easier for your business, family or friends.

Sources:

Royal Mail Postal Advice

Deutsche Post Direkt