Shipping to Germany: carriers, delivery times, and more

Germany has one of the most prosperous economies on the planet, and that shows in its e-commerce too. Two numbers tell the story: 94% of the population has internet access, and 84% shop online.

The result? In just four years, the share of GDP coming from the digital market has nearly doubled — from 1.54% to a projected 2.89% in 2020. Since Brexit, Germany has become Europe's top country for e-commerce revenue.

That said, German shoppers are especially demanding. Being able to choose their payment and delivery method, and track their parcel, are essential for a successful sale — which is exactly where improving your shipping to Germany can drive real growth.

Let's start with a look at Germany's most popular marketplaces — full of opportunities for your business.

Why expand your business with shipping to Germany

Shipping to Germany is only one part of an international growth strategy. To make your e-commerce's growth a success, you need to find your place in the market — and marketplaces are the simplest way to do that: a fast alternative into an already-established space, without taking on much risk.

The unstoppable growth of e-commerce has fueled a boom in German marketplaces over the last decade. To reach more potential customers and gain visibility in the country, focus your efforts on Germany's best marketplaces.

Otto

Visited by thousands of users daily, Otto is Germany's second-biggest sales platform, behind Amazon. Its catalog spans fashion, lifestyle, tech, home, and decor — but what really sets it apart is its sustainability policy. To become a third-party seller, you must meet its responsibility requirements for both employees and the environment.

Real

This major German hypermarket chain runs its own sales platform. Beyond the trust built through its physical stores, Real offers sellers free catalog uploads, flexible payment method choices, and simple account cancellation. The one catch: customer service must also be offered in German.

Yatego

Since launching in 2003, Yatego has grown steadily in German digital commerce. It offers direct integration between your Yatego account and your online store. More than 10,000 sellers contribute to a catalog of 5+ million items across categories like clothing, home and garden, drinks, and toys. It's one of the platforms with the strongest presence across German-speaking markets (Switzerland, Austria, and Germany).

Amazon

The best option for selling across Europe's major markets, including Germany. Amazon offers strong advantages: personalized payment and shipping methods, transactions in your own currency, and storage/stock management at their facilities. The downside: competition on this marketplace is fierce, so you'll need to get creative with your product descriptions to stand out.

eBay

While this platform covers a broad catalog, home and garden is the top category in Germany, making up more than 25% of total sales. A standout feature is the ability to run promotional campaigns for your products, with tools to monitor results and adjust as needed.

Carriers and shipping methods for sending parcels to Germany

Shipping to Germany with Correos

Paq Light International

• Light shipments up to 2 kg.

• Max dimensions: 90 cm (length + height + width), no single side over 60 cm.

• Preferred home delivery, no signature required.

• No compensation available.

• Computerized tracking with return information.

Paq Standard International

• Shipments up to 30 kg.

• Max dimensions: 200 cm (length + height + width), no single side over 105 cm.

• Preferred home delivery, signature required.

• Guarantees and compensation in case of loss.

• Shipment tracking, with the option to extend coverage.

Paq Premium International

• Shipments up to 30 kg.

• Max dimensions: 200 cm (length + height + width), no single side over 105 cm.

• Preferred home delivery, signature required.

• Urgent shipments with guaranteed delivery.

• Guarantees and compensation for delay, damage, or loss.

• Tracking, with multi-parcel shipping options.

Shipping to Germany with Correos Express

International Standard

• Economical door-to-door service.

• Shipments up to 50 kg.

• Max dimensions: under 300 cm (2×height + 2×width + length), with length under 200 cm.

• Optional insurance by declared value (€3 minimum, €3000 maximum).

• Single-parcel shipments with basic insurance and online tracking included.

International Express

• Urgent door-to-door air service.

• Shipments up to 40 kg.

• Max dimensions: under 300 cm (2×height + 2×width + length), with length under 200 cm.

• Optional insurance by declared value (€3 minimum, €3000 maximum).

• Online tracking and basic insurance included.

Shipping to Germany with SEUR

SEUR Classic

• Ground transport service.

• Shipments up to 31.5 kg.

• Max dimensions: under 300 cm (2×height + 2×width + length), with length under 175 cm.

• No shipments on weekends or public holidays.

SEUR Net Express

• Economy shipping service.

• Shipments up to 1000 kg.

• Max dimensions: 300 x 120 x 170 cm (height).

• No shipments on weekends or public holidays.

SEUR Cargo Plus

• Air transport service.

• Door-to-door shipments over 70 kg.

• Max dimensions: 180 x 120 x 150 cm.

• Goods must be delivered already packaged and labeled.

• Certain shipments are subject to phytosanitary controls.

• No shipments on weekends or public holidays.

SEUR Courier

• Urgent parcel service.

• Shipments up to 31.5 kg.

• Max dimensions: under 300 cm (2×height + 2×width + length), with length under 175 cm.

• Transit time depends on SEUR's daily international connections.

Shipping to Germany with MRW

Express

• Air transport service.

• Shipments up to 40 kg.

• Urgent next-day delivery for documents and parcels.

• Max dimensions: width + length + height under 250 cm.

• Additional insurance available.

• Includes proof of delivery.

Economy (Ecopaq)

• Combined air-and-ground transport service.

• No weight limit.

• Door-to-door delivery at competitive prices.

• Additional insurance available.

• Includes proof of delivery.

Ecobox25

• Economical single-parcel shipping.

• Billable weight: 1 kg minimum, 25 kg maximum.

• Additional insurance available.

• Includes delivery confirmation.

Shipping to Germany with FedEx

FedEx Europe First

• Urgent parcel service (under 24h).

• Documents and boxes up to 68 kg.

• Max dimensions: under 330 cm (2×height + 2×width + length), max length 274 cm.

• Tracking and location included.

• Proof of delivery included.

FedEx International Priority

• Urgent shipping service (over 24h).

• Includes Saturday delivery.

• Shipments up to 68 kg (heavier shipments use FedEx International Priority Freight).

• Max dimensions: under 330 cm (2×height + 2×width + length), max length 274 cm.

• Tracking and location included.

• Delivery confirmation document included.

FedEx International Economy

• Economical shipping service.

• Delivery Monday to Friday.

• Shipments up to 68 kg (heavier shipments use FedEx International Economy Freight).

• Max dimensions: under 330 cm (2×height + 2×width + length), max length 274 cm.

• Tracking and location included.

• Delivery confirmation included.

Shipping to Germany with UPS

UPS Standard International

• Parcels up to 70 kg.

• No limit on total shipment weight or number of parcels.

• Max dimensions: up to 400 cm combined length and girth, length under 274 cm.

• Special labeling required for parcels over 25 kg (heavy parcel).

• Includes one delivery attempt and confirmation document.

UPS Express and Express Saver International

• Urgent and economy-urgent shipping services.

• Shipments up to 30 kg/parcel.

• Max dimensions: up to 400 cm combined length and girth, length under 274 cm.

• Includes one delivery attempt and confirmation document.

Shipping to Germany with DHL Express

DHL Express Worldwide

• Up to 70 kg/parcel, 1000 kg/shipment maximum.

• Unlimited number of parcels.

• Accepts pallet shipments (up to 300 kg/pallet).

• Max dimensions: 120 x 80 x 80 cm.

• On Demand Delivery service with flexible options for the recipient.

• Includes two delivery attempts.

DHL Express (9:00 and 12:00)

• Urgent shipping service.

• Parcels up to 70 kg (12:00 option) or 30 kg (9:00 option), max 10 parcels/shipment.

• Total shipment weight under 300 kg (no pallets).

• Max dimensions: 120 x 80 x 80 cm.

• On Demand Delivery service with flexible options for the recipient.

• Includes two delivery attempts.

DHL Economy Select

• Economy shipping service.

• Delivery only on certain business days.

• Max weight 70 kg, unlimited number of parcels.

• Total shipment weight under 1000 kg (accepts pallets).

• Max dimensions: 120 x 80 x 80 cm.

• On Demand Delivery service with flexible options for the recipient.

• Includes two delivery attempts.

Shipping to Germany with GLS

EuroBusiness Small Parcel

• Parcels up to 3 kg.

• Delivered in special GLS bags.

• Max dimensions: up to 40 cm in length.

• Real-time online tracking.

• Two delivery attempts with digital signature.

EuroBusiness Parcel

• International parcels up to 40 kg.

• Max dimensions: width under 80 cm, height under 60 cm, length under 200 cm, combined length and girth under 300 cm.

• Real-time online tracking.

• Two delivery attempts with digital signature.

Global Express Parcel

• Urgent parcel and document shipping with digital signature on delivery.

• Parcels up to 50 kg.

• Max dimensions: width under 80 cm, height under 60 cm, length under 200 cm, combined length and girth under 300 cm.

• Includes two delivery attempts.

How long will your shipment to Germany from Spain take?

Note: when shipping to Germany, keep in mind that the country's public holidays can affect delivery times.

Shipping label: how to write the address correctly

There aren't major differences between writing a German address and a Spanish one — but Germans are stricter about the details. Keep these in mind to avoid delays and returned parcels.

Follow this order on the shipping label:

1. Recipient's full name or the business name the parcel is addressed to.

2. Street name followed by the number.

3. Postal code followed by the city name.

4. Country (in capital letters).

The 4 key points of a correctly written German address:

• Always use the 5-digit postal code (the older 4-digit system will cause delivery delays).

• Always place the postal code before the destination city name.

• Note that the German abbreviation for "street" (Strasse → Str) is sometimes attached directly to the street name, and sometimes separated (e.g. Mozartstr / Mozart Str.).

• The house/apartment/building number always comes after the street name.

Shipping to more countries? Check out our guides to shipping to France, shipping to Italy, and shipping to the UK — sell to more countries without the hassle.

Restrictions and documentation for shipping parcels to Germany

Spain and Germany are both EU members, so goods and documents move freely between the two countries. Under the 1993 agreements between EU member states (now 27), these transactions are exempt from customs duties.

One exception: shipments to Germany from the Canary Islands, Ceuta, or Melilla. Although these territories are also part of the EU, specific customs conditions apply.

If you have questions about which documents you need, check out these guides:

• CN22 and CN23: which one do you need to attach, and when?

• Commercial invoice: create one in one click.

• Shipping insurance: why and when should you use it?

Prohibited items: be careful shipping these to Germany

Regardless of where you ship from, keep Germany's import/export restrictions in mind. Prohibited items include:

• Explosive or highly flammable materials (including lithium batteries*).

• Weapons and weapon components.

• Environmentally hazardous materials.

• Chemical substances.

• Items that infringe intellectual property (counterfeits/piracy).

• Publications or media that could cause harm to minority groups.

• Items or components intended for military use.

• Animals.**

• Medicines and narcotics.**

• Plants and other plant species.**

• High-value cultural goods.**

*Some carriers accept lithium batteries as long as they meet special dangerous-goods regulations.

**These goods require special documentation or a license.

5 tips for cheaper shipping to Germany

The final piece of a strong expansion strategy is your shipping cost. Now that you know how to ship to Germany, it's time to think about cutting costs. Beyond the tools Sendcloud offers to optimize your e-commerce logistics, here are 5 tips to put into practice:

• Compare each carrier's rates before deciding, and don't overlook potential surcharges — Sendcloud does this legwork for you.

• Choose packaging that fits each product — on a budget shipment to Germany, every centimeter counts.

• Buy lightweight, versatile packaging in bulk. You'll get discounts and can reuse it across different shipment types.

• Design professional labels and automate the process — a label printer saves packing time, keeps data accurate, and avoids costly returns.

• Insure your parcels. It might feel like an extra cost, but think of it as an investment — losses, damage, and returns are usually far more expensive, both financially and for your brand's reputation.

Ready to grow your business and start shipping to Germany? Create your free Sendcloud account and take advantage of shipping automation.