Books and goods by post: The most important facts at a glance

You want to send small goods or books by post and are unsure which is the best way to send them? With book and merchandise shipments you make a good choice and benefit from numerous advantages. In this article we give you an overview of the most important questions about dimensions, packaging and postage. You can also find out what else you can send as a merchandise item besides books.

What is a consignment?

You can use a consignment to send small items or books by post – this has advantages for you, particularly in terms of price. At the same time, there are some special features to consider when packing and sending goods, which we have summarised for you in this article.

Primarily, book and merchandise shipments are offered by DHL (Deutsche Post). With other providers such as Hermes or DPD, there are alternatives to sending books and smaller items. We’ll show you what options you have and how to proceed with your merchandise shipment.

Book and merchandise shipments with DHL

If you want to send small items, you’ll find a selection of options at DHL for shipments weighing less than two kilograms. In addition to large letters, DHL offers a particularly inexpensive option for sending books or small, bulky items weighing up to one kilogram. Books and goods shipments can be sent without concluding a contract. For goods shipments up to 2 kilograms, DHL Päckchen or Paket can be used.

Sending goods and books with Merchandise Post for business customers

Business customers have the option of using the so-called Warenpost service. For this, a contract must be concluded online, either for national or international shipments of goods. The prerequisite is that more than 200 items are sent per year.

The offer is worthwhile compared to the normal DHL book and merchandise shipping if you send a lot of shipments. Among other things, you benefit from faster delivery and additional shipment tracking. Additional delivery options, such as shipment notifications or the choice of drop-off location, can also be booked as an option. If you send more than 6,000 items per year, you have the option of having the goods collected.

Which goods can be sent as book shipments?

Classically, books in particular can be sent as consignments. In addition, it is also possible to send other items within the specified sizes – for example, spare parts, accessories for mobile phones, electronic devices or data carriers. Textiles or small household goods can also be sent as inexpensive merchandise shipments. It is important that you only enclose invoices or delivery notes (i.e. goods-related documents) with the shipment. Letters or other correspondence are not permitted.

Tip: Would you like to send a book as a birthday present? Then you can benefit from the advantages of sending goods. You will find a selection of pretty gift packaging in our shop.

Packing consignments: the right way to do it

There are various options for packing merchandise shipments, which we will present to you in this section. When packing, make sure that you comply with the dimensions and weights specified by DHL for shipments of goods.

Which packaging to choose?

When you pack shipments of goods, you can Small cardboard boxes use rectangular packaging. The packaging should in no case exceed the maximum dimensions for book and merchandise shipments. They should also leave enough space for secure padding. Alternatively, you can use sturdy Shipping bags or padded envelopes made of cardboard or strong paper. You can also find special book packaging or e-commerce packaging in our shop. Feel free to use our box finder to find the right packaging for your shipment. However, you should refrain from using normal envelopes and foil bags when sending books or goods.

It is important to secure the goods with padding to prevent them from being damaged or slipping. In our shop you will find a large selection of padding and filling materials for this purpose. Book and merchandise shipments with DHL may be sent sealed. However, for control purposes, it is possible that the shipment will be opened and checked during the postal journey. You can seal your shipment with strong adhesive tape or use resealable packaging.

Important: You must clearly mark the books and goods item as such. To do this, write “BÜWA” on the envelope above the recipient’s address in clearly legible letters.

What dimensions and weights apply to book and merchandise shipments?

Basically, you have the option of sending book and merchandise shipments by post in the categories up to 500 grams and up to 1000 grams. The exact dimensions and weights can be found in the following overview (as of July 2022):

Type of goods consignment	Dimensions (maximum)	Weight
Books and goods 500	35.3 x 25 x 5 cm	up to 500 gram
Books and merchandise item 1000	35.3 x 25 x 5 cm	up to 1000 grammes

What alternatives are there for sending goods and books by post?

In addition to sending books and goods, there are a few alternatives available to you. Items weighing up to one kilogram can be posted as a Großbrief or Maxibrief. For items weighing up to two kilograms, you can use DHL Päckchen or Paket.

The advantage of sending books and goods is that they are reasonably priced and generously sized. In return, there is a longer delivery time compared to the other options. In addition, tracking is not possible and no liability is assumed for shipments. Both are included with DHL parcels and can be booked additionally for letter mail items.

Would you like to enclose a letter or other correspondence with your goods shipment that is not the delivery note or invoice? Then sending it as a large or maxi letter is the right thing to do. Are your goods larger or heavier than the specified dimensions and weights for book and merchandise shipments? Then the DHL small parcel is the best option. You can find more information in our blog articles on postage for small parcels and optimising postage for letters.

Are your goods valuable? Then the DHL Paket with tracking and liability up to 500 euros is a good choice. Please note that DHL parcels weighing up to two kilograms have a maximum size of 60 x 30 x 15 cm. You can find precise information on weight and dimensions for shipments weighing less than two kilograms directly from DHL.

Sending merchandise shipments: What should you bear in mind?

Before you send your shipment, there are still a few questions to be answered about the drop-off point, postage and delivery. We have compiled the most important information for you.

What postage is charged for book and merchandise shipments?

The following costs apply for national merchandise shipments (as of July 2022):

• Books and merchandise items up to 500 grammes: 1.95 euros
• Books and merchandise up to 1000 grams: 2,25 Euro

In principle, the usual franking types can be used – these include the normal stamp as well as the Internet stamp. For merchandise shipments weighing up to 500 grams, a special stamp with a value of 1.95 euros is also available.

Where do you drop off merchandise shipments?

Book and merchandise items can be dropped off in letterboxes, provided the size of the item allows it. Alternatively, they can be dropped off at Deutsche Post branches.

What additional services are available for goods shipments?

Book and merchandise shipments with DHL can only be combined with the “Premium Address” option. Other services, such as cash on delivery or registered mail, are not available. For merchandise mail for business customers, additional options such as shipment tracking or notification are included or can be added.

How does the delivery of book and merchandise mail work?

Book and merchandise shipments are usually delivered with a duration of up to four working days. Normally, delivery is made via the letterbox. If there is not enough space in the letterbox, the goods will be delivered directly to the recipient or taken to a neighbour or a Packstation.

Hermes & DPD: Alternatives to book and merchandise shipments

The parcel services Hermes and DPD offer you various options for sending books and goods. We have compiled an overview for you:

Hermes

The Hermes small parcel is suitable as an alternative for goods shipments. A maximum weight of 25 kilograms applies. The sum of the shortest and longest sides must not exceed 37 centimetres. Alternatively, you can use the S parcel, where the sum may not exceed 50 centimetres. Find out more in our blog post “Postage for parcels: The most important questions and answers” to find out more about postage for Hermes Päckchen and S-Pakete.

DPD

For sending catalogues or samples you can use the DPD ParcelLetter service. The weight per shipment should not exceed 1000 grams.

The parcel options XS or S are suitable for sending books and goods. If you add up the shortest and longest sides of the parcels, the parcel should not exceed 35 centimetres for Parcel XS and 50 centimetres for Parcel S. In our blog you can find information about the costs for small parcels with DPD.

Book and merchandise parcels: a practical solution

If you want to send small and light goods such as books or DVDs, then the books and goods shipment is a convenient option. Don’t you have the right packaging yet? Or are you looking for packaging materials and accessories for another reason? Then feel free to browse through our shop and choose from a variety of offers ranging from shipping bags to moving boxes. Are you not sure which packaging size is right for you? Then our box finder will help you.