When I first arrived in Germany, accepting a parcel meant signing for it on a piece of paper.

It might sound old-fashioned and not very environmentally friendly now, but at the time it had one big advantage: you could write ANYTHING you wanted to on it.

Such as “package damaged”.

Not that I received many damaged packages back then, in fact did not receive many packages at all at home, but I often signed for them in the office and I was aware of the fact that the carrier would only accept liability for damage to the contents if I wrote it next to my signature. (more…)

The “Post Pack” is a collection of 6 transcripts, each in their own PDF file. The pack is a ZIP file containing the 6 PDFs and is available from the AllThingsGerman Download Store.

The transcripts in this pack are:

• Das Einschreiben
• Paket und Päckchen
• Nachnahme
• Büchersendung
• Die Zuschlagmarke
• Unfrei

To find out more, visit the AllThingsGerman Download Store.

Paket and Päckchen are two ways of sending parcels through the post.

You would use a Päckchen if you are something relatively light, with little value or when you do not need proof of sending.

For more valuable and especially commercial goods, you should use a Paket as you have a receipt to show that you sent it, a tracking number to follow the parcel online and insurance. Obviously you need to make sure that the insurance offered is sufficient for the contents of the parcel.

Sending parcels overseas you also have the choice of Päckchen and Paket, but also the choice of sending by land/sea or by airmail. Sending by air costs more and so it is woth considering whether it is really necessary to have the advantages of the Paket.

To hear a simple explanation and a short discussion in German, listen to the podcast:

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