Some tips on making the best of the Deutsche Post
Though the advent of email may have thrown the profits of postal services around the world into a sharp decline, while standing in line at Munich’s central post office during the holiday season, one is inclined to wonder just how long the queues were before email came along. What exactly is everybody waiting to do? Read on to find out the answer. Letters (Briefe) are, of course, still the main reason why most people go to the post office. However before you head out, with envelope (Briefumschlag) in hand, remember that the price of sending a letter or postcard depends on four factors: the dimensions (Masse), the weight ( Gewicht), the value of your letter (perhaps it contains an important document) and how quickly it must reach its destination. A standard letter (Standardbrief), for example, should be between 140 and 235 mm long, 90 to 125 mm wide, can weigh up to 20 g, have a thickness of no more than 5 mm and will cost € 0.55 to mail within Europe (airmail included) and € 1.50 worldwide. The largest letter (Maxibrief) can be between 100 and 353 mm in length, weigh up to 1,000 g, be 50 mm thick and costs € 2.20. These dimensions may not make much difference when sending individual letters; if, however, you are mailing in bulk, it may well be wise to consider the format of your mail. There is no space to list all the dimensions here, however, the Deutsche Post Website www.deutschepost.de lists all information in English, including prices and a postal-code (UK), zip-code (US) (Postleitzahl) search site for Germany. If you need to send a parcel (Paket), the Deutsche Post and DHL “Postpaket” service is suitable for items weighing up to 20 kg. Parcels are priced according to zones: the United States and Canada are in zone 3 and a package weighing up to 5 kg will cost € 29 to either of these countries. For parcels that have an awkward shape or are in any other way difficult to transport, the Deutsche Post has a “bulky goods” (Sperrgut) service. Again, the information on delivery and prices is on the Deutsche Post Website. One major drawback with the current daytime parcel delivery service is that it is inconvenient for most people who have a nine-to-five job. So the “Packstation” system, already in place in other German cities, may well be introduced in Munich next year. After filling out a registration form, either from a post office or via the Internet, customers will receive a “Goldcard,” which will allow parcels to be collected from machines around the city. You can also have packages you wish to send collected directly from home with the Goldcard. The Deutsche Post has so many services listed on their Website that it is difficult to get an overview and those listed here are intended to act only as a pointer. For all of you who enjoy writing to friends, but often end up carrying the letter or card around in your pocket for weeks before finding time to visit the post office, “Funcard” mailing may be of interest. Go to the Deutsche Post Website and search for “Funcard.” You can choose from a variety of designs or even use an iamge of your own, write a message and mail it online. The charge, € 1.50 within Europe and € 2.05 worldwide, can be paid for either by credit card or direct debit.