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Good news for people sending packages: Deutsche Post has been withdrawing price increases since the beginning of January after a massive criticism, DHL packages will cost as much as they did in late 2019.
Especially people who send packages frequently can wait for May 1: after criticism from the Federal Network Agency about a price increase for packages from private clients at the end of the year, Deutsche Post has reversed the change.
Swiss Post already announced in February that it wanted to avoid a lengthy legal dispute with the Federal Network Agency and provide clients with clarity on packages and package rates. As a federal authority, the Federal Network Agency oversees publication, among other things.
But what exactly had happened? And how expensive will the packages be from May? t-online.de clarifies the most important questions:
What had happened
Deutsche Post DHL had increased package prices and packages for private customers by an average of three percent at the end of the year (see below). At the time, the company cited “significant increases in personnel and transportation costs and large investments in quality and service improvements” as the reason for this. The company has already informed the Federal Network Agency of the planned price increases for autumn 2019.
However, the regulator considered that the prices of the new packages were inflated and therefore started proceedings against DHL in late January. The network agency suspected that the price adjustments would permanently lead to significantly higher profits than the company estimated.
The Post said it did not share this rating. However, “in light of a long legal dispute that would otherwise be expected with an uncertain outcome, the adjustments will be withdrawn.” This has already happened.
Why are prices only withdrawn now?
Starting May 1, prices apply until December 31, 2019 (see below). According to the Post, the fact that prices did not fall earlier is due to “necessary adjustments to theT systems and customer information. “
According to a Deutsche Post press release, they would have to “physically hold” at the more than 24,000 acceptance points. In plain language: Swiss Post had to reprint and redistribute its posters and price notices at branches. And that took a while.
How expensive will the packages be from May?
New prices can be found in this overview, prices through April 30 are in parentheses:
| Prices in euros | Branch price | Online price |
|---|---|---|
| Packages | 3.79 | 3.79 |
| Package M | 4.5 4.5 (4.79) | 4.39 (4.49) |
| Package up to 2 kg | n.a. | 4.99 (5.49) |
| Package of up to 5 kg. | 7.49 | 5.99 (6.49) |
| Package of up to 10 kg. | 9.49 (10.49) | 8.49 (9.49) |
| Package up to 31.5 kg | 16.49 (18.49) | 16.49 (17.49) |
Deutsche Post has also withdrawn price increases for cash on delivery (6.9 instead of 7.9 euros), insurance up to 2,500 euros (6 instead of 7 euros) and more packages (5.99 instead of 6 , 99 euros). The exact maximum dimensions of the packages can be found on the Deutsche Post home page or at a post office.
