Letter postage 2027: why Deutsche Post wants to raise prices
Deutsche Post plans to charge €1.15 instead of 95 cents for a standard letter from 1 January 2027. This guide explains the reasons, the approval process and what it means for your shipping. Approval is still pending.
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Planned prices from January 2027
Deutsche Post proposes €1.15 for a standard letter from 1 January 2027, compared with 95 cents today. Postcards and compact, large and maxi letters would also become more expensive. The proposed price for a standard international letter is €1.45.
The proposed prices would apply until the end of 2028. Check Deutsche Post's current terms before calculating your shipping costs.
The reasons: fewer letters and higher costs per item
The Federal Network Agency identifies the sharp decline in letter volumes as a main reason. Spreading costs across fewer letters increases the cost per letter. Digitalisation drives this decline, with mandatory electronic invoicing for businesses adding to it from 2028.
Deutsche Post also points to rising staff, energy and infrastructure costs. It must continue to maintain letterboxes and branches across the country.
How the Federal Network Agency's process works
The price-cap process sets the permitted scope for increases, rather than individual prices. The average allowance for private-customer letters and business mail is 20.35%. It includes inflation of 4.04% over two years and productivity of minus 16.31%.
Deutsche Post decides how to distribute the allowance across products. The agency says its proposal remains below the increases Deutsche Post requested. A final decision is expected in November, after which Deutsche Post applies for individual product prices.
What this means for you as an eBay seller
If you send small, light items as letters, plan for higher costs. Formats are also changing: according to ifun.de, Päckchen would include tracking and liability up to €20 from January, while the maximum weight would fall to one kilogram.
Shipnovo helps you print labels and manage tracking numbers. The carrier sets postage prices, not Shipnovo.
- Prepare your shipping profiles and prices for 2027 early
- Compare letters, Kleinpaket and Päckchen using the new prices
- Check whether your item prices cover the postage change
Common questions
The proposed standard letter price is €1.15 from 1 January 2027. Approval from the Federal Network Agency is still pending.
The Federal Network Agency mainly cites falling letter volumes. Costs are spread across fewer items. Staff, energy and infrastructure costs also contribute.
Subject to approval, the prices would apply from 1 January 2027 until 31 December 2028.