Warenpost or DHL Kleinpaket: which applies today?
For shipments within Germany, DHL offers DHL Kleinpaket. DHL now uses the name Warenpost only for international shipments. This guide clarifies the terms, gives dimensions and prices with sources, and shows you which option to choose today.
Published on · Last reviewed on by Igors Kirjanovs, Managing Director of i-Garant Onlinetrading UG (haftungsbeschränkt)
DHL Kleinpaket is the domestic service
For shipments within Germany, DHL offers DHL Kleinpaket. It is for business customers and accepts shipments weighing up to 1 kg, measuring 10 to 35.3 cm long, 7 to 25 cm wide and up to 8 cm high. It includes tracking. For international shipments, DHL directs customers to Warenpost International.
Warenpost International for shipments abroad
For shipments abroad, DHL offers Warenpost International. DHL Kleinpaket is only available within Germany. Shipnovo prints the CN22 customs declaration for Warenpost International directly on the label.
Deutsche Post’s merchandise shipment service
According to Deutsche Post, a merchandise shipment weighing up to 1,000 g costs €2.70. For shipments weighing up to 2,000 g, an additional €0.85 applies. The dimensions are 10 to 35.3 cm long, 7 to 25 cm wide and up to 5 cm high. It does not include parcel-style tracking.
An example: a T-shirt weighs 350 g including packaging and is 3 cm high. It qualifies as a merchandise shipment up to 1,000 g and costs €2.70. If the same parcel weighs 1,400 g, it costs €2.70 + €0.85 = €3.55. If it is more than 5 cm high, it no longer qualifies as a merchandise shipment. The prices are taken from the Deutsche Post website, as of 13 October 2026.
Which option suits your item?
If you need a tracking number and have a DHL business customer contract, choose DHL Kleinpaket. For inexpensive, flat items that do not need tracking, the merchandise shipment service may be sufficient. You can use both in Shipnovo via your DHL contract or your postage account, respectively. Your contract determines the price of DHL Kleinpaket.
Sources
- Merchandise shipments: price, dimensions, weight surcharge: Merchandise shipments (Deutsche Post)
- Merchandise shipments and parcels: a price comparison: DHL domestic prices (private customers)
- DHL Kleinpaket: dimensions, weight, business customers only, international shipping via Warenpost International: DHL Kleinpaket (business customers)
Common questions
No. For shipments within Germany, DHL offers DHL Kleinpaket. DHL now uses the name Warenpost only for international shipments. Choose DHL Kleinpaket for domestic shipments.
Without a tracking number, you only report the status as shipped. In Shipnovo, enable this under “Versandmeldung an eBay” (shipping notification to eBay).
A shipment with a tracking number, meaning at least a DHL Kleinpaket or a parcel. This allows you to provide proof of dispatch.