New Postal Act in Germany: Labelling Requirement from 10 kg for Parcels

On 1 January 2025, a new postal law came into force in Germany that will bring significant changes for postal and parcel services. One key change concerns the labelling requirement for parcels, which is important for both service providers and consumers.

Changes of the Postal Act 2025 in Germany

Extended responsibility of the Federal Network Agency

The new law gives the german Federal Network Agency extended powers to monitor postal and parcel services. In the future, all providers will have to register in a provider directory and regularly provide evidence of compliance with various laws, such as the Working Hours Act and the Minimum Wage Act.

Stronger controls and sanctions

The german Federal Network Agency is now authorised to impose fines of up to 50,000 euros for violations of the new regulations.

Effects on consumers and manufacturers

For consumers, the introduction of the new German Postal Act means that they can expect an improved quality of service.

For manufacturers, the introduction of the new German postal law means that they will have to adapt their shipping processes and ensure that all parcels weighing over 10 kg are correctly labelled.

Weight categories and labelling for parcels under the German Postal Act 2025

The obligation to label parcels lies with the sender. The regulation provides for two specific weight categories:

• Parcels over 10 kg up to 20 kg: These must be labelled with a clearly visible and easily understandable indication of their ‘increased weight’.
  
• Parcels over 20 kg up to 31.5 kg: Here too, clear labelling is required, which differs from the labelling in the first category and indicates the ‘high weight’.

Practical implementation of the labelling requirement for heavy parcels

For business customers, the new labelling requirement from 1 January 2025 means that they will have to comprehensively review their shipping software and processes and adapt them if necessary. Industrial scales with a limit value function play a key role in this, not only precisely recording the weight, but also automatically issuing a warning if the parcel exceeds certain weight thresholds (e.g. 10 kg or 20 kg). As soon as a parcel reaches a certain weight, industrial scales can directly print a corresponding label that indicates the increased weight with the corresponding weight information.

Aim of the labelling obligation

This measure is primarily aimed at German labour protection. The clear labelling is intended to inform German delivery staff about the weight at an early stage so that they can use suitable lifting and carrying aids and thus prevent injuries.

Act now to stay compliant with the law

The 2025 German Postal Act introduces new standards for the shipping and logistics sector, making industrial scales a critical tool for ensuring compliance. Staying ahead of these changes is essential to maintaining operational efficiency, reducing errors, avoiding fines, and optimizing your logistics processes.

Don’t let the new regulations catch you off guard! Contact us today to explore Gram Group’s full range of solutions designed to prepare your operations to stay compliant with the law. If you are ordering from Germany, see our german distributor Waagenet.