That is why you will soon need them less often
From July 2021, we will be faced with a change that will cause double problems: The duty-free limit for goods from outside the EU will be canceled. This means that higher prices when shopping online and the DHL Packstations are suddenly less practical than before.
Duty-free limit falls: a blow for users of DHL Packstations
July 1st is a change that will affect many consumers: If you shop online and have the goods sent by post or parcel service, you have to pay particular attention to the country of origin of your order. Because from July the exemption limit for import sales tax will no longer apply on shipments from countries outside the EU. Previously, this was only due from a goods value of 22 euros, from July 1, 2021, 19 or 7 percent tax will also be due for smaller amounts – depending on the goods.
If you order goods online from China, the USA or Great Britain after this date, you usually have to pay the outstanding amount upon delivery, when the parcel carrier rings your doorbell. Online shopping is therefore becoming more expensive for many customers. As if that wasn’t annoying enough, you can do it too no longer use the DHL Packstations. The parcel service of Deutsche Post has actually set up a practical network of pick-up stations where you can pick up your parcel at any time. The problem: paying tax doesn’t work there.
If you don’t wait for your package, but send one yourself, there are a few things to consider. You can find a few practical hacks in the Video:
Home delivery or collection at the post office
Conversely, this means that if you order something from non-EU countries, you can no longer use DHL’s packing stations. Like the consumer portal Package da Explained in detail, the problem already exists with more expensive shipments. In the future, dutiable parcels, i.e. all from outside the EU, will no longer be placed in packing stations. Either you are at home when the delivery is made and you can pay, or you have to pick up your items at a post office as before.
A possible alternative could be so-called post offices, in which DHL and Deutsche Post want to offer practically all the services of a branch. However, these are only being tested at a few locations. DHL also offers online payment in advance. Customers should receive a message with the necessary information. We have summarized other things that will change from July in our article for you.
