Because of the corona virus, people worldwide have to live with many restrictions. What about the delivery services? Will my parcels still be delivered?
- Exit restrictions due to the corona virus cause uncertainty in Germany.
- Many people now order online , but ask themselves: are my packages being delivered?
- We have summarized how Amazon, DHL, Hermes & Co. deal with the situation.
Because of the corona virus *, exit restrictions apply throughout Germany, which keep leaving your own four walls to a minimum. Going to the supermarket, to the doctor or to work is still allowed. However, if you want to go to the electronics trade or the hardware store, you will find closed doors in many places. No wonder that many consumers now want to order the bare minimum online. But are the delivery services still delivering parcels as normal?
Corona virus: This is how shipping now runs via Deutsche Post DHL
As Deutsche Post DHL explains on its website, there are no significant restrictions on services in Germany . When shipping internationally, however, customers would have to be prepared for delays or restrictions. Parcel shipments to China, Hong Kong and Macau, for example, cannot currently be carried out - letters can still be sent.
There are further changes in the acceptance and delivery of consignments : At the moment parcels and registered delivery are not signed by the recipient. The deliverers document the successful delivery with their own signature. In addition, Deutsche Post DHL recommends that customers specify a storage location * for the parcel or address it directly to packing stations in order to keep contact to a minimum.
Amazon prioritizes products with high demand
As an Amazon spokesman for the British Independent explained, the online mail order giant is currently concentrating on drugs or products with high demand . Other products from independent retailers are temporarily no longer to be accepted: "We will temporarily prioritize household goods, medical care and other high-demand products in our order centers so that we can receive, refill and ship them faster," it says.
In Italy and France, Amazon is even limited to essential goods such as baby products, health and household products, food, personal care and beauty products, as well as industrial, scientific and pet supplies. So far there are no signs that the online retailer in Germany will do the same.
As far as the delivery itself is concerned, many Amazon parcels are sent via Deutsche Post DHL, Hermes, UPS or PIN. The handover to the recipient will probably take place here according to the current guidelines of the respective delivery service. As for Amazon's own delivery service Amazon Logistics, a spokesman told our editorial team: "We have changed the delivery to ensure a safe distance between drivers and customers for deliveries."
Corona virus: How Hermes adapts to the current situation
Hermes currently has no restrictions or delays in shipping parcels within Germany . However, delays could occur on intra-European transport routes due to border controls. There are currently no transports to Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Cyprus and Greece.
Parcels could continue to be delivered to the front door and without personal contact by giving customers a preferred location. The delivery service also wants to offer receipt of the shipment by photo verification by Tuesday 24 March at the latest, so that the signature on the scanner is not required. Hermes also assumes that 70 to 80 percent of the parcel shops will remain open as they are integrated in facilities for primary care. However, there could be queues here why customers should avoid close contact. Closed parcel shops will no longer be displayed in the parcel shop finder functions until April 30th.
Also interesting : Packaging delusion: Why are packages from Amazon & Co. always too big?
DPD takes these precautions with regard to the corona virus
DPD also explains that there are no known restrictions on parcel shipping within Germany. Parcel shipments to other European countries will continue to be carried out, however, there may also be delays due to border controls - especially for parcels from or to France, Italy, Austria or Poland.
When delivering parcels, DPD also refrains from personally acknowledging and points out that small, flat parcels that fit in the mailbox are stored there. Parcel recipients can also issue a parking ok so that the deliverer * can place the parcel in the garage, in the garden shed or in front of the apartment door without customer contact.
The delivery and collection of parcels in the DPD parcel shop network is temporarily suspended until it has been clarified with the shop operators which locations can still be used. The delivery options "Desired Parcel Shop" and "Desired Neighbor" are also currently not available.
Shipping via GLS in times of corona virus
Upon request from the T-Online news portal, GLS also points out that goods from abroad can have longer delivery times due to border controls. In addition, according to its own statements, the company reacts flexibly to changes in local conditions in Germany if areas, roads or locations are closed.
When delivering the parcels, the delivery service is currently relying on reduced contacts and handing out the consignment to recipients without a signature . Instead, the deliverer documents with his own signature that the shipment was successfully completed. In addition, customers can give the delivery service a parking permit and define a location where the package can be stored.
Read also : DHL, Hermes & Co in the test: Which delivery service is good for something?
New forms of delivery: This is how parcels land at the recipient
To the photo gallery
* Merkur.de is part of the nationwide Ippen-Digital editors network.
