Pony shipping from Germany, rules have been changed!

[Tiara546]

Hello folks,

I have gotten myself into trouble (a bit) and would like others to be prevented from that. The issue is, the German mail does not allow ponies to be sent by letter post anymore, only documents. The new rules apply since new year's eve, without any warning...
This applies to any private seller, people with a business would be able to register an account with the "Deutsche Post" and send their ponies for even a little less than before, as long as they ship five international shipments in the same quarter of the year.

This means, any private person who sells a pony on Ebay right now without knowing this has to pay the difference in postage from 6,20 euros to ~18 Euros uninsured (small parcel) or ~35 Euros insured (regular parcel)  in order to complete their side of the deal.

Corrected info by Libelle (lower down in this thread):

Shipping costs for anything up to 2 kg:

within Europe without tracking => 10.30 USD (9 EUR) with DHL
within Europe with tracking => 12.40 USD (10.79 EUR) with Hermes
within Europe with tracking => 13.20 USD (11.50 EUR) with DHL

worldwide without tracking => 18.35 USD (16 EUR) with DHL
worldwide with tracking => 23 USD (20 EUR) with DHL

Happily, my buyer is relaxed and gives me the time I need to find a solution for this, as I do have a couple of ideas in mind.
Well, you are aware now, take care.

[lovesbabysquirmy]

Thanks for the info

[kellyponyfeathers]

Oh no! Does that mean no more Brief International Einschreiben?

[Tiara546]

Kellyponyfeathers, exactly. As I said, there is some sort of an equivalence (to some extent), but it is reserved for commercial/professional use. Packages with ponies and sweets and a letter and tracked shipping would only be possible with a regular parcel for 35 euros. "Gift" sendings among community members would be a problem as well.

[Ringlets]

That sounds like a pain!        thanks for letting us know 

[Taffeta]

There's something sneaky about making private sellers bear the burden of commercial shipping expenses to give businesses a break.

It's like ebay and their power sellers. Sigh.

Although pricey shipping seems to be the norm right now. I had to send a letter to Germany this morning - a proper letter, not a parcel - and it cost around £1.50 just to send that. I used to pay less than that to send a letter or card to America. We're still in the EU for now so why has it gotten so expensive?

I will be checking Royal Mail to see if this sneaky tactic is going to appear here as well. Parcelforce already did something similar with volumetric weight to make it more expensive to ship items even if they are light - but thus far Royal Mail have more or less behaved...

Thanks for the heads up. If customs duties come into force at the end of March (I am eternally preparing inside for a no deal because our government are all so so stupid) then buying from Germany is going to be a bit tricky for a while to come. Esp. with the £ as it is.

[Tiara546]

Taffeta, all that shipping stuff works best with friends. I'm always trying to find agreements with people to help each other...

also, for shipments from Germany to the UK or inside Europe there is still the "Hermes" company which wasn't interesting before due to the possibility of sending letter post. But from now on, and as far as inner-european shipping is concerned, that would probably be the best option, except people find and create structures in order for the community to get their hands on the business shipping option, and there is different ways to do so.
The real problem without any structures created is overseas shipping to the US and the rest of the world. 

[Libelle]

The new rules apply since new year's eve, without any warning...

I was completely shocked when I read your post, I had no idea whatsoever! I spent the past six hours searching the web for solutions, but haven't come up with anything useful. Here are the new prices in detail ...

Shipping costs for anything up to 2 kg:

within Europe without tracking => 10.30 USD (9 EUR) with DHL
within Europe with tracking => 12.40 USD (10.79 EUR) with Hermes

worldwide without tracking => 18.35 USD (16 EUR) with DHL
worldwide with tracking => 23 USD (20 EUR) with DHL

[Nella]

Seems the German shipping options follow what we have in the Netherlands. I've never been able to send a pony in an envelope.

[Tiara546]

I see... so there is a smaller registered parcel option available now after all. They did a few changements on that in the past for parcels sent inside Germany, probably because of the competitor Hermes' success. Thank you Libelle for that additional info. You did really well. 

[Einhornbaby]

The new rules apply since new year's eve, without any warning...

I was completely shocked when I read your post, I had no idea whatsoever! I spent the past six hours searching the web for solutions, but haven't come up with anything useful. Here are the new prices in detail ...

Shipping costs for anything up to 2 kg:

within Europe without tracking => 10.30 USD (9 EUR) with DHL
within Europe with tracking => 12.40 USD (10.79 EUR) with Hermes

worldwide without tracking => 18.35 USD (16 EUR) with DHL
worldwide with tracking => 23 USD (20 EUR) with DHL

Libelle, can you link to the page where you found that? Or maybe you have the exakt name of the exact product? Id like to take a note so I know what to tell our post office girl when bringing in a package

[Tiara546]

For me too, please. I just checked the DHL online page and still can't find any insured shipping option to the US for less than 37(!) Euros. :-/
https://www.dhl.de/de/privatkunden/preise/preise-international.html

[Taffeta]

I can only speak for Hermes in the UK but there have been very mixed experiences with this company - some people have absolutely no problem with Hermes who deliver fine and on time. Others have had stuff shoved in wheelie bins or thrown over fences or whatever. So while it's a solution, it may be that it depends a lot on the buyer and what these kinds of services are like in their area.

[lovesbabysquirmy]

Yes all the postage services on this side of the pond have also risen...

[Libelle]

Libelle, can you link to the page where you found that? Or maybe you have the exakt name of the exact product?

DHL Päckchen International, Hinzubuchbare Services: Versicherung bis 50 Euro und Sendungsverfolgung
Hermes XS-Paket International

For me too, please. I just checked the DHL online page and still can't find any insured shipping option to the US for less than 37(!) Euros. :-/
https://www.dhl.de/de/privatkunden/preise/preise-international.html

See the link above!

I can only speak for Hermes in the UK but there have been very mixed experiences with this company - some people have absolutely no problem with Hermes who deliver fine and on time. Others have had stuff shoved in wheelie bins or thrown over fences or whatever. So while it's a solution, it may be that it depends a lot on the buyer and what these kinds of services are like in their area.

DHL is only marginally more expensive than Hermes. Here is an updated list including both options.

Shipping costs for anything up to 2 kg:

within Europe without tracking => 10.30 USD (9 EUR) with DHL
within Europe with tracking => 12.40 USD (10.79 EUR) with Hermes
within Europe with tracking => 13.20 USD (11.50 EUR) with DHL

worldwide without tracking => 18.35 USD (16 EUR) with DHL
worldwide with tracking => 23 USD (20 EUR) with DHL