Left with the neighbours? Parcels in Germany and the 'Paket für Sie' card

November, the season of parcels

From Black Friday at the end of November right up to Christmas, this is when Germany does the most online shopping. And if you've just arrived, there's a moment that catches almost everyone out: the app says "delivered", but there's no box at your door. In Germany, couriers rarely just leave parcels on the doorstep. If nobody answers, the usual thing is to leave it with a neighbour (der Nachbar) or take it to a nearby parcel locker or parcel shop.

First, check the card in your letterbox

If the courier comes and nobody's home, they drop a small card (die Benachrichtigungskarte) into your letterbox (der Briefkasten). It tells you where your parcel is: for example, "bei Ihrem Nachbarn" (with your neighbour) next to the neighbour's name, or the address of a parcel shop (der Paketshop) or locker. Often the courier company also lets you know by app or email. That's why it really matters in Germany to put your name on your letterbox and your doorbell. Without a name, a parcel may simply be sent back.

Should you take in a neighbour's parcel?

Taking in parcels for your neighbours is completely normal in Germany. When the doorbell rings and the courier asks "Würden Sie ein Paket für Ihre Nachbarn annehmen?" (Would you take a parcel for your neighbours?), just say yes if you have the time. It isn't an obligation, so saying no is fine too. When you go to collect a parcel a neighbour took in for you, bring the card and say with a smile: "Sie haben ein Paket für mich angenommen, oder?" (You took in a parcel for me, didn't you?) Some people say thank you with a small bar of chocolate. Quite a few neighbourly friendships start exactly like this.

Good to do	Better avoid
Take in a neighbour's parcel and keep it safe	Opening a parcel you're holding, or keeping it for ages
Bring the card and collect it the same day or the next	Ringing the doorbell late at night
Say thank you (Danke fürs Annehmen!)	Assuming your neighbour will always take it in

Parcel lockers and parcel shops

If you'd rather not rely on your neighbours, there are other options. The yellow parcel lockers (die Packstation) you see at stations and outside supermarkets open with an app, so you can pick up your parcel even at night. Many small shops, such as kiosks and stationery shops, also work as parcel shops. When you collect from a parcel shop or a post office branch, bring the card and your ID (der Ausweis). How long they keep it depends on the company and the place, so always check the date on the card or in the app. After that, the parcel goes back to the sender.

Setting it up in advance makes life easier

If you sign up with a courier's app or website, you can choose a preferred neighbour or a safe place (der Ablageort) in advance, such as "Garage" or "Terrasse" (patio). But if a parcel left there goes missing, it can be unclear who's responsible, so only pick somewhere safe. This winter, that little card in your letterbox might just be your chance to say hello to the neighbours.

Today's German words

Word	Meaning
das Paket	parcel, package
der Nachbar / die Nachbarin	neighbour (m/f)
die Benachrichtigungskarte	(delivery) notification card
die Packstation	parcel locker
der Paketshop	parcel shop
ein Paket annehmen	to take in a parcel (for someone)

Ein Paket für Sie! — Happy parcel hunting! 📦