Want to ship packages abroad? Smart move, because cross-border e-commerce is booming! More and more consumers shop across borders, which is why online retailers increasingly choose to sell internationally too.

But what's the best way to get your package to the customer? In this article, we cover all our international shipping options. That way, you can always pick the best shipping option for both your customer and your webshop.

Shipping packages abroad with PostNL, DHL, UPS & DPD

When you ship packages abroad, you can choose from several shipping options and carriers. Which one suits you best depends on things like:

• The destination you're shipping to

• The weight and size of the package

• The total value of the package

• When the package needs to be delivered

PostNL, DHL, UPS, and DPD all offer different shipping options for sending packages abroad. Each option has its own advantages and requirements. We'll cover both European and worldwide shipments.

Shipping options within Europe

When you want to ship a package from the Netherlands to a country within the EU, you can choose from the following shipping options:

• PostNL Abroad

• PostNL Packets

• DHL Parcel Connect (via pick-up or drop-off)

• DHL Europlus

• DHL GLOBALMAIL

• UPS Standard

• UPS Access Points

• DPD Home (via pick-up or parcelshop)

• DPD Pick-up points

Shipping options for worldwide packages

When you ship outside Europe, you need to consider several factors, like customs and Incoterms. There's a lot involved! That's why we wrote a separate article on the 10 essential tips for shipping internationally.

For international shipments, you have the following shipping options:

• PostNL Globalpack

• PostNL Packets

• DHL Express

• DHL GLOBALMAIL

• UPS Express saver

Mail vs. package shipping abroad

If you're shipping products that don't fit through a mail slot, you have no choice but to ship them as a package. You can then choose a standard package shipment (for example via PostNL) or an Express shipment (for example via UPS Express).

If your products fit through a mail slot, or aren't bigger than a shoebox and don't have too high a value, you can go with a cheaper option. In that case, you could choose PostNL Packets or DHL GLOBALMAIL, for example.

In this article, we cover both mail options and package options.

Shipping foreign shipments with insurance

International shipments carry more risk than standard shipments. That's because an international shipment spends more time in transit and is often handled by multiple parties. This is why some international shipping options come with insurance by default.

An even smarter approach is to use a single insurance policy that covers every carrier, letting you set your own insured amount.

Sendcloud Insurance lets you insure for any amount you choose, with faster claims handling.

Calculating weight and dimensions

Wherever you're sending your package, every shipping option comes with requirements you need to keep in mind. The most important ones are dimensions and weight. Below, you'll find an overview of how to calculate these correctly.

Volumetric weight matters most with DHL Express and UPS, since they use tiered shipping methods. After calculating the volumetric weight, compare it to the actual weight of the shipment. The higher weight counts, so that's the value you enter when creating the shipping label.

Shipping options within Europe

The Netherlands is an EU member, which brings several advantages, including for online retailers. It means no customs duties need to be paid when goods are shipped from one EU country to another.

And since customs duties apply to more than 16% of global imports, this can save a lot of money. That keeps it attractive for consumers within the EU to buy from other European webshops, and gives you, as a Dutch webshop, plenty of opportunities to grow your market.

To ship your packages well, fast (and insured), here are the shipping options available for sending packages within Europe:

Shipping abroad with PostNL Abroad

PostNL is the top choice within the Netherlands, but it's also possible to ship within Europe using the PostNL Abroad shipping option. You can use this option for home delivery to consumers as well as delivery to businesses.

PostNL Abroad requirements

• Maximum weight: 23 kg

• Maximum dimensions: 176 x 78 x 58 cm

• Signature on delivery included

• Insurance included up to €500 (60% of sales value)

Shipping abroad with PostNL Packets

For small packages weighing up to 2 kg and valued under €425, you can use PostNL Packets. This applies to packages that fit through a mail slot or aren't bigger than a shoebox.

Here too, you can choose from 3 options: without Track & Trace, with Track & Trace, or with Track & Trace, signature, and limited insurance.

PostNL Packets requirements

Mail slot

• Maximum dimensions: 38 cm × 26.5 cm × 3.2 cm

• Minimum dimensions: 14 cm × 9 cm

• Maximum weight: 2 kg

Package

• Length + width + height: maximum 90 cm

• Maximum length of longest side: 60 cm

• Maximum weight: 2 kg

Shipping abroad with DHL Parcel Connect

DHL Parcel Connect is a European shipping option from DHL for sending packages to consumers. It's available in most EU countries. The service is fast, reliable, and offers several benefits for both your webshop and your customers:

• Signature on delivery included by default

• Neighbor delivery when your customer isn't home

• Delivery Monday through Saturday

• Notification to your customer on the delivery day

• Parcelshop delivery available

DHL Parcel Connect via pick-up requirements

• Maximum weight: 31.5 kg

• Minimum dimensions: 15 x 11 x 1 cm

• Maximum dimensions: 120 x 60 x 60 cm

• Delivery to home or Parcelshop/station

• At least 1 delivery attempt (2nd attempt on the recipient's request)

DHL Parcel Connect via drop-off points requirements

• Maximum weight: 20 kg

• No minimum dimensions

• Maximum dimensions: 80 x 50 x 35 cm (with a maximum volume of 150 liters)

• Delivery to home or Parcelshop/station

• At least 1 delivery attempt (2nd attempt on the recipient's request)

Shipping abroad with DHL Europlus

DHL Europlus is the go-to shipping option for the business market. So if you want to ship packages within Europe to business customers, DHL Europlus is the best fit. That's because delivery times are tailored to your customers' schedules.

Delivery happens between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, with two delivery attempts. If your customer isn't there, which rarely happens at business addresses, the package is delivered to the nearest DHL terminal.

DHL Europlus requirements

• Maximum weight: 31.5 kg

• Minimum dimensions: 15 x 11 x 3.5 cm

• Maximum dimensions: 120 x 60 x 50 cm

• Volumetric weight: max. 250 kg/m³

• Two delivery attempts between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM

• Missed both delivery attempts? Then the package is sent back to the DHL terminal, where your customer can pick it up within 7 days.

Shipping abroad with DHL GLOBALMAIL

For small, lightweight packages with a low value, you can use DHL GLOBALMAIL. This is a joint venture between DHL Express and parent company Deutsche Post. Once you've labeled each package individually, you can put all the shipments together in one large shipping box or bag.

This shipping option is especially convenient when you want to ship a lot of small packages internationally in bulk. To do this, you'll need a DHL GLOBALMAIL waybill to send it to the Deutsche Post Center in Frankfurt. DHL Express offers a free pickup service for this method.

DHL GLOBALMAIL requirements

• Maximum weight: 2 kg

• Minimum dimensions: 14 cm × 9 cm

• Maximum dimensions: length + width + height can't exceed 90 cm

• No single side can exceed 60 cm

• For rolls/tubes: length + 2 x diameter can't exceed 104 cm

Shipping abroad with UPS Standard

United Parcel Service, or UPS, is the largest courier company in the world. UPS offers a wide range of (premium) delivery options, usually with fast delivery and great service.

Mostly shipping smaller packages within the Benelux? Then UPS Standard is your best choice. Thanks to day-specific delivery estimates, your packages reach your customer quickly.

What is UPS's volumetric weight?

UPS pays close attention to volumetric weight. A common mistake is shipping a light package while forgetting that its volumetric weight exceeds the allowed limit. Want to know your package's volumetric weight? Calculate it like this: L x W x H ÷ 5000 = volumetric weight in kg.

UPS Standard requirements

• Maximum weight: 32 kg without extra handling fees

• Maximum volumetric weight: 70 kg

• Maximum dimensions 100 x 76 cm (LxW), maximum girth 300 cm

• Signature on delivery included

In some cases, UPS charges surcharges. For example, you can ship a package weighing up to 70 kg, but extra handling fees will be charged. That's because the package then needs to be lifted by two people.

The maximum girth of 300 cm can be exceeded up to 400 cm, but keep in mind that surcharges apply in this case too.

Shipping abroad with UPS Access Points

Shipping to UPS Access Points (parcelshops) is a popular option within Europe. With this option, you can ship affordably to Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, France, the UK, Denmark, Italy, Spain, Finland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland & Poland.

The longer a shipment takes, the more often consumers choose to have their packages delivered to a nearby location instead. This means packages are delivered successfully almost every time, keeping your customers happy.

It comes with an extra benefit too: you can deliver packages later in the day and even offer Saturday delivery with UPS Access Points. You can proactively add this shipping option to your checkout to boost conversion.

You can do this by installing Sendcloud's location picker. This lets customers choose for themselves which Access Point they want their package delivered to.

UPS Access Points requirements

• Maximum dimensions: 80 cm length / 220 cm girth

• Maximum actual weight: 20 kg

• Maximum volumetric weight: 70 kg

• Signature on delivery included

• Saturday delivery available

Shipping abroad with DPD Home

DPD is a leading carrier known for its efficiency. With no fewer than 800 depots in 40 countries, DPD is an attractive carrier internationally. With DPD Home, you ship packages straight to your customer's door.

You can send packages via a DPD Parcelshop or with a free pickup if you ship 100 packages a month or more via DPD. That's 100 packages a month with a pickup window between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Want a pickup with a scheduled time slot? Then you need to ship at least 300 packages a month.

A major advantage of DPD's network is its short transit times. Packages are delivered within one to three days in the Benelux, Germany, and the UK.

DPD Home parcelshop drop-off requirements

• Maximum girth: 300 cm (1xL + 2xW + 2xH)

• Maximum length: 175 cm, or check DPD's website for the calculator

• Maximum weight: 20 kg (up to 31.5 kg at some parcelshops, so ask to confirm)

• Insurance included up to €520 within Europe

• Signature on delivery and neighbor delivery included

• Saturday delivery at no extra cost

• Predict service included: notification of delivery within a one-hour window

DPD Home via pick-up requirements

• Maximum girth: 300 cm (1xL + 2xW + 2xH)

• Longest side 175 cm

• Maximum weight: 31.5 kg

• Free pickup (from 100 packages a month on route, from 300 packages a month with a time slot)

• Insurance included up to €520 within Europe

• Signature on delivery and neighbor delivery included

• Saturday delivery at no extra cost

• Predict service included: notification of delivery within a one-hour window

Shipping abroad with DPD to Pick-up point

DPD is a major carrier with an extensive network of pick-up points, especially within Europe. Shipping via Sendcloud? Then you can combine DPD Pick-up points with Sendcloud's pickup point picker.

You can ship your packages to pickup points in 16 countries, letting customers decide for themselves where their package gets delivered.

DPD to Pick-up point requirements

• Maximum weight: 20 kg

• Maximum girth: 300 cm (1xL + 2xW + 2xH)

• Longest side: 175 cm

• Insurance included up to €520 within Europe

• Saturday delivery at no extra cost

Want to ship to the UK? Check out our article on that topic, and on the impact of Brexit!

Shipping options for worldwide packages

The internet has no borders, so consumers find it easier than ever to shop worldwide. This means more competition for Dutch retailers, but it also opens up plenty of opportunities.

Shipping packages worldwide is a bit more complex than shipping within the EU, though.

You'll need to deal with customs and account for different delivery times and international rules. It's also often smart to add extra insurance to your package and make sure it's packed securely and shock-resistant.

Before your package arrives abroad, it passes through several sorting machines, storage spaces, and transport vehicles. You have several options for shipping worldwide affordably and quickly. Here's a look at the possibilities:

Shipping abroad with PostNL Globalpack

The biggest advantage of this shipping option is that you can ship worldwide while your packages come insured by default up to €200. This is especially handy since packages headed abroad have to meet a lot of requirements and travel a long way to their final destination.

Shipping with an uninsured option? Then you'll lose both your money and the product if anything goes wrong. That's never advisable, especially not when your package has to travel a long distance.

You can drop off PostNL shipments at any of the 3,000 PostNL service points.

PostNL Globalpack requirements

• Maximum weight: 20 kg

• Maximum dimensions: 100 × 50 × 50 cm

• Maximum girth: 300 cm (2x the height + 2x the width + 1x the longest side of the package)

• Signature on delivery included

• Insurance included up to €200 (60% of sales value)

Shipping abroad with PostNL Packets

Just like you can use PostNL Packets for shipments within Europe, you can also use this option for international shipments. The same rules apply worldwide: small packages weighing up to 2 kg and valued under €425.

Here too, you can choose from 3 options: without Track & Trace, with Track & Trace, or with Track & Trace, signature, and limited insurance.

Good to know: international shipments require a CN22 form. Fortunately, PostNL Packets already has this customs form built in.

PostNL Packets requirements

Mail slot

• Maximum dimensions: 38 cm × 26.5 cm × 3.2 cm

• Minimum dimensions: 14 cm × 9 cm

• Maximum weight: 2 kg

Package

• Length + width + height: maximum 90 cm

• Maximum length of longest side: 60 cm

• Maximum weight: 2 kg

Shipping abroad with DHL Express

DHL Express is a premium shipping option from DHL. Express delivery is a great add-on to your checkout and an extra service for your customer. Thanks to its faster delivery time, packages get delivered on the first attempt more often, making it a valuable addition, especially if you do business internationally.

For worldwide shipments, DHL Express is the fastest option on the market. How long your package actually takes in transit depends on the destination.

DHL Express requirements

• Maximum size: per piece is 120x80x80 (LxWxH)

• Maximum weight: 70 kg per piece

• Maximum volumetric weight: 200 kg per m3 (LxWxH/5000)

• Total shipment can be up to 1,000 kg (pallets excluded)

• Delivery before the end of the next possible business day

• SMS tracking included

• Free pickup

• Extra service for your customers with On Demand Delivery

On Demand Delivery for all your Express shipments

DHL Express includes 'On Demand Delivery' by default. This gives your customer the option to choose flexible delivery preferences as soon as you've shipped the package.

Once your shipment has been handed over to DHL Express, your customer gets a message by SMS and/or email with a link to the On Demand Delivery system.

There, the customer can choose to have it delivered to a pickup point, pick a different delivery date, and more. That way, you offer your customer even more service, without any extra work on your end.

Shipping abroad with DHL GLOBALMAIL

For small, lightweight packages with a low value, you can use DHL GLOBALMAIL. This is a joint venture between DHL Express and parent company Deutsche Post. Once you've labeled each package individually, you can put everything together in one large shipping box or bag.

This shipping option is especially convenient when you want to ship a lot of small packages internationally in bulk. To do this, you'll need a DHL GLOBALMAIL waybill to send it to the Deutsche Post Center in Frankfurt. DHL Express offers a free pickup service for this method.

DHL GLOBALMAIL requirements

• Maximum weight: 2 kg

• Minimum dimensions: 14 cm × 9 cm

• Maximum dimensions: length + width + height can't exceed 90 cm

• No single side can exceed 60 cm

• For rolls/tubes: length + 2 x diameter can't exceed 104 cm

Shipping abroad with UPS Express Saver

Need a package delivered fast and reliably? UPS Express Saver is a great shipping option for that. With UPS Express Saver, the rule is: order today, delivered tomorrow. When you ship your packages with this method, your customer has the package at home sometime the next day.

UPS Express Saver is a solid alternative to same-day delivery or time-slot delivery, options that international consumers increasingly look for too. For shipments outside Europe, delivery typically takes about 2 days on average.

If you regularly ship to the US, for example, this option still gets your package to your customer incredibly fast.

UPS Express Saver requirements

• Maximum weight: 32 kg

• Dimensions: 100 x 76 (LxW)

• Maximum girth: 300 cm

• Maximum volumetric weight: 70 kg

• Pickup service cost varies

In some cases, UPS charges surcharges. For example, you can ship a package weighing up to 70 kg, but extra handling fees will be charged. That's because the package then needs to be lifted by two people.

The maximum girth of 300 cm can be exceeded up to 400 cm, but keep in mind that surcharges apply in this case too. More information about the

Costs of shipping a package abroad

Prices for international package shipments vary widely. They depend on things like the destination, package size, weight, and shipping service.

For example, it depends on whether you choose a mail shipment (like PostNL Packets) or a package shipment (like PostNL Abroad). There's also a difference between a European shipment (like UPS Standard) and an international shipment (like UPS Express).

On top of that, you can pick from various add-on services, such as shipping with Track & Trace, signature on delivery, or insured shipping.

Use our pricing calculator to check which carrier and shipping option is most cost-effective for your webshop.
Check out the shipping calculator

Automatically shipping packages abroad

For some countries, one shipping option is cheaper or faster than another. In that case, you want to be able to pick the best option, and ideally have that happen automatically. Sendcloud's smart shipping rules make this easy.

Curious about the latest prices and want an easy way to compare shipping options? Create a free account!