The biggest pain point of online shopping in Germany: you're at work or class during the day, the delivery arrives when you're not home, and the courier leaves a pickup slip that sends you to a distant post office. Packstation solves this — it's a 24/7 self-service parcel locker, with stations in almost every Berlin neighborhood. Register once, use it forever.
Registration Process (One-Time)
- Download the DHL Paket App (App Store / Google Play) and create an account.
- In the app, go to "Packstation activation" and enter your name and address.
- DHL will send a letter to your registered address containing your PostNummer (your permanent Packstation ID code).
- Enter the PostNummer in the app to complete activation.
From application to activation takes about one week. Once activated, when shopping online, enter the address of your nearest Packstation plus your PostNummer as the delivery address. The courier will place the parcel in a locker, and the app will send you a pickup notification.
Picking Up Parcels
Open the DHL App → find the relevant parcel → scan the Packstation QR code or enter the pickup code → the locker door pops open. Parcels are stored for up to 9 business days; after that, they are returned to the sender.
Some newer Packstations support NFC tap-to-open via the app — just hold your phone near the locker for faster access.
Sending Parcels with Packstation
You can also use Packstation to send packages: buy a shipping label in the app (enter weight and dimensions), print and attach it to your parcel, find a Packstation with free lockers, scan to open a locker, and drop it in. Perfect for avoiding post office queues.
Pickup Points for Other Carriers
- Hermes: Pick up at Hermes Paketshops (often in kiosks, tobacco shops, or stationery stores).
- DPD / GLS / UPS: Each has partner pickup points; DPD allows you to search for locations on their website.
When shopping online, if you know which carrier the seller uses, check nearby pickup points in advance as a backup plan for when you're not home.
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