Business customer glossary
Here we have summarized some important terms for you at a glance.
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The BlackWeek period presents a particular logistical challenge due to the sudden surge in parcel volumes. To cope with these exceptional peaks, additional short-term costs β are incurred.
Find out how to send your book consignments quickly and conveniently straight to your customersβ letterboxes. Discover the Book Goods Shipment option and optimise your shipping process with our practical services!
Business customers can also send large and bulky parcels with us. If these no longer fit into the automatic sorting systems, they are considered bulky goods. Here you can find out where the limits for bulky goods shipping lie and why the additional effort is charged.
Do you regularly send parcels within Germany and are looking for a reliable, fast and scalable system? Then BusinessParcel is your solution. The combination of a nationwide delivery network, short transit times and strong additional services makes BusinessParcel a valuable part of your logistics workflow.
With the CashService, we offer you a special additional feature: upon parcel delivery, we can also collect payment for the goods in cash at your request. This gives your customers an extra payment option and provides you with greater security when shipping your goods. So how does it work exactly?
Experience an efficient and time-saving way to manage your parcel shipments. With our ConsignmentService, you get a solution that guarantees maximum customer satisfaction and seamless delivery. Learn more here.
The export of goods to countries that are not part of the European Union requires customs clearance. Since Brexit, shipping to the United Kingdom is also affected. Find out here how we support you with the transmission of data and documents using the customs portal and our customs interface.
The DeliveryAtWorkService is just one of many services from which you, as our business customer, can benefit. This delivery solution doesnβt end with delivery to a business address β we go one step further for you.
With the DepositService, we deliver your parcels to a secure drop-off location chosen by the recipient on the first delivery attempt. The delivery is made without delivery confirmation and is finalised with the deposit at the desired drop-off location. But how exactly does it work?
The diesel surcharge is a surcharge levied by transport companies to compensate for the effects of fluctuations in crude oil prices on transport costs. What is this surcharge based on?
Always well-informed - important documents to download for GLS customers, including guidelines, templates and manuals.
Dropshipping allows you to sell without having your own warehouse β it's flexible, but with limited control. In this article, we explain exactly what dropshipping means and show why professional fulfilment, e.g. with GLS, is often the better choice for business customers.
From 1 January 2025, the receipt of e-invoices in accordance with DIN EN16931 will be mandatory in the B2B sector in Germany. GLS prepares the receipt and creation of e-invoices. A transitional period until 31 December 2026 still allows PDF or paper invoices. GLS plans to provide you with e-invoices from the first quarter of 2025.
Shipping parcels to customs destinations doesnβt have to be complicated. With our eDeclarationService, we support you in customs processing and create your electronic export declaration. But how do we receive the necessary data for this?
Business shipments to specific destinations are subject to legal sanctions, embargoes and other restrictions that determine what may be shipped. These regulations are essential to avoid legal issues and to comply with international trade standards. You can find all the key information about embargoes and sanctions here.
In their regular invoices, our business customers will find an index-based surcharge for energy costs. This is due to continuous fluctuations in energy prices, which have a significant impact on transport costs. But what is this surcharge based on?
When it comes to international parcel shipping, you as a business customer benefit from our exclusive, Europe-wide parcel network. Our perfectly coordinated long-distance routes and modern parcel distribution centres ensure short standard transit times and reliable deliveries across Europe. Discover the numerous advantages of EuroBusinessParcel now.
With our convenient EuroExpressParcel, we deliver your parcels via express shipping to many European countries β often as early as the next working day! We have summarised your benefits and other useful information for you here.
By using our reliable ExchangeService, you ensure an efficient and direct exchange of goods. This increases customer satisfaction while saving time and costs. How do we achieve that?
If you are a business customer and would like to send your parcels via express delivery, then use our ExpressParcel. With our reliable service, you benefit not only from express features but also from various guaranteed delivery times. Find out more details here!
Our business customers who use the FlexDeliveryService offer their customers numerous advantages. From choosing a preferred delivery date to granting a drop-off authorisation β your customers can choose from a wide range of convenient delivery options.
What is fulfilment? Would you like to know more about fulfilment? Then you've come to the right place. We'll tell you what fulfilment is all about, what fulfilment processes look like and how the topic of fulfilment fits into the overall context of logistics.
The currently valid General Terms and Conditions of the General Logistics Systems Germany GmbH & Co. OHG.
GeoPOD is the delivery standard of GLS Germany. With GeoPOD, parcels are handed over in person, with the name of the recipient noted and the handover documented with geo-coordinates. Customers who wish to have their delivery acknowledged can book the SignatureService. You can find more information here.
Fast and reliable parcel shipping for business customers β to over 160 countries worldwide? That's exactly what our GlobalParcel offers. We deliver your parcels worldwide via service, with short standard delivery times and, if requested, including an electronic export declaration. And what does the GLS Airport Office at Frankfurt Airport have to do with it?
With our environmental strategy GLS Klima Protect, we not only reduce the greenhouse gas emissions generated by parcel shipping, but we also voluntarily invest in certified climate protection projects to offset emissions. Want to know how you can become part of our environmentally conscious delivery system?
Rely on the reliability and quality of GLS transport partners! We only work with partners who meet the highest standards in terms of safety and environmental protection. Read more about how the cooperation works.
Do you want to stand out from the competition and offer your customers delivery the day after they place an order? Then use our Guaranteed24Service. While this service helps to reduce return rates, it simultaneously increases customer satisfaction. Why is that?
With our HazardousGoodsService, you as a business sender can reliably ship hazardous goods within Germany. Our employees have many years of experience and are happy to provide individual advice. Which classes of hazardous goods are permitted for shipment and which are not?
Do you ship goods that require age or identity verification? Then the IdentPINService from GLS is the perfect solution. With our IT-supported authentication process, your parcel will only be handed over to the authorised recipient β and only after successful PIN entry. Curious how the IdentPINService works at GLS?
All goods that you import from a non-EU country must be cleared through customs. It is therefore important to clarify a few points in advance.
Are you looking for a reliable partner for your procurement logistics? With our InboundService, you enjoy maximum flexibility and full control over all processes. Find out more about the additional advantages our service offers here!
With our IntercompanyService, we offer you an attractive solution for sending parcels back and forth between different locations of your company. You save time and money because we combine collection and delivery! Find out here how we further optimise the shipping process.
With the international ShopReturnService from GLS, you can offer your customers a flexible and simple solution for returns abroad. Parcels can be conveniently handed in at a GLS Parcel Shop. Would you like to find out more about the international ShopRetrunService?
An island surcharge applies to shipments to German islands in the North Sea and Baltic Sea. Learn how this additional shipping cost affects delivery times and services.
When passing through our sorting centres, parcels are automatically measured by calibrated volume scanners and classified according to defined threshold values. Find out here how we calculate large parcels and their volume.
Do you send small goods, mailings, catalogues or books? Then make use of our convenient LetterboxService. We reliably deliver your shipments, with generous maximum dimensions and a high maximum weight, directly into the recipientβs letterbox. What are the exact limits in detail?
Our multi-carrier returns solution enables your customers to hand in their returns to different shipping service providers. This offers maximum flexibility and enables efficient returns processing. How exactly can you benefit from this?
If you want to offer your customers a fast and free returns solution, the ShopReturnService is perfect. Your customer can simply drop off the parcel at a GLS Parcel Shop of their choice. This flexibility can significantly increase customer satisfaction. And where does your customer get the parcel label for the return?
NB Item stands for "non-belt-capable shipment". This refers to consignments that cannot be sorted automatically, for example due to inadequate packaging. Manual sorting, which is labour-intensive, is required. A surcharge is therefore applied in the invoice in addition to the shipping price. You can find out where the limits lie and why the extra effort is charged using practical examples here.
With us, you can easily send oversized parcels β even abroad. However, there is an upper limit for parcel length that must not be exceeded. What exactly is this limit?
With the PharmaService, we offer you a GDP-compliant pharmaceutical shipping service. The transport of medical products is not only safe and hygienic but also fast and reliable. And only the intended recipient will receive the parcel! Find out here what measures we take and whether an express option is available.
Optimise your returns management with our Pick&ReturnService! Parcels are collected from any address on the date of your choice, even from private customers, and returned directly to you. This not only speeds up your internal processes, but also makes returns particularly convenient for your customers.
Thanks to our Pick&ShipService, we collect parcels from an address of your choice and deliver them directly to the intended recipient. This not only saves a lot of time but also significantly reduces costs, as you avoid storage fees. Find out here who benefits most from this service.
Thanks to GLS Real Time Tracking (RTT), recipients can see exactly where their parcels are on the day of delivery. Improve planning reliability for recipients and increase customer satisfaction - because transparency creates trust.
Drop off a return parcel β fast, simple and efficient: With GLS services, returns can be handled optimally. Discover how flexible solutions can improve your returns processes, reduce costs and at the same time enhance service for your customers.
To stand out from other shops when selling online, buyer-friendly return solutions are essential. The more options you offer your customers, the higher the chance of achieving high customer satisfaction. Create and organise your individual returns strategy with us.
Send a parcel that reaches your customer on the very same day: with the SameDayService, this is already possible in selected German cities. Find out which cities are included and how this service can take your customer satisfaction to the next level!
If you want to offer your customers the maximum range of delivery options, our SaturdayService is just what you need. As part of our express shipping options, we deliver parcels on Saturdays on request β and you can even choose between different delivery times! Does this also apply to international shipping?
Like many industries, parcel shipping is subject to seasonal fluctuations. Especially during the peak seasons in spring and autumn, additional personnel, vehicle and infrastructure capacity must be made available at short notice. This additional expenditure is passed on to the shipper on a pro rata basis. When is the season and how does the extra work come about?
During the tyre season periods from 1 March to 31 May and from 8 September to 12 December, the surcharge "Tyre season" is applied in accordance with the current price list. These dates mark the peak periods for switching between summer and winter tyres β resulting in especially high shipping volumes within the parcel network. Would you like to learn more about the seasonal conditions for tyre shipping?
Parcel delivery to a GLS Parcelshop offers maximum flexibility for the recipient. The recipient can choose which Parcelshop their parcel should be delivered to. Can it get any better? Yes! Our ShopDeliveryService is also available in selected international locations.
For customers who require proof of delivery, GLS Germany offers the SignatureService. This service is only available for BusinessParcel shipments and can be requested through your designated GLS contact person. Further information can be found here.
The standard delivery time indicates how long it usually takes for your parcel to reach the recipient. For domestic shipping within Germany, we need only 24 hours. But what about international parcel shipping?
Enhance your express delivery with a scheduled delivery option. With the TimeDefiniteService, we not only deliver your parcel on the next working day β you also have the option to specify a delivery time. This scheduling certainty ensures a high level of customer satisfaction. What delivery times are available?
Vehicles over 7.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight are subject to toll charges for freight transport in Germany. This means additional costs in the form of toll fees for all parcel delivery providers. So, what does the term βToll Trafficβ mean on the invoices we issue to our business customers?
According to the German VAT law, deliveries within the European Union are generally exempt from VAT.
We are also happy to support you with professional tyre/wheel logistics as your partner for shipping tyres for cars, e-bikes, bicycles or motorbikes. our service goes one step further β we even collect the shipments from you. find out here what to consider when shipping tyres!