Post Office Guide for Aachen: How to Send Mail & Pick Up Parcels

Sending mail and picking up parcels in Aachen is handled almost entirely by Deutsche Post and DHL, with a network of branches, kiosk pickup points, and yellow Packstation lockers across the city. A standard domestic letter (Standardbrief, up to 20 g) costs €0.95 as of 2026; a small DHL parcel within Germany starts at around €4.99. The main Hauptpost branch is on Kapuzinergraben in the city center.

Where to Send Mail in Aachen

You have several options:

• Deutsche Post Filialen (branches): Full-service branches, often inside supermarkets or shops. The main branch (Hauptpost) is at Kapuzinergraben 19, near Elisenbrunnen. Use the Filialfinder to find the nearest one.
• Yellow post boxes (Briefkasten): For stamped letters only. Found on most major street corners — collection times are printed on the box. Letters posted before the listed cut-off (often 5 PM) are processed the same day.
• Kiosk partners: Many small kiosks act as DHL or Hermes pickup/drop-off points and sell stamps. Look for the yellow Deutsche Post or red DHL signs.
• Packstationen: 24/7 self-service yellow lockers for picking up and sending DHL parcels. You need a free DHL account and the Post & DHL app. Locations include Hauptbahnhof, Aquis Plaza, and many supermarket car parks.

Common Postal Prices (as of 2026)

• Standardbrief (letter up to 20 g, within Germany): €0.95
• Kompaktbrief (up to 50 g): €1.10
• Großbrief (up to 500 g): €1.80
• Maxibrief (up to 1 kg): €2.90
• DHL Päckchen S (within Germany, up to 2 kg): €4.99
• DHL Paket up to 5 kg (within Germany): €6.99

Always confirm current prices on the Deutsche Post pricing page before sending.

Post Office Etiquette & Procedures

1. Take a Number and Wait Your Turn

If the post office uses a numbering system, take a number and patiently wait for your turn. This helps maintain order and ensures everyone is served efficiently. If there's no numbering system, form a single, orderly line and avoid cutting in line or crowding counters.

2. Be Prepared with the Correct Forms and Documents

Before approaching the counter, make sure you have all the necessary forms and documents ready. This will speed up your transaction and reduce wait times for others. For international shipping, confirm whether customs forms are required and fill them out accurately. Customs forms (CN22/CN23) are required for any parcel sent outside the EU.

3. Address Formatting and Envelope Preparation

Standard Address Placement in Germany

• Traditionally, the sender's address (Absender) is placed in the top left corner of the envelope, either on the front or on the back flap. Both placements are accepted, but the top left on the front is most common for business and formal correspondence.
• The recipient's address (Empfänger) should be written in the lower right section of the envelope. This is the designated area for postal machines to read addresses efficiently.
• Use capital letters or print for clarity, and place stamps in the top right corner of the envelope. Double-check that you've used the correct postage amount based on weight and destination.

Standard German Address Format

Recipient Name
Street Name + Number
Postal Code + City
COUNTRY (only for international mail)

For example, an Aachen city-centre address looks like:

Max Mustermann
Pontstraße 50
52062 Aachen
GERMANY

Special Case: Window Envelopes (Mit Fenster)

• Window Envelopes: For envelopes with a transparent window (Fensterumschlag), the recipient's address must appear in a specific position on the letter itself, so that it is visible through the window when folded and inserted. The sender's address is usually printed smaller above the recipient's address or in the letterhead, so it also appears in the window if necessary.
• No Separate Writing on Envelope: With window envelopes, you do not write the addresses directly on the envelope. Instead, you format the letter so the recipient's address aligns with the window, following DIN 5008 standards.

4. Respect Collection Deadlines

Be aware of cut-off times for same-day processing if using post boxes or dropping off mail at a post office. Typically, letters posted by 5 PM on working days are processed that day. Saturday collection cut-offs are earlier (often noon), and there is no Sunday collection or delivery in Germany.

5. Use Polite Language and Avoid Rushing the Staff

Treat post office staff with respect and courtesy. Use polite language when asking for assistance, such as:

• Entschuldigung (Excuse me)
• Könnten Sie mir bitte helfen? (Can you please help me?)
• Ich möchte ein Paket abholen, bitte. (I would like to pick up a parcel, please.)

Avoid rushing them, as they are there to assist you with your needs.

6. Ask for Assistance When Needed

If you're unsure about forms, postage options, or delivery times, don't hesitate to ask staff for help. They are usually happy to assist if approached politely. Many staff at the Hauptpost on Kapuzinergraben understand basic English.

7. Express Gratitude

Thank staff for their assistance with phrases like Vielen Dank für Ihre Hilfe (Thank you for your help). Showing appreciation is considered polite and is always appreciated in Germany.

8. Handling Packages

If picking up a package, bring your notification slip (Benachrichtigungskarte) and a valid photo ID (passport, residence permit, or German ID card). Without ID the staff cannot release your parcel — there are no exceptions, even at small kiosk pickup points.

In addition to post offices, many small kiosks and shops function as package pickup points and offer other postal services like stamp sales and mail drop-off. See our kiosks guide for more.

If you missed a delivery, you can also use the DHL track & trace tool to redirect your parcel to a Packstation or a different pickup point.

9. Using Post Boxes

Letters can also be posted in Deutsche Post's yellow post boxes, which are widely available throughout Aachen. Make sure to check the collection times displayed on the box to avoid delays. Each box has two slots: one for local Aachen mail, one for everywhere else — sort your envelopes accordingly. Alternatively, small kiosks and shops often serve as postal service points, offering stamp sales, mail drop-off, and package pickup services.

10. Be Patient During Peak Hours

Post offices can be busy during lunch hours or before holidays. Plan your visit accordingly and remain patient if there are delays. Quietest times in Aachen branches are typically Tuesday–Thursday between 9–11 AM and 2–4 PM.

11. Special Cases for Expats

• Returns: German online shopping returns are usually free with a prepaid DHL label. Drop off at any DHL Paketshop or Packstation.
• Receiving parcels at a packstation: Use your personal Postnummer (free DHL account) plus a one-time PIN sent to the app. Parcels sit in the locker for up to 7 working days.
• Sending mail abroad: Always include the destination country in capitals on the last line of the address and use enough postage. International letters cost more (€1.10 EU, €1.70 worldwide for standard letters as of 2026).
• Receiving mail before you have an address: You can use Postlagernd (poste restante) at the Hauptpost branch for short-term general delivery — useful while you wait for your Anmeldung.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where is the main post office in Aachen?

The main Deutsche Post branch (Hauptpost) is at Kapuzinergraben 19, 52062 Aachen. Smaller branches are often inside kiosks and shops across the city.

How much does it cost to send a letter from Aachen?

A standard domestic letter (Standardbrief, up to 20 g) costs €0.95 as of 2026. A standard EU letter is €1.10, and a worldwide standard letter is €1.70. DHL Päckchen S within Germany starts at €4.99.

How do I pick up a DHL parcel in Aachen?

Bring your notification slip (Benachrichtigungskarte) and a valid photo ID to the listed branch, kiosk, or Packstation. For Packstationen you need the free DHL Post & DHL app and your Postnummer to receive a one-time PIN.

Are post offices in Aachen open on Sundays?

No. All Deutsche Post branches are closed on Sundays under German shop-opening law. Packstationen are accessible 24/7, but no parcels are processed or delivered on Sundays.

How do I send mail abroad from Aachen?

Take your letter or parcel to any Deutsche Post branch. There, the staff will weigh it, calculate postage.

What is a Packstation and how do I use one?

A Packstation is a 24/7 self-service yellow locker for sending and receiving DHL parcels. You need a free DHL account, your Postnummer, and the Post & DHL app. There are dozens around Aachen.