News overview

Tips for parcel shipping

Parcel senders can help to protect the health of all concerned as well as possible even during the coronavirus pandemic.

As most shops have closed during the crisis, many items are only available online. Both the sender and the recipient therefore raise the question of whether parcels can be infected with the coronavirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) gives the all clear in this regard: transmission is by droplet infection from person to person. According to the WHO, other transmission routes are very unlikely.

Nevertheless, online shops can do a lot to make parcel shipping as low-risk as possible: Commercial senders can help by informing their customers about contactless delivery: At present, the recipient can issue a signature release authorisation for parcels sent with GLS (in writing and in advance) or - via the FlexDeliveryService or the notification card - simply online for individual parcels. The parcels are then deposited contactless in a previously determined, secure location, such as the stairwell or garden. If shops offer the ShopDeliveryService, recipients can send the parcels also directly to a Cubee ParcelLocker for contactless delivery.

The closure of many businesses means that the support of the sender is also necessary for B2B shipments. Senders should ensure as proactively as possible that the locations of delivery are open and parcels can be accepted.

Additionally, companies and shops can post a notice on the entrance door indicating where parcels can be delivered.

Signature release authorisation

GLS recommends contactless delivery

For the best possible protection of the recipients’ and delivery drivers’ health, GLS recommends contactless delivery.

In order to avoid a direct physical encounter with the delivery driver, parcel recipients can give GLS a written permission for contactless delivery – the so-called signature release authorisation.
The driver leaves the parcel at a location that is precisely defined by the recipient and accessible to him.
The release authorisation can be downloaded here .
Recipients can chose between a one-off or a general signature release authorisation.

In addition, recipients can also issue permission for contactless delivery for individual parcels online via the FlexDeliveryService or via redirection after they have received the notification card. Simply enter the package number or Track ID, select delivery options and specify a location in the appropriate box.

If there is no release authorisation and the recipient doesn’t want to sign off, the delivery driver exceptionally documents with his own signature – and the full name of the addressee – that the recipient has been encountered and the shipment has been handed over correctly. In the current situation, this is regarded as proper proof of delivery.

Everyone who sends their parcels directly to one of the 170 Cubee Parcellockers via the FlexDeliveryService or the ShopDeliveryService always benefits from contactless delivery.