German for Sending a Package at the Post Office: Say 'Ich möchte dieses Paket nach ... schicken'
Learn to send a package at a German post office: say where it's going, choose shipping options, and handle insurance, tracking, and payment.
By SofiaGetting around · Yapr Learn
Sending a package in German requires more than one sentence. You need to state the destination, choose a shipping speed, decide on insurance and tracking, and answer questions about contents and value. This lesson focuses on the core phrase 'Ich möchte dieses Paket nach ... schicken' and the vocabulary and patterns you need to complete the transaction. You will practice standard German used at Deutsche Post and DHL counters, with notes on regional and register differences where they matter.
By the end, you can…
- say where I want to send a package using 'Ich möchte dieses Paket nach ... schicken.'
- ask about and choose between shipping options such as 'Standard', 'Express', 'versichert' and 'Sendungsverfolgung'.
- answer typical counter questions about contents, value, and whether the package contains dangerous goods.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Ich möchte dieses Paket nach Österreich schicken.
I'd like to send this package to Austria.
ikh MERKH-tuh DEE-zuhs pah-KET nakh UH-ster-rykh SHIK-en
Core pattern: 'nach' + country or city. Use 'in die' + country with an article, e.g. 'in die Schweiz', 'in die USA'.
Was kostet der Versand nach Kanada?
How much does shipping to Canada cost?
vas KOS-tet dair fer-ZANT nakh ka-NA-da
Asks for the shipping price. 'Versand' is the standard noun for shipping; 'Porto' is also used but often refers to postage stamps.
Ich brauche eine Sendungsverfolgung.
I need tracking.
ikh BROW-khuh EYE-nuh ZEN-doongs-fer-FOL-goong
Use when you want a tracking number. DHL often calls this 'Sendungsverfolgung'; the verb is 'verfolgen'.
Ist das Paket versichert?
Is the package insured?
ist das pah-KET fer-ZIKH-ert
Ask about insurance coverage. Standard packages are insured up to a certain amount; additional insurance is 'Transportversicherung'.
Es enthält nur Bücher und Kleidung.
It contains only books and clothing.
es ent-HAYLT noor BOO-kher oont KLY-doong
Useful when declaring contents. 'enthalten' means 'to contain'; the third-person singular is 'enthält'.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The key pattern is 'Ich möchte dieses Paket nach [place] schicken.' 'möchte' is the polite form of 'mögen' and works like 'would like to'. The verb 'schicken' goes to the end of the sentence. For countries and cities without an article, use 'nach': 'nach Berlin', 'nach Frankreich'. For countries with an article, use 'in' + accusative: 'in die Schweiz', 'in die USA', 'in den Iran'. For a person, use 'an': 'Ich möchte dieses Paket an meine Schwester schicken.' To ask about options, use 'Welche Versandarten gibt es?' or 'Was kostet der Versand nach ...?'
When to use it
Use these phrases at the counter when you hand over the package. Start with 'Guten Tag, ich möchte dieses Paket nach ... schicken.' Then answer the clerk's questions. Typical questions include: 'Was ist drin?' (What's inside?), 'Ist etwas Zerbrechliches dabei?' (Is anything fragile?), 'Wie viel ist der Inhalt wert?' (What is the contents' value?), and 'Soll es versichert sein?' (Should it be insured?). If you need speed, say 'Express' or 'Schnellversand'. If you want tracking, say 'mit Sendungsverfolgung'. For payment, 'Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?' works. In Austria, 'Paket' is common; in Switzerland, 'Paket' and 'Päckli' are used, and the counter may ask 'Wohin geht's?'.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Tag, ich möchte dieses Paket nach Spanien schicken.
Hello, I'd like to send this package to Spain.GOO-ten tahk, ikh MERKH-tuh DEE-zuhs pah-KET nakh SHPAH-nee-en SHIK-enGerne. Was ist drin, und wie viel ist der Inhalt wert?
Certainly. What's inside, and what is the contents' value?GAIR-nuh. vas ist drin, oont vee feel ist dair IN-halt vairtNur Bücher, etwa 40 Euro. Ich brauche eine Sendungsverfolgung.
Only books, about 40 euros. I need tracking.noor BOO-kher, ET-vah FEER-tsikh OY-roh. ikh BROW-khuh EYE-nuh ZEN-doongs-fer-FOL-goongDann empfehle ich das Standard-Paket mit Sendungsverfolgung. Das kostet 9,49 Euro.
Then I recommend the standard package with tracking. That costs 9.49 euros.dan em-PFAY-luh ikh das SHTAN-dart pah-KET mit ZEN-doongs-fer-FOL-goong. das KOS-tet NOYN OY-roh NOYN-oont-FEER-tsikhA little context goes a long way
German post offices are often service counters inside a shop or a DHL branch. Clerks expect you to state your request first, then answer questions. Politeness is shown with 'Guten Tag' and 'Bitte'/'Danke', not with long apologies. In Austria, 'Post' and 'Postpartner' are common; in Switzerland, 'Die Post' is standard. If you don't understand a question, say 'Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?' rather than switching to English immediately.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Ich will dieses Paket nach Spanien schicken' to be polite.
Try this instead: 'Ich will' sounds like a firm intention or even a demand. Use 'Ich möchte' for polite requests: 'Ich möchte dieses Paket nach Spanien schicken.' If you want to be very polite, add 'bitte': 'Ich möchte dieses Paket bitte nach Spanien schicken.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you say 'I'd like to send this package to Switzerland'?
Show a sample answer
Ich möchte dieses Paket in die Schweiz schicken.
'Schweiz' takes an article, so use 'in die Schweiz' instead of 'nach Schweiz'. 'nach' is only for countries and cities without an article.
2Ask the clerk how much shipping to Canada costs.
Show a sample answer
Was kostet der Versand nach Kanada?
This is a standard polite question. You could also say 'Wie viel kostet der Versand nach Kanada?' Both are correct.
3Say that the package contains only books and clothing.
Show a sample answer
Es enthält nur Bücher und Kleidung.
'enthalten' means 'to contain'; the third-person singular is 'enthält'. 'nur' means 'only'. You can also say 'Da sind nur Bücher und Kleidung drin.'
Start with 'Ich möchte dieses Paket nach ... schicken', then answer the clerk's questions about contents, value, insurance, and tracking. Use 'möchte' for polite requests, and remember 'in die' for countries with articles.
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