# Best Postal and Shipping Services in Austria (2026) > Compare the best postal and shipping services in Austria in 2026. Top 7 providers including Österreichische Post, DHL, DPD, GLS, UPS, FedEx, and Hermes. Learn how the Austrian postal system works, which courier is cheapest, and how to ship within the EU. Updated: May 19 2026 · By Jules de Bruin · URL: https://www.how-to-austria.com/transport/postal-shipping Updated May 19 2026. **Österreichische Post (Post AG)** is the state-linked national provider, operating **400+ branches** and delivering roughly **95 percent of standard letters next business day** within Austria. **DHL Austria** is the premium international option for time-critical and global shipments. **DPD Austria** and **GLS Austria** typically offer the cheapest B2C parcel rates within Austria and across the EU. A standard domestic letter costs **EUR 1.00**, while a 2 kg parcel starts around EUR 4.60. For EU-wide shipping, expect EUR 16 to EUR 25 for a 5 kg parcel. ## Top 7 Best Postal and Shipping Services in Austria Based on coverage, reliability, pricing, and service quality for both consumers and businesses, here are the top 7 postal and shipping providers in Austria in 2026. National Provider ### 1. Österreichische Post (Post AG) 5.0Austria's state-linked national postal service and universal service provider. Post AG operates 400+ full branches, 1,800+ Post Partner shops, and delivers to every address in the country. Letters, parcels, registered mail, banking at PostFinance, and digital postage all under one roof. Why we recommend it: Legally mandated universal service provider with 400+ full branches, 1,800+ Post Partner shops, and 95 percent next-day letter delivery nationwide. Best for: Anyone sending letters, registered mail, or small parcels domestically, plus anyone who wants universal pickup and delivery coverage Pros - +Legally required to deliver to every Austrian address - +400+ full branches and 1,800+ Post Partner shops nationwide - +Next-business-day letter delivery 95 percent of the time - +Integrated digital postage, parcel lockers, and app-based tracking Cons - −Parcel rates above 2 kg are often beaten by DPD or GLS - −Branch opening hours are limited to weekdays mostly - −International express service is pricier than DHL or UPS [Visit Österreichische Post](https://www.post.at)Best International ### 2. DHL Austria 4.6The premium global express courier in Austria. DHL handles international shipments to 220+ countries with time-definite delivery, customs clearance, and end-to-end tracking. DHL Paket also competes in domestic and EU B2C parcel delivery. Why we recommend it: Strongest brand for reliable international tracking with global express network, 24/7 Packstations, and specialized customs clearance services. Best for: Time-critical international shipments, business-to-business logistics, and anyone needing reliable tracking to non-EU destinations Pros - +Global express network reaching 220+ countries - +Strongest brand for reliable international tracking - +DHL Packstations available 24/7 in most Austrian cities - +Specialized customs clearance and import services Cons - −More expensive than DPD or GLS for EU parcels - −Residential Saturday delivery is not standard - −Pricing tiers are complex for occasional senders [Visit DHL Austria](https://www.dhl.at)Best Value B2C ### 3. DPD Austria 4.4A large European parcel network with strong coverage and competitive B2C rates in Austria. DPD operates an extensive Pickup point network and is a preferred partner for many Austrian e-commerce retailers. Why we recommend it: Competitive 2-10kg domestic and EU rates, extensive Pickup point network, and one-hour delivery time windows for private and business senders. Best for: Private senders and small businesses shipping medium parcels domestically and across the EU Pros - +Competitive rates on 2 to 10 kg domestic and EU parcels - +Pickup points at supermarkets, kiosks, and petrol stations - +One-hour delivery time windows on the day of delivery - +Easy online booking and label printing Cons - −Fewer branches than Post AG for walk-in service - −Saturday delivery is optional only - −Less brand recognition outside Europe [Visit DPD Austria](https://www.dpd.com/at)EU Network ### 4. GLS Austria 4.2A pan-European parcel delivery network with strong Austrian coverage and business-friendly pricing. GLS is especially popular with online sellers and B2B logistics thanks to its predictable delivery windows and EU-wide service. Why we recommend it: Reliable next-business-day EU delivery with predictable time windows, ParcelShop network, and competitive B2B pricing with volume discounts. Best for: Business shippers and online sellers looking for consistent EU delivery windows and competitive rates Pros - +Reliable next-business-day delivery in Austria and neighbouring EU states - +Predictable delivery time windows with text-message updates - +ParcelShop network across Austria for pickup and drop-off - +Competitive B2B pricing with volume discounts Cons - −Less suited to one-off private senders without an account - −Fewer retail touchpoints than Post AG - −No global express service, EU-focused only [Visit GLS Austria](https://www.gls-austria.com)Premium Express ### 5. UPS Austria 4.0Premium global express courier with particularly strong performance on transatlantic routes. UPS Austria specializes in business logistics, air freight, and time-definite delivery for corporate shippers. Why we recommend it: Strongest performance on Austria-to-North America routes with time-definite delivery, robust customs brokerage, and B2B air freight options. Best for: Businesses shipping time-critical documents and parcels to North America or globally Pros - +Strongest performance on Austria to US and Austria to Canada routes - +Time-definite delivery with end-to-end tracking - +Robust customs clearance and brokerage services - +Comprehensive B2B air freight and logistics options Cons - −Domestic Austrian coverage is smaller than Post AG or DPD - −Premium pricing, not suited for casual senders - −Fewer drop-off points than competitors [Visit UPS Austria](https://www.ups.com/at/en/home)Global Express ### 6. FedEx Austria 3.9Global express carrier serving Austria with competitive international air service. FedEx is best known for transatlantic overnight delivery and cross-border B2B logistics, with service tiers from economy to priority overnight. Why we recommend it: Global express network with strong North American routes, multiple service tiers, reliable customs clearance, and integrated ecommerce shipping tools. Best for: Businesses with global shipping needs and time-definite international delivery requirements Pros - +Global express network with strong North American routes - +Multiple service tiers from economy to priority overnight - +Reliable customs clearance and tracking - +Integrated ecommerce shipping tools Cons - −Smaller domestic Austrian footprint than DHL or Post AG - −Premium pricing across all service tiers - −Limited retail drop-off network in Austria [Visit FedEx Austria](https://www.fedex.com)Best for Returns ### 7. Hermes Austria 3.8A parcel delivery service specializing in e-commerce, particularly returns and low-cost B2C shipments. Hermes is the preferred returns partner for many German and Austrian fashion retailers and operates an extensive ParcelShop network across the country. Why we recommend it: E-commerce returns specialist with retailer integrations, low-cost B2C parcel service, ParcelShop drop-off in most Austrian towns. Best for: Consumers returning online orders and small sellers looking for low-cost B2C parcel service Pros - +Specialist in e-commerce returns with retailer integrations - +Low-cost B2C parcel service for small items - +ParcelShop drop-off network in most Austrian towns - +Easy label generation via retailer portals Cons - −Slower delivery times than DHL, DPD, or GLS - −Customer service is often criticized in reviews - −Limited suitability for heavy or high-value shipments [Visit Hermes Austria](https://www.hermesworld.com) ## How Does the Austrian Postal System Work? Austria's postal system is anchored by Post AG, with private couriers filling in around e-commerce, B2B, and international express. Here is the structure: - 1Post AG runs the universal service Österreichische Post is the designated universal service provider, legally required to deliver letters and parcels to every address in Austria. It operates 400+ full branches (Postfilialen) and 1,800+ Post Partner shops. - 2Private couriers focus on parcels DHL, DPD, GLS, UPS, FedEx, and Hermes all operate in Austria for parcel delivery, especially for e-commerce and business shipments. Price and service varies significantly, so quotes are worth comparing on anything over 2 kg. - 3Parcel lockers are widespread Post AG Empfangsboxen, DHL Packstations, and DPD Pickup lockers are available 24/7 at supermarkets, train stations, and petrol stations. These make pickup easy if you work full-time or travel frequently. - 4Registration determines your address Your official delivery address is tied to your Meldezettel. If you move, update your [Vienna registration](/living/vienna-registration) within 3 business days to keep mail routing correctly. - 5Business hours are limited Most Postfilialen open 08:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday and some 08:00 to 12:00 on Saturday. Post Partner shops inside supermarkets typically have longer hours that match the store. ## Which Courier Is Cheapest in Austria? The cheapest courier depends on parcel weight, destination, and whether you are shipping as a consumer or business. Here is a rough guide: - **Under 2 kg, domestic**: Post AG Päckchen from EUR 4.60. Usually unbeatable for small items. - **2 to 10 kg, domestic**: DPD or GLS often come in at EUR 5.50 to EUR 8.50, below Post AG's parcel rates. - **E-commerce returns**: Hermes Austria specializes in returns and is used by most fashion retailers; rates are negotiated by the retailer. - **EU parcels up to 5 kg**: Post AG EU-Paket from EUR 16.50, DPD and GLS competitive for business accounts. - **International express**: DHL Express, UPS, and FedEx are priced similarly. DHL often wins on EU-wide overnight, UPS on transatlantic. #### Compare rates before every non-trivial shipment Austrian courier pricing is opaque and route-specific. For anything over EUR 10 in postage, run your weight, dimensions, and destination through at least Post AG, DPD, and GLS. Online comparison tools like shoepping.at or Paketdienstvergleich can save 20 to 40 percent per shipment. ## How Do You Ship from Austria to Other EU Countries? Shipping from Austria to other EU countries is straightforward thanks to the customs union. Here is the process: - **No customs declaration needed for EU destinations**: Goods move freely within the customs union, so you only need sender and recipient details. - **Pick a service tier**: Post AG offers EU-Paket (economy) and EU-Paket Prio (priority). DPD, GLS, DHL all have similar tiers. - **Measure and weigh accurately**: All carriers re-weigh parcels and will invoice the difference if yours is heavier than declared. - **Delivery times**: 2 to 5 business days to neighbouring EU countries (DE, IT, CZ, SK, HU, SI), 3 to 8 business days further afield. - **Tracking**: Included with every EU parcel from Post AG, DHL, DPD, GLS, UPS, and FedEx. ### Key Terms to Know - **Brief**: Letter, up to 2 cm thick and 1 kg. Standard letter costs EUR 1.00 within Austria. - **Päckchen**: Small parcel up to 2 kg. Domestic rates from EUR 4.60. - **Paket**: Standard parcel up to 31.5 kg. Rates vary by size and service tier. - **Einschreiben**: Registered mail with signature on delivery. Adds roughly EUR 2.80 to the postage. - **Nachnahme**: Cash-on-delivery service, used mainly for B2B shipments. ## Entity References Full factual profiles for each brand covered on this page: - [Österreichische Post (Post AG)Austrian Postal & Shipping](/facts/post-ag-osterreichische-post) - [DHL AustriaAustrian Postal & Shipping](/facts/dhl-austria) - [DPD AustriaAustrian Postal & Shipping](/facts/dpd-austria) - [GLS AustriaAustrian Postal & Shipping](/facts/gls-austria) - [UPS AustriaAustrian Postal & Shipping](/facts/ups-austria) - [FedEx AustriaAustrian Postal & Shipping](/facts/fedex-austria) - [Hermes AustriaAustrian Postal & Shipping](/facts/hermes-austria) ## Official Sources - [Österreichische Post: National postal operator](https://www.post.at) - [RTR-GmbH: Austrian postal and telecoms regulator](https://www.rtr.at) - [BMK: Federal Ministry for Climate Action and Mobility (postal policy)](https://www.bmk.gv.at) - [BMF: Federal Ministry of Finance (customs for non-EU shipments)](https://www.bmf.gv.at) ## Related Guides [### Train Operators in Austria How ÖBB and private operators move goods and people nationwide](/transport/rail)[### Vienna Registration (Meldezettel) Your Meldezettel determines the address mail is delivered to](/living/vienna-registration)[### Open a Bank Account Many bank card and contract deliveries go via Post AG registered mail](/banking/open-bank-account)[### Cost of Living in Austria How postage and shipping fit into your monthly household budget](/living/cost-of-living) --- Source: https://www.how-to-austria.com/transport/postal-shipping Last updated: Updated: May 19 2026 Format: LLM-readable Markdown twin (.md) of the canonical HTML page.