Since shipping packaging, which is sent to the private end user with the goods, as well as product packaging, are among the sales packaging that requires a license (or "system participation"), online retailers are usually directly affected by the German Packaging Act.
In addition to shipping carton and bag, all filling materials and packaging materials that are shipped with the goods must also be taken into account when fulfilling the obligations of the German Packaging Act.
Find out what the Packaging Act means for you in the following practical cases:
You produce goods, pack and ship them yourself to german costumers
According to the German Packaging Act, you are responsible for the participation (synonymous with "licensing") of the following packaging that ends up in German households:
- Product packaging including all components
- Shipping packaging including all filling materials and packaging aids
You order products from a producer/retailer and send them to your German customers
According to the German Packaging Act you are obliged to participate in the system for the following packaging that ends up in German households:
- the shipping packaging filled by you, including all filling materials and packaging aids
You are not responsible for the following packaging (exception: you add further packaging components):
- the product packaging previously filled by the producer/retailer
You work together with fulfillment or dropshipping service providers
Detailed answers to the cases Dropshipping and Fulfillment can be found on the following page:
The Packaging Act for Marketplace Retailers
You send goods to German companies like cinemas, hotels or hospitals
If your customers belong to the so-called equivalent sources (e.g. sports stadiums, cinemas, hospitals, hotels, etc.), they are also to be considered private end users; according to the German Packaging Act, you are therefore responsible for licensing the following packaging:
- all packaging (product and/or shipping packaging) that you fill yourself
You send goods to German companies like cinemas, hotels or hospitals
If your customers belong to the so-called equivalent sources (e.g. sports stadiums, cinemas, hospitals, hotels, etc.), they are also to be considered private end users; according to the German Packaging Act, you are therefore responsible for licensing the following packaging:
- all packaging (product and/or shipping packaging) that you fill yourself
