How to send a parcel abroad – step by step

Sending a parcel to another EU country is easier than many people think. You don't need an account or a shipping agreement. Here are the six steps – and the mistakes that most often make a parcel more expensive or hold it up.

1. Pack the parcel

Use a strong box that suits the contents. Fill any empty space with paper or bubble wrap so nothing moves around, and tape every seam. Wrap fragile items individually. Put a note with the sender and recipient details inside the box.

See our guide to preparing your parcel.

Can it be sent? Hazardous materials and flammable liquids can't be sent. Nor can loose batteries and power banks. Electronics with the battery inside can be sent if they're switched off, well packed and charged to no more than 30%. See the list of prohibited items.

2. Measure and weigh

Measure the length, width and height of the closed box, and round up to whole centimetres. Weigh it on your bathroom scales (weigh yourself with and without the box, and subtract the difference).

The price is based on the actual weight or the volumetric weight – whichever is higher:

Volumetric weight = length × width × height in cm ÷ 5000

A parcel can weigh up to 70 kg.

3. Compare and book

On ohship.dk you enter the sender and recipient countries and postcodes, and then you see the prices from DHL Express and UPS side by side:

• DHL Express flies the parcel and often delivers the next working day in Europe.
• UPS Standard goes by road and is usually cheaper, but takes a little longer.

Make your choice, fill in the addresses and phone numbers, and pay by card. You don't need to create an account.

Customs within the EU: No customs papers are needed when you send to another EU country. The exception is areas outside the EU VAT area, such as the Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla.

4. Print and attach the label

Once you've paid, you get a link to the label.

• Print it on ordinary A4 paper.
• Attach it to the largest side of the box with clear packing tape.
• The whole label must be visible, and the barcode mustn't be covered by tape or folded round a corner.
• Remove old labels and barcodes from the box if you're reusing one.

The label is valid for 30 days after purchase.

5. Drop the parcel off – or have it collected

You have two options:

• Drop the parcel off at a service point. DHL Express parcels go to a DHL Express Service Point, and UPS parcels to a UPS Access Point. Find the nearest one on Service points.
• Book a pickup directly with the carrier: with UPS on ups.com or with DHL Express on dhl.com, using the tracking number on the label.

6. Track the parcel

The tracking number is on the label. Enter it under "Track package" on ohship.dk. If the tracking hasn't updated for 24–48 hours, contact customer service with your tracking number.

7. The common mistakes

• Wrong size or weight. If the parcel is larger or heavier than you entered, the carrier can recalculate the price, and the difference has to be paid afterwards.
• No phone number for the recipient. The driver can't call, and delivery may be delayed.
• The wrong address format. Many countries have their own rules, such as the floor and door in Spain. Check the format in the country guide for your destination, for example send a parcel to Germany (in Danish).
• One label for several boxes. Each parcel needs its own label.
• Loose batteries in the parcel. They can't be sent.

8. Frequently asked questions

Do I need an account to send a parcel? No. An account is free and saves your details, but you don't need one.

Can I send from my workplace, or from somewhere other than my home address? Yes. The sender address is where the parcel is dropped off or collected.

What do I do if I've made a mistake on the label? Contact customer service before you send the parcel, and give us the order or tracking number. We'll help you correct it.

Can I get a refund for a label I don't use? No, unused labels aren't refunded. They're cancelled automatically after 30 days.

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Sources: OhShip's own information (as of 4 November 2026): Frequently asked questions (account, DHL Express and UPS, labels, pickup, tracking, batteries, refunds), the country guides (70 kg, customs, address format). Check again before the article is published.