FAQs
Frequently asked questions and answers
Regular shipment
How long does it take GLS to deliver parcels?
National parcels usually reach their destination within a standard delivery time of less than 24 hours. In Europe, standard delivery times are generally between 24 and 96 hours. GLS delivers Monday to Friday during normal business hours.
How does the shipment processing work with GLS?
GLS provides companies with IT dispatch systems that correspond to their requirements and parcel volumes. The systems can be adapted to senders’ IT systems.
What does GLS offer for international shipment?
GLS offers reliable parcel shipping to 42 states in Europe. More information can be found in the product descriptions in the section "Shipping solutions".
How do I find out which products and services are available for a certain dispatch route?
Simply enter the starting point and destination of your consignment into the GLS shipping planner. The available product and service combinations will be displayed immediately.
How large may a parcel be?
A parcel may not exceed the following dimensions:
Length: 200 cm
Width: 80 cm
Height: 60 cm
Combined length and girth: 300 cm
Calculation of max. combined length and girth: 2 x height + 2 x width + 1 x longest side
How much may a parcel weigh?
The maximum weight is 30 kg for parcels within the Republic of Ireland and 40 kg for international delivery. Exceptions apply to a small number of countries for worldwide shipping. Contact your GLS depot for more information.
How much does parcel delivery cost with GLS?
Precisely how much it costs to send a parcel depends on your wishes and requirements. If you send parcels regularly, you will get an individual offer from GLS.
I want to send bulky items. What do I need to consider?
Some shipments cannot be transported by the conveyor belts in our automatic sorting systems because of their size or outer packaging. GLS sorts and scans these “non-conveyable” consignments manually in the depots and distribution hub. This incurs a surcharge. This includes among others:
- Sacks, tyres, rolls, bales of cloth, canisters, plastic buckets, wooden boxes
- Parcels with protruding parts of any kind
For more information contact your GLS depot.
Which goods are excluded from delivery?
Inadequately and/or unconventionally-packed goods are generally excluded from delivery by GLS. Computers (e.g. desktop computers or notebooks) are only transported in their proper original packaging. Also excluded from delivery are among others:
- Parcels with a goods value of over € 5,000
- Parcels consigned at GLS ParcelShops whose value exceeds € 1,000
- Goods that require particularly careful handling (e.g. fragile goods)
- Perishable or temperature-managed goods
- Live animals
- Particularly valuable items (e.g. gold, precious metals and stones, real jewellery and real pearls, works of art, antiques)
- Telephone cards and pre-paid cards for mobile phones
- Baggage and bottles
- Firearms and ammunition
- Dangerous goods of any kind
- Tobacco, liquors, personal effects and carnet ATA goods (if sent abroad)
Further information can be found in the shipping guidelines as well as in the General Terms and Conditions.
Can I track parcels in real time?
Yes, all parcels within the Republic of Ireland can be tracked in real time by the sender and recipient using parcel tracking. Internationally, GLS already provides real-time delivery information in many countries thanks to mobile data transfer from vehicles. Scanned data from the hubs and depots of all GLS subsidiaries is immediately fed into the GLS IT system and is directly available online. Simply enter the shipment number or Track ID.
What is the standard insurance sum of a parcel? Is an additional insurance possible?
GLS is liable for loss or damage of parcels in its custody. Liability does not include consequential damages like loss of profit. If the sender takes out no transport insurance, GLS compensates the value of the goods beyond the statutory limitation of liability up to a maximum of € 350 per parcel.
For cash on delivery (COD) consignments, GLS is only liable for cash and equivalents to a maximum of € 1,000 per parcel and up to € 2,500 per express parcel.
The liability limit for express consignments can be exceeded by booking the AddOnLiability-Service.
You can find further information in the terms and conditions of GLS Ireland.
What does GLS do for the environment?
GLS is committed to the responsible use of resources, the reduction of emissions, and the optimisation of waste disposal. All GLS subsidiaries have obtained the ISO 14001 certification for their environmental management systems. GLS coordinates and promotes all activities to protect the environment across the Group within the framework of the ThinkGreen initiative.
My question isn’t listed here. Where can I get more information?
The GLS customer care team and your contact in the GLS depot will be happy to help you. You can give us a call at 01860 6200 (standard rate charged, mobile phone calls may cost more). Or submit your question in writing using the contact form.
Occasional shipment
How long does it take GLS to deliver parcels?
National parcels usually reach their destination within a standard delivery time of less than 24 hours. In Europe, standard delivery times are generally between 24 and 96 hours. GLS delivers Monday to Friday during normal business hours.
How does the shipment processing work with GLS?
GLS provides companies with IT dispatch systems that correspond to their requirements and parcel volumes. The systems can be adapted to senders’ IT systems.
What does GLS offer for international shipment?
GLS offers reliable parcel shipping to 42 states in Europe. More information can be found in the product descriptions in the section "Shipping solutions".
How do I find out which products and services are available for a certain dispatch route?
Simply enter the starting point and destination of your consignment into the GLS shipping planner. The available product and service combinations will be displayed immediately.
How large may a parcel be?
A parcel may not exceed the following dimensions:
Length: 200 cm
Width: 80 cm
Height: 60 cm
Combined length and girth: 300 cm
Calculation of max. combined length and girth: 2 x height + 2 x width + 1 x longest side
How much may a parcel weigh?
The maximum weight is 30 kg for parcels within the Republic of Ireland and 40 kg for international delivery. Exceptions apply to a small number of countries for worldwide shipping. Contact your GLS depot for more information.
How much does parcel delivery cost with GLS?
Precisely how much it costs to send a parcel depends on your wishes and requirements. If you send parcels regularly, you will get an individual offer from GLS.
I want to send bulky items. What do I need to consider?
Some shipments cannot be transported by the conveyor belts in our automatic sorting systems because of their size or outer packaging. GLS sorts and scans these “non-conveyable” consignments manually in the depots and distribution hub. This incurs a surcharge. This includes among others:
- Sacks, tyres, rolls, bales of cloth, canisters, plastic buckets, wooden boxes
- Parcels with protruding parts of any kind
For more information contact your GLS depot.
Which goods are excluded from delivery?
Inadequately and/or unconventionally-packed goods are generally excluded from delivery by GLS. Computers (e.g. desktop computers or notebooks) are only transported in their proper original packaging. Also excluded from delivery are among others:
- Parcels with a goods value of over € 5,000
- Parcels consigned at GLS ParcelShops whose value exceeds € 1,000
- Goods that require particularly careful handling (e.g. fragile goods)
- Perishable or temperature-managed goods
- Live animals
- Particularly valuable items (e.g. gold, precious metals and stones, real jewellery and real pearls, works of art, antiques)
- Telephone cards and pre-paid cards for mobile phones
- Baggage and bottles
- Firearms and ammunition
- Dangerous goods of any kind
- Tobacco, liquors, personal effects and carnet ATA goods (if sent abroad)
Further information can be found in the shipping guidelines as well as in the General Terms and Conditions.
Can I track parcels in real time?
Yes, all parcels within the Republic of Ireland can be tracked in real time by the sender and recipient using parcel tracking. Internationally, GLS already provides real-time delivery information in many countries thanks to mobile data transfer from vehicles. Scanned data from the hubs and depots of all GLS subsidiaries is immediately fed into the GLS IT system and is directly available online. Simply enter the shipment number or Track ID.
What is the standard insurance sum of a parcel? Is an additional insurance possible?
GLS is liable for loss or damage of parcels in its custody. Liability does not include consequential damages like loss of profit. If the sender takes out no transport insurance, GLS compensates the value of the goods beyond the statutory limitation of liability up to a maximum of € 350 per parcel.
For cash on delivery (COD) consignments, GLS is only liable for cash and equivalents to a maximum of € 1,000 per parcel and up to € 2,500 per express parcel.
The liability limit for express consignments can be exceeded by booking the AddOnLiability-Service.
You can find further information in the terms and conditions of GLS Ireland.
What does GLS do for the environment?
GLS is committed to the responsible use of resources, the reduction of emissions, and the optimisation of waste disposal. All GLS subsidiaries have obtained the ISO 14001 certification for their environmental management systems. GLS coordinates and promotes all activities to protect the environment across the Group within the framework of the ThinkGreen initiative.
My question isn’t listed here. Where can I get more information?
The GLS customer care team and your contact in the GLS depot will be happy to help you. You can give us a call at 01860 6200 (standard rate charged, mobile phone calls may cost more). Or submit your question in writing using the contact form.
What does GLS offer for international shipment?
GLS offers reliable parcel shipping to 42 states in Europe. More information can be found in the product descriptions in the section "Shipping solutions".
Recipients
When will my parcel arrive?
Parcels within the Republic of Ireland are usually delivered within less than 24 hours. To all major European markets parcel usually reach their destination within 24 to 48 hours. Delivery to more distant European countries usually takes between 3 and 5 days, in remote areas up to 7 days. GLS delivers Monday to Friday during normal business hours. Parcel tracking shows you the expected delivery date.
How do I find out where my parcel is right now?
With online parcel tracking function you can track your parcel at any time. Please note that GLS uses distribution centres, so the dispatch route may not always seem direct to you. To see where your parcel is right now, simply enter the parcel number or the Track ID.
What happens if I’m not at home at the time of delivery?
First, GLS will attempt to find a neighbour willing to accept and sign for your parcel. If no neighbour can accept your parcel, GLS will leave a notification card and take the parcel to the nearest GLS ParcelShop. You then have nine working days to collect your parcel, showing your photo ID (e.g. passport or identity card). If there is no ParcelShop nearby, GLS will take your parcel back to the depot (distribution centre) – and then undertake a second delivery attempt. In any case, you will receive a notification card.
If the second delivery attempt is also unsuccessful, GLS will store the parcel in the depot for a period of ten working days. During this period you have the possibility to contact GLS or pick the parcel up in the depot. Otherwise the parcel is returned to the sender.
I am often not at home. How will I receive my parcel?
When ordering online you can often enter an alternative delivery address. This, for example, can be your place of work if your employer agrees to this. You can issue GLS with a signature release authorisation. This way the driver can leave the parcel at a freely-accessible location of your choice at your address. If you did not choose one of these options in advance, a neighbour might accept your parcel.
Or GLS may take it to the nearest
GLS ParcelShop.
Can GLS leave my parcel with a neighbour?
Yes. If you are not at home, the driver may leave your parcel with a neighbour. They will naturally have to sign for it. The driver will leave a notification card with the relevant information.
Can GLS leave my parcel at a ParcelShop for me to collect?
Yes. If your parcel cannot be delivered to you or a neighbour, the delivery driver will automatically take it to the nearest ParcelShop and leave a notification card for you. You then have nine working days in which to collect it from the ParcelShop. Note: To collect a parcel you will need an official photo ID (e.g. passport or identity card).
Where can I find my nearest ParcelShop?
Simply use the GLS ParcelShop finder to search for a shop and directions
Can another person collect my parcel from the ParcelShop?
Yes. Just hand the person an informal written authorisation. It should include your name and address, as well as the name and address of the collector. You can also fill out the form on the notification card. The authorised person must bring the authorisation and an official photo ID (e.g. passport or identity card).
Can I authorise GLS to leave a parcel at an agreed place?
Yes, you can authorise GLS to leave a parcel at an agreed place, for example, in your garage. To do this, simply download the signature release authorisation as a PDF, print it out, fill it in and send it to your GLS depot – or hand it directly to the delivery driver. The signature release authorisation can be a once-off or general authorisation. You can also revoke it at any time in writing.
I want to return my parcel. What do I do?
You can return parcels easily via a GLS ParcelShop, but will have to pay the standard ParcelShop charges.
My parcel is damaged. What can I do?
If your parcel is externally damaged, you can refuse to accept it. GLS will then return the parcel to the depot and inform the sender. If the contents are damaged, please contact the sender. GLS cannot and may not check the contents of sent parcels.
My parcel hasn’t arrived. What should I do?
First of all check the status of your parcel using the parcel tracking function of GLS. To do this, enter the parcel number the sender has given you – if not, ask the sender for the number. Secondly, look for the notification card that a delivery driver leaves behind if no-one is at home at the first delivery attempt. The notification card will tell you where your parcel is – for example, with a neighbour or in a GLS ParcelShop. The Track ID will also be included on the card, enabling you to use the parcel tracking function.
If shipment tracking does not help you, get in touch by calling GLS directly at 01860 6200 (standard rate charged, mobile phone calls may cost more). We will gladly try to answer your question. The parcel number or Track ID is necessary for us to assist you, so please have one of these ready.
My question isn’t listed here. Where can I get more information?
Simply call our 01860 6200 (standard rate charged, mobile phone calls may cost more). Alternatively, send your question via the contact form.