European postal services, in cooperation with the European “Union”, remain a mystery to me. Sending packages throughout Germany/the EU highlights how national borders can still cause totally illogical outcomes.

Let´s compare: We want to send a fairly standardised package of 45/30/15cm and 2kg.

From Flensburg to Berchtesgaden                    From Aachen to Kelmis
(=within Germany)                                              (from Germany to Belgium)

>>map<< — click for — >>map<<
1092 km — distance — 10.4 km
10h20 — time to drive — 00h13
€ 4.10 — usual price — € 8.90

While the domestic package travels 10000% farther, and driving the distance by car would take 5000% longer, this very package is still ~50% cheaper.

Official reason:The international transport involves two companies, namely the German and Belgian postal services, while the domestic shipment is exclusively handled by one company. Please judge yourself how much sense this makes to you!