DHL to end GoGreen: What online retailers need to know

DHL will discontinue its GoGreen service on August 31, 2026. From September 2026, GoGreen Plus will become the standard option as the company adapts to stricter EU rules on environmental claims and greenwashing.

From carbon offsetting to direct emission cuts

The main difference between the old and new service is the way emissions are addressed. GoGreen was based on offsetting transport emissions through external climate protection projects. Under the new EU requirements, this type of carbon compensation outside a company’s own value chain will no longer be enough to advertise a product or service as sustainable.

GoGreen Plus focuses instead on direct emission reductions within DHL’s own logistics network. This includes electric vehicles, alternative truck drives, company-operated freight trains and photovoltaic systems. For business customers, these savings are allocated through a “book-and-claim” system. For private customers, DHL says GoGreen Plus will automatically be included for domestic and international parcels covering the German transport section from September 2026.

Old GoGreen packaging is already being phased out

The change is already visible in Deutsche Post’s packaging range. Shipping boxes carrying the GoGreen logo are being sold in branches and online with discounts of up to 20 percent.

Branch operators have reportedly been informed that materials with the old GoGreen branding should disappear from the range by mid-September 2026. This could also affect retailers that use the GoGreen logo on their own packaging, labels or advertising materials. Some may need to replace these items before they would normally have done so, even if the materials are still usable.

What online retailers should review now

Ecommerce businesses that mention GoGreen in customer communication should check their materials ahead of the change. This includes packaging, shipping labels, emails, checkout information and website copy.

From September 2026, sustainability claims should no longer be connected to the old GoGreen label. Retailers that want to continue highlighting more sustainable shipping should prepare to switch to GoGreen Plus wording and check whether existing materials can still be used during the transition period.