Calculate packaging licensing costs for small and medium-sized businesses

Get your packaging license quickly with the PreZero license calculator — transparent, compliant, and with no basic fee
Lizenzrechner

The PreZero packaging license calculator gives you a direct digital route to packaging licensing in just a few simple steps. You calculate licensing costs in real time, complete your registration online instantly, and receive all the documentation you need for LUCID and online marketplaces.

Whether you run a small business, sell online, or need to complete subsequent licensing, our calculator helps you meet your legal obligations quickly, reliably, and at a fair price.

Packaging Specifications at a Glance

Find all relevant average weights and material classifications for your licensing here – clearly organized by packaging type.

A packaging license is the legally required participation in a dual system under the German Packaging Act. By licensing their packaging volumes, companies help finance collection and recovery.

With a dual system such as PreZero, you can handle this requirement efficiently — including quantity reporting and the documentation needed for LUCID.

How the PreZero license calculator works: Get compliant in 3 steps

The license calculator is a digital tool that helps you quickly and easily meet the system participation requirement under the German Packaging Act. Based on your volumes, it calculates packaging licensing fees for small businesses in real time.

Step 1: License year & quantity planning (Estimate)

Select the license year you need. Previous years can also be chosen for subsequent licensing. Because licensing is completed in advance, enter your estimated packaging volumes in kilograms (kg).

Tip: Break your packaging down by material group, such as paper and cardboard, plastics, glass, or aluminum.

If you do not know the exact weight, average values can help. A standard medium shipping carton, for example, weighs around 350 to 500 g.

Step 2: Instant price calculation (Transparency)

As soon as you enter the volumes, the calculator shows your individual price automatically. There are no hidden basic fees.

A minimum price of €79.00 per year applies to very small quantities.

You see the final total immediately — clear and transparent.

Step 3: Online sign-up & documentation (Compliance)

Once your quantities are correct, you can complete the contract directly online. Standard payment methods such as PayPal, credit card, or invoice are available.

After completion, you receive your contract confirmation and all the documentation needed for the LUCID packaging register or your marketplace operator.

Calculate your packaging license now

Use the calculator to determine your packaging licensing costs in just a few steps and register with the system directly online. The documentation you need for LUCID and marketplace requirements is then available immediately.

Stay compliant and avoid fines

Missing or incorrect packaging licenses can quickly lead to problems — from legal warnings to sales restrictions on marketplaces such as Amazon or eBay. What matters is that your system participation is reported correctly and can be documented at any time.

This helps you avoid common mistakes and handle packaging licensing in a compliant way, including for subsequent licensing or where there is still uncertainty.

Typical situations in practice

Packaging licensing questions often come up in situations such as:

  • Selling through marketplaces such as Amazon or eBay 
  • Subsequent licensing of packaging volumes 
  • Classification of shipping, service, or composite packaging 
  • LUCID registration and data reporting 
  • Dealing with legal warnings or uncertainty around system participation 
  • Requirements for importers

The PreZero license calculator helps you manage these requirements efficiently.

Average weights for packaging

Use these guide values as a basis for your calculations and ensure maximum transparency in your sustainability management.

Packaging typeExample format MaterialEnter in the calculator asAverage weight
Mailing bag / envelope DIN-A4 / C4Paper / cardboard Paper, cardboard 15g – 20g
Padded envelopeSize 4 / D Paper + plastic Other composite packaging 15g – 25g
Box (S) 250 x 175 x 100 mmCorrugated cardboard Paper, cardboard 120g – 180g
Box (M) 400 x 300 x 200 mmCorrugated cardboard Paper, cardboard 350g – 500g
Box (L) 600 x 400 x 400 mmCorrugated cardboard Paper, cardboard 800g – 1,200g
Shipping bag (poly mailer)250 x 350 mmLDPE (plastic)Plastics 10g – 20g
Packaging tape (per parcel)approx. 2 metres PP / PVC / paper Plastics 5g – 10g
Void fill per shipping parcel Paper / paper chipsPaper, cardboard 20g – 50g
Void fill per shipping parcel Cornstarch chips Other materials20g – 40g

Your benefits with the PreZero license calculator

Strong value for money

At €79.00 per year, PreZero offers a competitive entry-level rate. A compliant solution for small businesses, online retailers, and start-ups looking to meet their legal obligations efficiently.

Transparent pricing

No hidden fees. No complex flat-rate models. You pay based on the volumes you report, giving you full control over costs.

More liquidity through flexible volume planning

Our system supports flexible volume planning. Start with a realistic estimate of your planned volumes and report additional quantities later through the customer portal if needed. This helps you avoid tying up unnecessary capital and keeps your licensing aligned with how your business actually grows.

Frequently asked questions about packaging licensing for small businesses

Licensing obligations and legal requirements

All packaging that typically reaches private end consumers must be licensed. This includes sales packaging, secondary packaging, service packaging, and shipping packaging — including void fill. The obligation applies from the first gram.

Transport packaging, such as pallets, is currently exempt, as it remains within the trade chain and is not passed on to the end consumer.

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) means that companies are responsible for the full life cycle of their packaging. This includes financing and organizing collection, sorting, and recycling.

The Central Packaging Register Office (ZSVR) is the responsible authority in Germany. Through the LUCID register, it monitors compliance with these obligations and creates transparency in the market.

Breaches of the system participation obligation can lead to fines of up to €200,000. They can also result in legal warnings, sales restrictions, or marketplace suspensions on platforms such as Amazon or eBay.

Implementation and registration

Packaging licensing involves two steps:

  1. Register in the LUCID packaging register (ZSVR) 
  2. Sign a system participation agreement with a dual system such as PreZero 

Create an account in the LUCID register, enter your company details, and you will then receive your registration number.

Basic company information is publicly visible in the register, including company name, address, brands, and registration number. This transparency helps ensure that all companies comply with their legal obligations.

Using the PreZero license calculator

Choose the license year, enter your packaging volumes, and the calculator shows the price immediately. You can then complete the contract directly online.

You can pay by invoice, credit card, or PayPal. The contract runs for one calendar year at a time.

If you start during the year, the first year is charged pro rata as a partial year. From the following year onward, the regular annual cycle applies.

The notice period is three months.

Yes. Packaging volumes for previous years can be licensed retrospectively — helping to close existing gaps.

If you receive an error message such as "Server Error," we recommend clearing your browser cache or trying a different browser.

Do you have any questions about our licensing process, the license calculator or the dual system?

We make the licensing of your packaging as easy as possible for you and look forward to helping you with our expertise. Get in touch now.