NACE 53.2 – Other Postal and Courier Activities | Public Tenders

Definition: NACE 53.2 covers commercial courier, express and parcel services operating outside the statutory universal service. This includes same-day delivery, international express services and specialised courier services for public authorities and courts.

Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: January 2026

What does NACE 53.2 cover?

NACE 53.2 (Other postal and courier activities) classifies undertakings that provide courier, express and parcel services on a commercial competitive basis — without any statutory universal service obligation.

Group 53.2 within Section H (Transportation and storage) and Division 53 contains a single class:

The CEP market (courier, express, parcel) is one of the fastest-growing areas in the logistics sector. Public contracting authorities use CEP services for time-critical consignments that cannot be handled through standard postal channels.

Public Tenders: Activities under NACE 53.2

CEP services are tendered by public contracting authorities primarily for time-critical, confidential or particularly sensitive consignments — from court files to laboratory samples.

Typical types of contract

• Courier services for courts and public prosecutors: Delivery of confidential files, urgent service, errands between courts
• Document delivery for public authorities: Confidential transport of tender documents, official secrets, personal data
• Laboratory courier services: Transport of samples and specimens for public laboratories, public health offices, forensic institutes
• Express consignments for authorities: Same-day delivery for ministries, public offices, parliaments
• International express services: Diplomatic courier services, EU institutions, international organisations
• CEP framework agreements: Central framework agreements for the entire CEP requirement of an authority or several authorities

Thresholds and procedure types

CEP service contracts above EUR 221,000 (2024/2025) are subject to EU-wide tendering. For framework agreements, the estimated total value over the term is decisive. Courier services are frequently awarded under the open procedure or as simplified dynamic purchasing systems.

Relevant CPV codes for NACE 53.2

Current tenders can be found on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) as well as on national procurement platforms.

For whom is NACE 53.2 relevant in public procurement?

Public contracting authorities

The judiciary, law enforcement authorities and courts are particularly frequent contracting authorities for specialist courier services. In addition, federal ministries and subordinate authorities tender framework agreements for CEP services — in Germany often through the federal procurement office (BeschA). Health authorities, university hospitals and forensic institutes need certified transport services for biological samples.

Companies and bidders

CEP service providers wishing to participate in public tenders should consider the following requirements:

• Data protection and confidentiality: GDPR compliance, commitment to data secrecy, security clearance of staff
• Transit times and quality evidence: Evidence of delivery times (e.g. 99% same-day within defined areas)
• Tracking and consignment tracing: Real-time tracking systems with authority access
• Special transport: Where applicable, qualification for dangerous goods (ADR), temperature-controlled consignments, secure value transport

NACE 53.2 in context: Section H and Division 53

• NACE H – Transportation and storage: Parent section covering all transport activities
• NACE 53.1 – Postal activities under universal service obligation: Letter delivery, parcels by Deutsche Post/Österreichische Post
• NACE 52.2 – Support activities for transportation: Airport services, port services

Frequently asked questions about NACE 53.2 and public tenders

What distinguishes CEP services (NACE 53.2) from the universal postal service (NACE 53.1)?
NACE 53.2 providers are not subject to a statutory universal service obligation. They operate purely commercially but often offer faster, more flexible and more specialised services. In public procurement law, the same rules apply to both.

Can small courier companies participate in EU-wide tenders?
In principle, yes. For nationwide or large-volume tenders, however, evidence of nationwide delivery capacity is required. Bidding consortia also enable regional providers to participate.

How are laboratory courier services tendered?
Mostly as service contracts with specific requirements regarding temperature control, certifications (e.g. ADR, IATA dangerous goods regulations for biological substances) and documentation. Contracting authorities are public health offices, university hospitals and forensic institutes.

Are there exceptions to the tendering obligation for courier services?
Below the thresholds, national procurement rules may apply (e.g. UVgO in Germany). A complete exception exists only in very narrowly defined special cases (e.g. official secrecy under § 107 GWB).

Last updated: January 2026
All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.