Deutsche Post Champions Global Push for Delivery Person Emoji, Highlighting Postal Workers’ Role in Everyday Life
In today’s digital world, emojis are a universal language that transcends borders and cultures. From expressing joy with a “tears of joy” face to offering encouragement with a “thumbs up,” these tiny pictograms have become an inseparable part of how billions of people communicate online. With more than 3,800 emojis officially recognized by the Unicode Consortium, nearly every emotion, activity, and profession seems to have its digital symbol—except for one surprisingly absent yet essential occupation: the postal and parcel delivery person.
Deutsche Post, one of the most recognized postal and logistics organizations in the world, has decided to change that. Together with several major postal services and international organizations such as the Universal Postal Union (UPU) and the International Post Corporation (IPC), Deutsche Post is lending its strong support to a campaign initiated by Austrian Post. The proposal aims to introduce a dedicated emoji that represents the millions of men and women who deliver mail and parcels globally—a group that includes over 5.3 million postal sector employees and millions more in the courier, express, and parcel (CEP) industries.
This global initiative seeks recognition for the delivery professionals who form an indispensable part of daily life—those who connect people and businesses through letters, packages, and essential goods. To amplify awareness, Deutsche Post is spotlighting the emoji campaign on World Post Day, celebrated every year on October 9. This day honors the universal service mission of postal organizations and their continued relevance in a fast-changing, digitally driven world.
A Symbol for Millions of Everyday Heroes
Benjamin Rasch, Head of Marketing for the German Postal and Parcel Division of DHL Group, emphasized the importance of recognizing delivery professionals through an official emoji.
“Whether it’s the joy of receiving a personal letter, sending important documents, or eagerly awaiting the delivery of ordered goods—the profession of the postal and parcel delivery person is an integral part of everyday life for people worldwide,” Rasch said. “The creation of a delivery emoji would allow billions of people to express their associated emotions in the digital world. We believe it’s time to give the people who deliver to homes and businesses in all weather conditions a face of their own with their own emoji.”
His remarks resonate deeply at a time when e-commerce has transformed global shopping habits and delivery personnel have become more visible and valued than ever before. These workers keep the wheels of logistics turning, ensuring that communication, commerce, and essential services reach even the most remote corners of the world. Yet, despite their vital contribution, the lack of a dedicated emoji means that one of society’s most universally recognized professions remains unrepresented in the language of modern communication.
A Widespread Coalition of Support
The campaign for a delivery person emoji has rapidly gained traction and support from across the global postal community. Alongside Deutsche Post, several other national postal services—including those from Egypt, Ireland, Latvia, Poland, Switzerland, Slovakia, and Slovenia—have joined forces with the Austrian Post, the original proponent of the initiative.
Backing has also come from influential organizations like the International Post Corporation (IPC), which represents leading postal companies across Europe, Asia, and North America; the Postal Union of the Americas, Spain, and Portugal (UPAEP), representing postal networks across the Americas; and UNI Global Union, a federation representing more than 20 million workers in 150 countries.
Such strong alignment from multiple continents underscores the universal appeal of the proposal. At the World Postal Congress held by the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in Dubai in late September 2025, a resolution supporting the emoji initiative was unanimously adopted by member countries—marking a significant milestone in the journey toward formal recognition.
This level of collective support is rare and reflects a shared desire among postal organizations to acknowledge their workforce in a meaningful, modern way. The emoji would not only celebrate the profession but also serve as a symbol of global connection—representing the human touch that powers the logistics and communication infrastructure of every country.
The Path to Emoji Approval: From Proposal to Your Keyboard
Creating an emoji might seem simple, but the process is governed by a detailed and standardized procedure overseen by the Unicode Consortium, the California-based non-profit organization responsible for maintaining the universal character set that makes digital text and symbols interoperable across platforms.
Every year, Unicode accepts proposals for new emojis that meet specific criteria, including distinctiveness, frequency of use, and global relevance. Submissions for the 2026 batch closed in July 2025, and the Austrian Post, supported by Deutsche Post, IPC, and UNI Global Union, officially submitted the proposal for the delivery person emoji before the deadline.
Over the coming months, the Unicode Consortium will review all applications through November 2025, evaluating them based on their originality, expected frequency of use, and capacity to fill a gap in existing emoji representation. If approved, Unicode will create a standard design draft, which will then be interpreted and adapted by major technology companies such as Apple, Google, Microsoft, WhatsApp, and Samsung. Each platform will design its own version while maintaining the core characteristics of the emoji to ensure recognizability and consistency across devices.
If all goes according to plan, the delivery person emoji could become available on smartphones worldwide by 2026. When that happens, it will join the ranks of other professional emojis—like teachers, firefighters, doctors, and police officers—symbolizing the people who keep societies running.
More Than a Symbol: A Digital Salute to Everyday Service
For Deutsche Post and its partners, this emoji represents more than just a new digital icon—it’s a heartfelt tribute to postal workers around the globe. The company hopes that by securing an official emoji, the public will gain a deeper appreciation for the essential yet often underappreciated role delivery professionals play in everyday life.
Postal and courier employees are often the invisible link in the chain of connection between loved ones, customers, and businesses. They operate through rain, snow, or scorching heat to ensure that parcels, letters, and vital goods reach their destinations safely and on time. By giving them a presence in the emoji keyboard, Deutsche Post believes society can honor their resilience, reliability, and community spirit.
The emoji also symbolizes the ongoing digital transformation of the postal industry, which has evolved from traditional mail delivery to become a critical player in e-commerce logistics, sustainable last-mile delivery, and global communication networks. As Rasch noted, emojis are not just fun—they are cultural markers of what society values. Including a delivery person emoji sends a message that service, connection, and reliability deserve recognition in both the real and digital worlds.
Recognition Through Representation
As the Unicode Consortium continues to review the proposal, the global postal community remains optimistic. Whether used to indicate a package delivery, thank a courier, or celebrate a long-awaited arrival, the emoji would carry a universal meaning understood across languages and cultures.
Deutsche Post’s support for the initiative is rooted in its broader mission to strengthen connections—between people, businesses, and communities. The company’s participation in this international movement demonstrates how even the smallest symbols can have global significance when they recognize the essential contributions of millions of workers worldwide.
If successful, the delivery person emoji will not only appear on screens across the world but also stand as a testament to the power of cooperation and shared purpose. It will celebrate the everyday heroes who make the world feel a little smaller, a little closer, and a lot more connected—one delivery at a time.