Get set to send

There are many ways to send items abroad. Some services may better suit sending one-off packages. Others may be ideal for small-scale sellers regularly dispatching their wares. The choice can be confusing to navigate. We’re here to help, no matter the size and frequency of your postal needs.

Do your research before you prepare to post

Avoid the frustration of arriving at a Post Office branch, only to discover you can’t send your package after all. A bit of research into the kind of items you can send, regulations for different destinations and customs forms can save you time when you’re ready to post.

Check you can send your item through the post

First things first, you’ll need to be sure you’re the item you’re sending can actually be posted.

Carriers can have different rules to what you can send. It’s also worth remembering that there can be differences in compensation offered for lost or damaged parcels, depending on the carrier you choose to use. Check what you can send with carriers who provide international postage at Post Office:

Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide prohibited and restricted items

Evri prohibited items and exemptions

Check the postal rules of the country you’re sending to

Each country has its own regulations when it comes to what you can send there. Restrictions may depend on contents, size and weight, so be sure you know before you post so your item will reach its destination successfully.

You might be able to send the item domestically, but what you can post differs by country. If you send a prohibited item, the carrier will deal with it, and this can include disposing of the package.

Do I need a customs form?

You’ll have to fill out a customs form for all items sent internationally, including to EU countries, except for letters and documents.

For Royal Mail services, you can either complete a form online or pick one up in branch. For a Parcelforce Worldwide customs form, visit us in branch.

Customs forms must be completed legibly with all the necessary details before arriving in branch to post your item.

If you’re using Parcels Online services to send items overseas, all customs details are completed during the booking process.

You can also send internationally with Royal Mail, Parcelforce Worldwide or Evri in-branch. You can find the nearest one to you with our branch finder. Ask for a paper customs form to fill out while you’re there.

Get your packages in perfect order for posting

Once you’ve completed the above steps, there are a few more things to you can do to make sure your item’s ready for dispatch. The following should help you perfect your posting. 

Pack your parcel securely

There’s nothing worse than receiving a damaged item through the post. To make sure your item arrives in pristine condition, there are a few simple steps you can take. Use packaging materials such as bubble wrap and polystyrene peanuts, but remember these can’t be recycled, so use sparingly or find green alternatives. Read our guide to how to pack your parcel.

Choosing the right posting service for your item

The next things to consider are how quickly you want your package to arrive and how much it will cost to send. But other things to think about are:

  • End-to-end tracking of your item
  • Compensation for loss or damage
  • Proof of delivery, such as a signature on arrival

Before you buy your postage, weigh and measure your package so you can choose the right service to send it by.

You can buy your postage online with DPD and Evri, print your label off at home, then simply drop your item at one of our branches and we’ll do the rest.

If you’re using our Royal Mail or Parcelforce Worldwide services, visit our webpage to see what options you have before you come in to purchase your postage in-branch.

Clearly address your package

Be sure to double check the delivery address before you send your parcel or letter. Some countries have a different format to the one we use in the UK, so be sure you’ve addressed your package correctly before you post it. We have a handy guide on how to address international mail.

Also include your contact information and return address on the back of the package. That way, if for some reason it can’t be delivered, it’ll be safely returned to you.

Choose your delivery service – online or in branch

You should now be all set to send. There’s a great deal of choice of services out there. You can fill in customs forms and buy postage online, then drop your items off in-branch for posting. All branches except Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide mail, while selected branches will take parcels for delivery by Evri.

If you find you’re sending items overseas more often, maybe consider signing up for a free Drop & Go account. This service lets you drop them off in branch and go. No waiting at the counter, scanning, weighing or adding postage labels. You can send items via Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide from any branch that offers Drop & Go, or choose DPD and Evri delivery services in selected branches.

Key takeaways

  • Check if you can post the item your destination country
  • Complete a customs form
  • Weigh your item and choose the right postage
  • Pack your item securely
  • Address your mail correctly
  • Choose your postal service, online or in branch