Read this before mailing anything to Italy

written by Tiana Kai

Yahoo, I feel like a kid at camp again—thanks to my Mom.

I just checked the USPS website to track a package she sent us and it finally arrived. Only two weeks via snail mail and past customs, so not too bad.


We didn’t get candy, peanut butter or my special keratin shampoo, but we got books, a dress and a necklace! I know we can buy books here, but certain books in English are not that easy to find unless online. Regardless, they are gifts that we didn’t have to pay shipping on!

Well, not entirely—the joke’s on me since I had to pay € 10 for taxes. So, if you are all excited to pick up a ‘care’ package or whatever remember to bring your wallet with you to the post office!

Advice to anyone mailing an international package:

  • don’t mail cash
  • don’t gift wrap anything
  • don’t claim that anything is expensive on the customs form
  • remove all price tags and tags of any kind
  • mail it to a business to avoid lines at the post office

What issues have you experienced with an overseas package?

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4 comments

Emily McGee October 26, 2012 at 6:57 pm

Oh man, that happened to me when I was in Ghana. It was the worst because you couldn’t tell if the postal worker was being honest or just trying to rip me off because I was foreign. After that, I didn’t get any packages sent. I hope you find a better solution!

Reply
Tiana Kai October 28, 2012 at 3:33 pm

Oh my, that’s pretty bad too! I have read so many articles about packages not even making it abroad, not just Italy. Scary!

Reply
Tiana Kai August 17, 2013 at 7:49 pm

That is so random and funny actually. So you can’t mail ribbons for typewriters to Italy? That’s so random. Thanks for adding the link!

Reply
keane August 18, 2013 at 1:30 am

You’re very welcome. 🙂

Reply

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