International Shipping from Mallorca: Sending Parcels and Letters Home

Once you live on Mallorca, you realise how much you still need to send and receive internationally. A birthday parcel to family in Ireland. A return to an online store in the UK. A box of homemade jam from your mum in Canada. Or a large shipment from a US retailer that does not deliver to Spain.

This guide covers everything you need to know: how to send items abroad from the island, which customs rules apply now that the UK has left the EU, how to handle returns, and what happens when a package arrives from outside the EU.

Sending from Mallorca: The Basics

You have two broad options for sending things internationally from Mallorca: Correos (the Spanish national postal service) and private couriers. Both work, but they suit different needs.

Correos is the default choice for everyday letters and smaller parcels. It is affordable, has dozens of offices across the island, and handles international shipments reliably. For non-urgent, lighter items it is hard to beat on price.

Couriers (SEUR, MRW, GLS, DHL, FedEx, UPS) are faster and often better for tracking, heavier items, and time-sensitive deliveries. They usually collect from your address or have dedicated service desks in Palma and the larger towns.

A key thing to know before you send anything: Spain is an EU member state, so sending within the EU is simple, with no customs paperwork. Sending to non-EU countries - including the UK since Brexit - requires customs declarations regardless of value or contents.

Correos: The Spanish Postal Service

Correos offices (oficinas de Correos) are found all over Mallorca. The main office in Palma is on Carrer de la Constitucio, close to the city centre. There are branches in Inca, Manacor, Calvia, Llucmajor, Alcudia, and most medium-sized towns. You can also book and pre-pay some international shipments online at correos.es and drop them at the nearest office or postbox.

Letters and Small Items

For sending documents, letters, and small lightweight items:

Carta Internacional is the standard letter format. You use the red postbox for international mail. For a standard letter to Europe (including the UK) you need the correct international postage - check the current rates at any Correos office as prices update each year.

Carta Internacional Prioritaria adds priority handling and is faster than standard post. It is worth the extra cost for anything time-sensitive.

Sobre Especial K is a padded A4 envelope from Correos that can hold documents, books, and flat items up to 1 kg. Reasonably priced and tracked.

Parcels: Paquete Azul vs. Paquete Prioritario

These are the two main parcel services at Correos:

Paquete Azul (Blue Parcel) is the economy option. It is cheaper and slower - typically 5 to 12 working days to the UK, 7 to 14 to North America and Australia. It is tracked and includes basic insurance. Good for non-urgent shipments where price matters more than speed.

Paquete Prioritario is the faster option. It costs more but typically arrives in 3 to 7 working days to European destinations, 5 to 10 working days further afield. Still significantly cheaper than DHL or FedEx for comparable weights.

Correos Price Ranges (2026 estimates)

These are approximate prices. Check the current tariff at your local office or on the Correos website, as rates change and depend on the exact destination country.

Format	Weight	Typical Price (2026)
Carta Prioritaria to UK	up to 20 g	around 2 to 3 EUR
Paquete Azul to UK	up to 2 kg	around 15 to 25 EUR
Paquete Azul to UK	up to 10 kg	around 40 to 60 EUR
Paquete Prioritario to UK	up to 2 kg	around 25 to 40 EUR
Paquete Azul to US/CA/AU	up to 2 kg	around 30 to 50 EUR
Paquete Azul to US/CA/AU	up to 10 kg	around 60 to 90 EUR

EMS (Express Mail Service)

Correos also offers EMS, which is the postal service's express product. It is faster than Paquete Prioritario but usually more expensive than a standard courier. Tracking is good and it is widely available to countries that have no direct courier presence. For unusual destinations (parts of Latin America, Africa, Southeast Asia), EMS is often the most practical option.

Courier Services on the Island

For time-sensitive, heavy, or high-value shipments, the private couriers are worth the extra cost. All the major names operate on Mallorca.

SEUR

SEUR (owned by DPD Group) is one of Spain's largest couriers and has good coverage across Mallorca, including collection from residential addresses. Their SEUR Internacional service connects to most European countries and beyond. Drop-off points are available in Palma and other towns - check the SEUR website for the current map. Prices for international economy shipments are competitive, and tracking is reliable.

MRW

MRW is a Spanish courier with strong Balearic coverage. They are particularly well regarded for same-day and next-day delivery within Spain. For international shipments they partner with larger networks. MRW has service points in Palma, Inca, Manacor, and other locations. Good for sending to mainland Spain and then having items forwarded internationally, or for domestic + international splits.

GLS

GLS focuses on European parcels at economy prices. If you are sending to Germany, France, the Netherlands, Ireland, or other mainland EU countries, GLS is often the cheapest courier option. Their drop-off network in Mallorca is smaller than SEUR or MRW but covers the main towns. Tracking is solid. For the UK, their prices are competitive for parcels up to 10 kg.

DHL Express

DHL Express is the premium choice for fast, tracked, insured international delivery. You can drop parcels at official DHL ServicePoints (there are several in Palma) or book a collection from your address. DHL Express is significantly more expensive than Correos or economy couriers, but it is the most reliable option for:

• High-value items that need proper insurance
• Time-critical deliveries (1 to 3 working days to most major destinations)
• Destinations where tracking and reliability matter most

DHL Express also handles the customs paperwork better than most alternatives - they have teams who deal with declarations daily and are good at flagging problems before a shipment is held.

FedEx and UPS

FedEx and UPS both operate in Spain with drop-off points and business-level collection services in Palma. For most private shipments from Mallorca, SEUR or DHL Express are more convenient because they have more service points on the island. FedEx and UPS are more commonly used by businesses sending regular international shipments. If you specifically need FedEx (for example, because a company has a return label issued by them), their drop-off points in Palma work fine.

Customs: EU vs. Non-EU Destinations

This is where things get more complicated - and where mistakes cost money.

Sending Within the EU (Ireland, Germany, France, etc.)

If you are sending to another EU country, no customs declarations are required. The EU single market means goods move freely between member states without border checks or duty. You do not fill in any customs forms. You just package, address, and send. Ireland, despite being the only English-speaking EU country, falls fully within this rule.

Pack your items, label them clearly, and use Correos or a courier as normal.

Sending to the UK (Post-Brexit Rules)

The UK left the EU's single market at the end of 2020. Since then, all shipments between Spain and the UK are treated as international exports, with full customs requirements. This catches a lot of expats off guard - particularly those who moved to Mallorca after Brexit and are used to frictionless EU shipping.

What this means in practice:

• Every parcel to the UK requires a customs declaration (CN22 or CN23 - see the next section)
• The UK charges import duty on goods above certain thresholds
• Parcels can be held in UK customs for inspection
• Processing times are longer than within the EU

Gift allowance for UK recipients: UK residents receiving gifts from abroad can receive items with a value up to GBP 39 duty-free. Above that, UK import duty and UK VAT (20%) apply. This threshold is low - a modest parcel of Spanish food or wine easily exceeds it.

Commercial goods: If you are sending anything that looks like it has been bought for resale, UK customs will treat it as a commercial import. Be clear in your customs declaration if items are personal effects, gifts, or unsolicited samples.

Sending to the US

The US has a relatively high de minimis threshold - goods sent as gifts with a declared value under USD 100 are generally duty-free for the US recipient. Above that, US customs duty applies at varying rates depending on the item category. The US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) makes the final call.

For personal effects and gifts, clearly mark items as such on the customs form. Do not mark commercial items as gifts.

Sending to Canada and Australia

Both Canada and Australia have customs thresholds for imported goods. For personal shipments and gifts, small-value items typically clear without issue. For larger or higher-value shipments, the recipient may be contacted by their national customs service to pay duty before the parcel is released.

Check with the relevant national customs agency (Canada Border Services Agency or Australian Border Force) for the current thresholds, as these change.

CN22 and CN23 Forms Explained

For any shipment to a non-EU country, you need to attach a customs declaration to the outside of the parcel. There are two forms:

CN22 is a small adhesive label for parcels up to 2 kg with a declared value under roughly 300 EUR (the exact threshold varies by destination). You fill it in at the post office or print it online. It covers:

• Sender and recipient details
• Contents description (be specific - not just "goods" or "gift", write what is actually inside)
• Declared value per item and total
• Whether the items are a gift, commercial sample, returned goods, or merchandise
• Your signature and date

CN23 is a larger form for heavier parcels or higher declared values. It requires more detail and is typically completed at the Correos desk or attached to the outside of a courier shipment. For courier shipments, the courier generates the electronic equivalent (a commercial invoice) and you fill in a form on their website or app.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Some items cannot be sent internationally from Spain regardless of the customs form. Common restrictions include:

• Alcohol and tobacco above personal-use quantities (rules vary by destination)
• Perishable food items (particularly meat, dairy, and fresh produce - strict rules apply to UK and non-EU countries)
• Plants and seeds (phytosanitary restrictions)
• Lithium batteries (especially loose batteries - airlines and postal services have strict rules)
• Firearms and ammunition
• Counterfeit goods

Correos staff will advise if you are unsure. For couriers, their online booking systems flag restricted items.

Returning Items to UK and US Online Stores

Online shopping gets complicated when you live in Spain but your main accounts are tied to a UK or US address. Returns to UK and US retailers from Mallorca require you to ship items back internationally - and that can cost more than the item is worth.

The Practical Options

Pre-paid return labels: Some UK and US retailers (Amazon UK, ASOS, certain others) provide pre-paid international return labels. Check the retailer's returns policy for Spain specifically - not all retailers extend their free UK/EU returns to Spain, even for EU residents. If a label is provided, attach it and drop the parcel at the specified carrier's drop-off point on Mallorca.

Courier return at your cost: If no pre-paid label is provided, you bear the return shipping cost. For a 2 to 5 kg parcel to the UK, expect to pay 20 to 45 EUR via SEUR or GLS. For the US, returns from Spain are expensive - often 40 to 80 EUR for a standard parcel. This is sometimes more than the item's value, so weigh the cost against the refund.

Shipping addresses and forwarding services: Some expats maintain a UK or US shipping address through a parcel forwarding service. This allows you to receive UK/US prices and free shipping thresholds, collect multiple items, and ship them in one consolidated parcel to Mallorca. Popular services include MyUS (for US), Stackry (for US), and various UK parcel forwarding companies. Costs add up, but for frequent shoppers buying from markets that do not deliver to Spain, it can be worth it.

Receiving Packages from Home

The reverse direction - receiving parcels from the UK, US, Canada, or Australia - involves its own customs rules that affect you as the recipient in Spain.

The EU De Minimis Threshold

The EU has a de minimis threshold of 150 EUR for customs duty on imports from outside the EU. This means:

• Goods with a declared value of 150 EUR or less are exempt from customs duty (but not necessarily from VAT)
• Goods above 150 EUR are subject to customs duty at the applicable rate for the item category

However - and this is important - VAT (IVA) applies to all imports from outside the EU regardless of value, including those below the 150 EUR threshold. Since July 2021, when the EU changed its e-commerce VAT rules, most online retailers shipping to EU addresses are required to collect VAT at the point of sale. This means you should see Spanish IVA (21% for most goods, 10% for some categories) charged at checkout by major international retailers.

If VAT is not collected at the point of sale, Correos or the courier may collect it from you on delivery. This is often a surprise for new arrivals.

Parcels from the UK

Since Brexit, UK to Spain is treated as a non-EU import. UK retailers shipping to Spain should ideally charge Spanish IVA at checkout. If they do not, you may face:

• A customs duty charge if the goods' declared value exceeds 150 EUR
• IVA collected by Correos or your courier before delivery
• A handling fee from Correos (typically 3 to 10 EUR) for administering the customs collection

For gifts sent by family in the UK: there is a small customs duty exemption for gifts (currently around 45 EUR declared value), but IVA is still technically due. In practice, small personal gifts under this threshold often clear without issue. Larger gifts or multiple items packed together are more likely to be flagged.

Parcels from the US, Canada, and Australia

The same EU import rules apply. Any item with a declared value above 150 EUR may attract customs duty. IVA applies regardless. High-value items (electronics, luxury goods, watches) are the most commonly flagged.

Tracking a Package Stuck in Spanish Customs

If your parcel is held at customs (retenido en aduana), the Correos tracking will show this. You will typically receive a paper notification by post with:

• The reference number for your customs case
• The amount of VAT or duty owed
• Instructions for paying and releasing the parcel

You usually have 30 days to pay before the parcel is returned to the sender. You can pay online or at the Correos office. If you have not received a notification and the tracking has not moved for more than a week, contact Correos customer service directly.

Practical Timelines and Costs

Here is a realistic summary of what to expect:

Route	Service	Typical Transit Time	Approximate Cost (2 kg)
Mallorca to UK	Correos Paquete Azul	5 to 10 working days	15 to 25 EUR
Mallorca to UK	SEUR/GLS economy	3 to 5 working days	20 to 35 EUR
Mallorca to UK	DHL Express	1 to 2 working days	40 to 60 EUR
Mallorca to US	Correos Paquete Azul	7 to 14 working days	30 to 50 EUR
Mallorca to US	DHL/FedEx Express	2 to 4 working days	60 to 100 EUR
Mallorca to Ireland	Correos Paquete Azul	4 to 8 working days	12 to 20 EUR
Mallorca to Ireland	GLS/SEUR economy	3 to 5 working days	15 to 25 EUR
Mallorca to Canada/AU	Correos Paquete Azul	10 to 20 working days	35 to 60 EUR
UK to Mallorca	Correos/courier	5 to 14 working days	varies

These are indicative prices and transit times based on 2026 rates. Actual costs depend on exact weight, dimensions, declared value, and current carrier pricing.

Tips for Stress-Free Shipping

Pack securely: International parcels go through more handling than domestic ones. Use double-walled boxes for anything fragile. Wrap items individually, use plenty of padding, and do not overfill boxes so they warp under weight.

Address clearly: Write the full address including the postal code (codigo postal), country name in full (REINO UNIDO for UK, ESTADOS UNIDOS for US), and your own return address on the outside. If shipping to a UK address, include the full postcode.

Keep your receipt: Correos and couriers give you a tracking number and a paper receipt. Keep both until the parcel is confirmed delivered. For high-value items, take a photo of the packed contents before sealing.

Use tracking: Even economy services from Correos usually include tracking now. Register on the Correos website to get push notifications. For couriers, download their app.

Declare accurately: Write a specific description of contents on the customs form. "Clothes" or "personal items" may lead to delays. "2 cotton T-shirts and 1 pair of trousers - value EUR 40" clears faster.

Send before holidays: International postal traffic spikes before Christmas and during summer. Add at least 3 to 5 extra working days to any estimates during peak periods.