Sending parcels abroad and forwarding mail when you move

Key rules

• Forwarding period: Reenvío Postal runs for 1, 3, 6 or 12 months, so pick the period that covers your address changes.
• Customs form: Parcels leaving the EU customs territory need a CN22 or CN23, and parcels to the Canary Islands, Ceuta, Melilla and the UK count.
• Banned items: Check the carrier's list and the destination's rules before packing, because each country adds its own bans.

Forward your mail with Correos

Order Reenvío Postal before you leave your old address. Correos forwards mail from the old address to the new one, whether the new address is in Spain or abroad.

• Period: you choose 1, 3, 6 or 12 months.
• Where to order: online on the Correos website, or at a branch.
• What to bring to a branch: your ID and proof of the address you are leaving.
• Price: it depends on the period and on whether the new address is in Spain or abroad. Expect tens of euros for a few months and more for a year. Ask Correos for the exact price for your period before you pay.

The documents list below shows what to carry. Also update your address directly with your bank, employer and other senders. Forwarding is a safety net, not a replacement.

Send a parcel abroad

You have two kinds of choice: Correos or a private carrier.

• Correos has economy, standard and premium international parcel services, plus Correos Express for faster delivery. It is usually the cheapest for light parcels, but slower.
• Private carriers such as DHL, UPS, FedEx, SEUR or GLS are usually faster and easier to track, but cost more. Comparison sites resell carrier rates and help you compare.

Price depends on weight, size, destination (EU, Europe outside the EU, rest of the world) and speed. Small parcels within the EU are usually cheapest. Heavy or intercontinental express parcels cost much more. Fuel surcharges, remote-area fees and insurance are often added, so ask about them before paying.

Customs forms

A parcel inside the EU customs territory needs no customs declaration. Outside it, you need one:

• CN22 for a small, low-value item (roughly up to 300 SDR, a standard international unit of value).
• CN23 for a higher-value parcel or commercial goods, usually with an invoice.

The Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla count as outside the EU customs area, so parcels there need a declaration. So do parcels to the UK. The post office or carrier can usually generate the forms online.

What you cannot post

Many items are banned or restricted. Check the carrier's list and the destination country's rules before you pack.

• Explosives, flammable or compressed substances, firearms, illegal drugs, counterfeit goods and cash are generally banned.
• Lithium batteries, perfume and aerosols are restricted, especially by air.
• Perishable food, medicines, alcohol, tobacco and plants are restricted, and each destination adds its own bans.

The FAQ below answers common cases, such as perfume, batteries and food.

Documents you need

• Your ID, to order mail forwarding (Reenvío Postal) at a Correos branch.

• Proof of your address, to order mail forwarding at a Correos branch.

• CN22 customs form for a small, low-value item sent outside the EU customs territory. The post office or carrier usually creates it online.

• CN23 customs form for a higher-value parcel or commercial goods sent outside the EU customs territory, plus an invoice where the destination asks for one.

Checklist

• Choose a forwarding period of 1, 3, 6 or 12 months for your mail at Correos.

• Order Reenvío Postal online on the Correos website, or at a branch with your ID and proof of address.

• Compare Correos with private carriers for your parcel's weight, size, destination and speed.

• Fill in a customs declaration if the parcel goes outside the EU customs territory, including the Canary Islands, Ceuta, Melilla and the UK.

Frequently asked questions

Can I post perfume, batteries or food abroad?

Perfume, batteries and food are restricted in international post, and food that spoils is generally banned. Perfumes and aerosols are restricted by air, and lithium batteries are restricted too. Each destination country adds its own bans, so check its rules and the carrier's list first.

Do I need a customs form to send a parcel to the Canary Islands?

Yes, a parcel to the Canary Islands needs a customs declaration because they sit outside the EU customs and VAT area. The same applies to Ceuta, Melilla and the UK. Parcels to other EU countries need none.

Which customs form do I use for a small gift sent outside the EU?

Use the CN22 form for a small, low-value item, and the CN23 for higher values or commercial goods. The CN22 is for items up to roughly 300 SDR, an international postal value unit. The post office or carrier usually creates the form online, and some countries also want an invoice.

Is Correos or a private carrier better for sending a light parcel abroad?

Correos is usually the cheapest choice for a light parcel, but it is slower. Private carriers such as DHL, UPS or SEUR cost more but are faster and trackable. Compare prices by weight, size and destination in each carrier's online calculator.