Tips for sending mail

How to write addresses correctly? How to package items correctly? You can find the answers and tips here:

Domestic letters

  • Correct addressing
    The correct addressing helps your letter to arrive at the recipient without any delay. The main points can be found in the pdf file -> «Richtige Adressierung (german)»
  • Fonts and formats
    Please ensure that the address is perfectly legible. The address should be printed in a dark colour on a bright paper without disturbing characters or be written in legible hand writing.
  • Pre-franked envelopes
    Make your life easier: with pre-franked envelopes you always have envelopes at hand that are already prepaid. Another valuable tool: the directory of postcodes with all towns and villages in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein with its own postcode. Available at your post office.
    Details on the available sizes of pre-franked envelopes and on the postcode index can be found in the pdf. -> "Pre-franked envelopes and postcode index" (german).
  • Insufficient franking
    For every letter, which was not sufficiently franked or not franked at all, the sender is charged for the missing franking as well as a processing fee of CHF 0.50.
    If the sender is unknown, the recipient is charged the missing amount (without a surcharge).

Domestic parcels

  • Addressing and packaging
    Legible addresses and the correct packaging help your parcel to arrive at the recipient without delay. The most important tips and tricks can be found in the pdf  -> "Mailing Swiss-Express and parcels".
  • PostPac
    You want to send a parcel and don't have any suitable packaging to hand? The solution is PostPac. The eight different sizes are bound to include one that suits your needs.
  • Dangerous goods
    When sending "dangerous goods" special regulations apply.

Letters and parcels abroad

  • Franking
    Consignments sent abroad can be franked with one of the following types of franking:
    • Stamp (for URGENT consignments, PostPac International not possible)
    • Postage paid impression (P.P. = port payé) from 50 letters per order. If you cannot affix the PP impression yourself, there are special conditions available whereby Swiss Post will do the PP stamping for you. You can obtain information at your post office.
  • Non-franked or insufficient postage on consignments
    For consignments that have not been franked or have insufficient postage, the sender will be expected to pay the missing amount plus an additional fee of CHF 0.50. If the sender is unknown, the consignment will be taxed and the missing amount will be charged by Swiss Post to the recipient in the destination country.
  • Hazardous goods
    Substances and objects assigned to a hazardous goods class must not be sent abroad by postal channel, regardless of their quantity.
    In few exceptional cases, hazardous goods may be transported to certain countries in limited quantities after obtaining a mandatory special permit. You can find all information required in the pdf -> "Mailing hazardous goods by post channel"

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