If you want to send a postcard or souvenir home from Korea, do not assume every shop can mail it for you. Confirm a nearby post office, prepare the recipient’s address, check packaging and service options, and keep the receipt in that order.
Identify the item and destination first
Separate a postcard, fragile souvenir and ordinary goods. The destination country may restrict food, batteries, liquids or plants, so ask the post office whether an item can be sent before packing it.
Prepare the recipient’s address in English
Write the name, building and unit, street and city, postal code, country and a reachable phone number on separate lines. If sending to accommodation, add check-in date and booking name, and compare the translated address with the original.
Ask the post office about packaging and service
Ask whether you need a box or cushioning, whether packing is available, and which ordinary, registered or trackable service fits. Delivery time varies by country and service, so leave a buffer instead of promising an arrival date.
Describe customs contents honestly
Do not change the contents, quantity or approximate value to make a parcel look different. Gifts can still be subject to the destination country’s customs rules. Ask when you do not understand a declaration field.
Keep the receipt and tracking number
Save the receipt, tracking number, posting date and destination address. A separate email or cloud note is safer than keeping the only record in luggage during your flight.
Leave time before departure
Check the post office’s hours, holidays and travel time from your accommodation. Do not leave packing and posting until the last airport transfer; keep a backup office or option if the first attempt fails.
GOOGLE MAPS
Save the post office and accommodation together
Save a nearby post office, your accommodation and the airport route on one map, and keep the English address in an offline note.
Google Maps ↗