Service user guides

Download the International Business Parcels user guide (pdf, 3.51 MB) for detailed information on our Tracked, Signed and Standard (untracked) parcel delivery services.

Download the International Business Mail user guide (pdf, 1.34 MB) to find out about sending business letters abroad.

Want to find out more about our International Returns services?

International Business Parcels Returns user guide (pdf, 1.49 MB)

International Business Parcels Tracked Returns user guide (pdf, 533.61 KB)

Prohibited and restricted items

It is your responsibility to check if items you send are prohibited or subject to restrictions. See our prohibitions and restrictions guide for UK and international mail.

We restrict a lot of everyday items, including aerosols, nail varnishes, perfumes and aftershaves. However, business users can send some of these items to some European countries using our International Tracked and Signed service. For more details, check our International Business Parcels user guide (pdf, 3.51 MB).

Country guides

Read our detailed country guides to help you choose a mail service for your destination. You can also check if you need to fill out customs information, and read about prohibited and restricted items for that country.

New tax rules: From 1 December 2019 there are new Goods and Services Tax rules in New Zealand, which could affect you if you sell goods to New Zealand. Find out more

Addressing international mail

Read our guide to address formats, which tells you how to write addresses for 40 countries – to help us deliver your item quickly and to the right place.

World mail zones map

Royal Mail services are priced according to geographical zones: UK, Europe, and world zones 1 and 2.

View our map and tables of world zones

International incidents and public holidays

Sometimes incidents or ongoing situations in different countries can affect mail services, causing delays and other problems.

We regularly update our international incident bulletin. If you send a lot of items abroad – or frequently receive items from abroad – you may want to bookmark this page, and complete the form to receive email updates.

Public holidays can also delay mail - check this list of international holidays so that you can factor in more delivery time when needed.

International sanctions

Some countries and international organisations impose restrictions – also known as sanctions – on what you can send to certain individuals, organisations or destinations.

Sanctions can take many forms but are generally intended to prevent certain goods, services, finance and knowledge being supplied to particular recipients.

Read more about international sanctions