Whether you're sending a gift to your grandmother or selling an item online, careful preparation helps prevent most problems. Before anything else, make sure your shipment is not prohibited or subject to any restrictions under postal transport regulations. Every carrier company lists prohibited and restricted items in its general terms and conditions, which are available online. Once you've checked this, here are the key points to consider before handing your parcel over to a postal operator.

Carrier companies offer different delivery options. The price you pay determines not only how your parcel will be handled, but also the level of tracking available and the compensation you may be entitled to in the event of loss or damage. Read the general terms and conditions carefully before making your choice.

Consult the terms and conditions of each operator: bpost, DHL Express, DHL eCommerce, DPD, FedEx, GLS, Mondial Relay, PostNL, UPS, etc.

Suitable packaging is your best protection. Your parcel will pass through several stages (sorting centres, loading, transport) and will need to withstand numerous transfers, handling, and pressure of all kinds. Every parcel should therefore be packaged particularly securely, so as to keep its contents perfectly intact.

A few basic rules:

• Protect the contents inside the parcel, not just the outer packaging;
• Adapt the packaging to the nature of the contents: fragile, liquid, perishable;
• Avoid using the original packaging of valuable items (such as mobile phones or electronic devices), as this may attract thieves.

Read our advice on how to package your parcels. You can also refer to bpost's packaging advice.

The recipient's address must be complete and legible: street, number, box number if applicable, postcode, town (country). Include your own return address as the sender.

Find out more about the correct way to write an address.

Delivery times announced by carrier companies are estimates and may vary depending on the time of year, weather conditions or destination. Always allow extra time, especially for deliveries to remote destinations or during busy periods. Always allow extra time, particularly for parcels sent to far-flung destinations or during busy periods. Also bear in mind that some international destinations may be less accessible or temporarily unavailable depending on the local situation.

If your recipient is outside the European Union, bear in mind any customs charges and export rules that apply in the destination country.

Find out more about customs charges.