Mail call! For any length of period you’re abroad, your friends, family, and loved ones may want to send you a care package, important mail, debit or credit cards, or even cell phones if you need a replacement.
We ask that you don’t ship anything to yourself prior to arrival as there won’t be anyone to receive the packages, so they might get lost or returned.
The main post office in Reutlingen is located near the train station. It is open from 08:00 to 18:30 Monday through Friday and 09:00 to 13:00 on Saturday. Closer to campus is the AGIP gas station which has a part time post office. If you receive a yellow slip from DHL because of a missed package, you will often be directed to AGIP rather than the official post office.
It is good to note that mail is more expensive in Germany than in the US. Standard Postcards are 0.75 Euro or more and standard letters can cost 1.50 Euro. If you plan on receiving packages in Reutlingen, please remember that customs might hold your package for multiple weeks and even charge a fee because there is a toll or tax on those items.
Below are some resources you may use and send to your family explaining the mailing process in different countries. The USPS has a great website with the Index of Countries that included postal codes, postage prices, and mailing conditions.
When shipping internationally, please make sure that your envelope or package has everything necessary to ship.
Please note, that when shipping cell phones, hefty customs taxes may be added on before you receive it. In some locations, you may have to go to the airport to pick up your package and pay the import/customs tax before collecting your mail.
Index of Countries and their postal codes, instructions
FedEx International Resource Center
Shipping Internationally with DHL; Customs Support
Travelling after the program for an extended period? Don’t want to carry your semester’s worth of luggage around with you and pay hefty luggage overage charges? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, you may want to look into whether or not luggage shipping services fit your travel needs.
No matter how long you are abroad, you should plan ahead and try to pack light to avoid needing to ship your luggage! You will acquire plenty of souvenirs and gifts while abroad, so make sure you have space for them when you return!
Here’s a list of companies that offer shipping services: