Ensure that your package is CLEARLY LABELLED (in both English and French) Tarif document – contenu = livre d’occasion Printed paper rate – contents = second-hand book
If you don't label your parcel "économique", French postal authorities assume you want to send it letter rate/airmail and will either surcharge the recipient or return it to you as underpaid.
If you weigh and stamp your package and have a friendly postman who you see when s/he delivers your mail, s/he will probably take your package and you'll never need to go to the post office again.
Hi! I will be visiting Paris next weekend and was wondering if I could send a book to Italy from there... Do I need to go to the post office or if I somehow get the stamps could I just label the packet and drop it in a mailbox? Thanks for your help! Andrea
If you weigh the package and look up the postage rate, then you can put stamps on the package and put it into a letterbox, but unless your book is very slim, it's unlikely to fit into a letterbox! This leaves you only with the option of handing it over at the post office. Whatever you do, ensure that the "economy" text above is clearly printed on your package.
You can buy stamps from any 'tabac' in France, but usually only the current inland letter rate 0.58€. You can use multiples of these to make up the postage for your package to Italy.
If you're staying in a hotel, then maybe the reception desk would hand your package to the postman for you. You can but ask!
Enjoy your visit to Paris. Check the weather forecast before you leave, as temperatures are dropping again!
Hi! I just came back :) I was able to send the book from the post office without any complications (I just pointed at the "économique" written in the envelope :P) Thanks for your help!