Mailing packages home from Paris.
 

Does anyone know how difficult it is to mail packages to the US from Paris? We may purchase some items that we want to mail home. My french is weak also, know just enough to get around.

It is very easy to do. Go to a La Poste and purchase whichever size box you need. We get the XL, which is 12x18x8 (if I remember correctly). They will give you a form to fill out, which is easy too. We purchase the box and take it back to our hotel or apt and fill it and then go back and just drop it off. That XL box cost 41 euro last summer. We have shipped this way on several trips and so far everything has made it home just fine, and within 7 days (to Oregon). The boxes have self adhesive tape on them so you don't need to bring packing supplies.

Is the postage already on the box?

hogs, the boxes are Colipost boxes, if they haven't changed the name in the past year or so. They come in different sizes, and every PO in France I've ever been in has those boxes posted in plain sight, with the price of the box clearly shown. It doesn't matter whether you pack them with silk scarves or books, the price of the box is the same. They may tell you it could take a few weeks to get to you, but it my experience they have usually arrived in a few days.

Hi hogs,
We shipped several boxes home from all over Europe last year and by far we had the best results when we shipped in France. Reasonable price, quick delivery, 10 days at most, no damage etc.

Just go to the post office and purchase the box which includes the shipping, then bring back to your room to pack or step aside like we did and pack it at the post office.

We did bring a roll of wide tape with us and I'm glad we did as the box was bursting at its seams and with out the extra tape probably would have come open.

Michele

This french boxiing system sounds a lot like the USPS Flat Rate Express Mail boxes that I've been using to send things around the US. Thanks for the tips! Hopefully they will recognize Hawaii as a state rather than a unique foreign country.

The boxes are called "Colissimo international".
Maximum weight for the US : 30 kg
Insurance is included (€23 per kg)