At the Post Office
These phrases will help you navigate the post office confidently, from sending parcels abroad to picking up missed deliveries.
Key Phrases
Bonjour, je voudrais envoyer ce paquet aux États-Unis.
neutralHello, I would like to send this package to the United States.
The most standard way to state your main goal at the counter.
Bonjour, je souhaiterais envoyer ce colis à l'international.
politeHello, I would like to send this parcel internationally.
Using the conditional 'souhaiterais' makes this a very polite request to staff.
Est-ce qu'il faut que je le pèse avant de l'envoyer ?
neutralDo I need to weigh it before sending it?
Uses the subjunctive 'pèse', which is natural and expected in everyday spoken French here.
Est-ce que vous vendez des boîtes pour emballer ça ?
neutralDo you sell boxes to pack this?
Useful if you arrived with an unpacked item.
Comme c'est hors de l'Europe, je dois remplir ce formulaire de douane, c'est ça ?
neutralSince it's outside Europe, I have to fill out this customs form, right?
A natural way to confirm you have the right paperwork.
Ça mettra combien de temps pour arriver ?
casualHow much time will it take to arrive?
Very common everyday phrasing using the verb 'mettre' for time.
Pourriez-vous me confirmer le délai de livraison ?
politeCould you confirm the delivery time for me?
Good for professional or slightly more formal interactions.
Je voudrais un envoi avec un numéro de suivi, pour être sûr.
neutralI would like a shipment with a tracking number, to be sure.
Tracking is called 'le suivi' in French.
On peut le suivre en ligne avec ce tarif ?
casualCan we track it online with this rate?
Using 'on' instead of 'je' makes it sound very casual and native.
Bonjour, je voudrais un carnet de timbres, s'il vous plaît.
neutralHello, I would like a booklet of stamps, please.
Stamps are usually sold in a 'carnet' (booklet) of 10 or 12.
Il me faudrait dix timbres pour la France.
casualI need ten stamps for France.
'Il me faudrait' is a slightly less direct but very common way to say 'I need'.
J'ai reçu cet avis de passage, je viens récupérer un colis.
neutralI received this delivery notice, I've come to pick up a parcel.
Show the slip ('avis de passage') the postman left in your mailbox.
J'en ai pour combien en tout ?
casualHow much is that going to cost me in total?
A very idiomatic, everyday way to ask for the total price.
Ça fera quel prix au total avec le suivi ?
neutralWhat will the total price be with tracking?
A standard, polite way to verify the final amount with the clerk.