Does visiting the post office terrify you? Too many questions as for the type, speed, insurance
amount? You are not alone! Visiting the Czech post office may be an unpleasant experience even for a Czech speaker. Find below the breakdown of various types of letters, approximate cost and speed of delivery.

SENDING LETTERS
Some of the most common types of packages/letters:
ORDINARY LETTER (Obyčejné psaní)
Tracking: There is no tracking number provided for ordinary letters.
Speed of delivery: Two-speed delivery offered - you can have it delivered faster or at an economy speed for a lower price. Faster usually takes 1 working day, whilst the economy may take two working days.
Compensation: No compensation for lost or damaged items offered.
Maximum weight: 1kg
Price: depending on the weight of the package between 26-40 CZK for priority, 19-33 CZK for economy letters
Proof of delivery: none
When to opt for this: when sending postcards or non-important correspondence you would not mind getting lost.
REGISTERED LETTER (Doporučené psaní)
Tracking: Tracking number is received when sending the letter. These letters hardly ever get lost as they can be tracked (even online here.)
Speed of delivery: Two-speed delivery offered - you can have it delivered faster or at an economy speed for a lower price. Faster usually takes 1 working day, whilst the economy may take two working days.
Compensation: Compensation is offered in case of the letter not being delivered in an amount up to 1180 CZK
Maximum weight: 2,5 kg
Price: depending on the weight of the package between 56-81 CZK for priority, 52-74 CZK for economy letters
Proof of delivery: in the online track system (or email if holder of the customer card)
When to opt for this: when sending important mail, business correspondence, letters to the immigration authorities, goods to customers

INSURED LETTER (Cenné psaní)
Tracking: Tracking number is received when sending the letter. These letters hardly ever get lost as they can be tracked (even online here.)
Compensation: Compensation is offered in case of the letter not being delivered in an amount up to 1 mill CZK
Maximum weight: 2 kg
Price: depending on the weight of the package between 57-75 CZK - extra fee is charged for different values of the packages
Insurance: you can declare a value of the Insured Letter up to 1 mill. CZK
Proof of delivery: you receive a confirmation of delivery via post.
When to opt for this: for valuable goods, precious metals and stones, jewellery, money, payment cards, gift vouchers.
Express Mail Service (EMSka)
Tracking: Tracking number is received when sending the letter. These letters hardly ever get lost as they can be tracked (even online here.)
Speed of delivery: The Czech post office guarantees next working day (or Saturday) delivery by 2 PM.
Compensation: Compensation is offered in case of the letter not being delivered in an amount of the declared value (maximum 100 000 CZK) - extra fee is charged when declared value is above 50 000 CZK.
Maximum weight: 10 kg
Price: depending on the weight of the package between 159 - 269 CZK.
Proof of delivery: in the online track system (or email if holder of the customer card)
When to opt for this: when sending important mail, business correspondence, letters to the immigration authorities, goods to customers
OTHER INFORMATION
Podací lístek
- If you are not part of the Czech post club, you will also need to fill in so called "Podaci Lístek" - a confirmation of shipment. Once package received from the clerk, they will print some missing information on this note and give it back to you. This will serve as an official proof of sending/tracking.

<- this section is printed once shipment registered by the post officer. The highlighter code is the tracking number of your package/letter.
<- here you need to fill in information about the sender
<- here you need to fill in information about the addressee (recipient of the letter/package)
<- this section is printed once shipment registered by the post officer
www.ceskaposta.cz
How to write an address on an envelope?

- sender's address should be in the left upper corner
- addressee's address should be in the right bottom corner.
- Tip: if you have a file number of your case/application, make sure you add it. In this case, the letter will be handed over to the right person much faster!
Other services connected to letters/packages offered by the Czech post office for an extra fee:
- Fragile label
- Cash on Delivery - cash will be collected from the recipient during the delivery and then paid to the sender
- Delivery to the Addressee in person only - the package/letter can only be delivered to the addressee
- Delivery to the Addressee only - the package/letter can only be delivered to the addressee, his/her legal representative or other authorized person
- Certificate of delivery - the sender receives a written confirmation of delivery of the item to the recipient

RECEIVING LETTERS
- When delivering Ordinary package/letter - it will be placed into your mailbox. If your mailbox is too little, you will receive the below Notification.
- When delivering any other package/letter, the post man will have to give it to you (or your authorized representative in some cases) - if you are not at home during the delivery, you will find the below Notification in your mailbox.

What should I do with such notification?
Would different delivery day or a even a different address be more convenient for you? You can change the delivery online! (note that in some cases fee may apply!)
Do you wish to collect it in person? You surely can! Go to the post office mentioned in the notification (in this case 16000 Praha 6, Kafkova 102/19) to collect your letter. Don't forget to take some form of identification with you!

Sometimes letters are marked with a blue/red strip. These mark very important letters, i.e. from the court, Ministry of Interior or others. These letters usually contain some deadlines. The day of delivery is then marked as the first day of the deadline counting.
Was this article helpful? Did you ever have any issues at the Czech post office? Let me know in the comments below.
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