Mail & Packages in Rome

It is very important that you read through the information on import taxes (below) before mailing anything to Italy. DO NOT mail anything of value to Italy. It is often much cheaper to buy things here than to pay for customs import fees. If you are having something mailed to you (other than a letter), have it sent through FedEx or DHL, and NOT through the US Post to the Italian mail service.

All American University of Rome (AUR) students should mail to campus:

AUR will inform you when mail arrives for you to pick up. 

[YOUR NAME]
c/o AUR Via Pietro Roselli 4
00153 ROMA – ITALY

Receiving Mail in Italy

If you get a package sent to you through the normal mail system (e.g. US Mail which then turns into Italian mail), they might ask you to bring your passport to pick up the package, and sometimes you might also need an Italian ID (your driver's license will usually suffice). In order to avoid any unnecessary delays and confusion, we recommend that you DON’T send or receive important packages through normal mail, but that you use private companies (FedEx, DHL, UPS). 

Surface mail and even airmail sent by regular post can take a long time to reach Florence. Remind people not to send you packages within the last month of the program. If delivery is delayed, you won’t receive the package before you leave. Please keep in mind that we cannot be held responsible for mail that is lost or never arrives.

Receiving documents or items of value

If you need to receive documents such as a credit card, birth certificate, university documents, etc. these should be sent by a service, such as UPS or Fedex. DO NOT SEND via US Mail. You may wish to consider paying for insurance. Parcels sent by regular post without registration stickers or insurance are not guaranteed by the US or Italian post. If these items are lost or stolen, they cannot do anything.

Tracking

Make sure that senders have tracking information for all packages sent to Italy in case they get lost. Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to track down a lost package from this end. The sender needs to contact the shipping agent.

Prescription Medication

Please note that it is illegal to send prescription medication through the mail. Students should bring enough medication with them to last for their entire period of study.

If you need to refill a prescription while in Italy, first try a pharmacy as some medications that need a prescription in the US are over-the-counter in Italy. If you cannot buy it directly, arrange a doctor’s appointment and bring a copy of the prescription you need refilled.

Mailing Items From Abroad

Letter Mail

If you only need francobolli (stamps), go to a nearby tabaccheria (a tobacco store). The price is the same as in the post office, and you’ll save yourself the headache of standing in line. Show the person behind the counter what you are mailing (postcard or letter) and the destination country and they’ll help you with the right postage. You can then send the card through one of the red mailboxes on the street. Mailbox map here!

Packages

Shipping gifts and clothing home is VERY expensive: it's often less expensive to pay to bring home an extra suitcase on the plane. Poste Italiane is the Italian postal system, and the least expensive option, but mail can take months to arrive and transit can be unreliable. Check online for the nearest office and hours, and note that they do not sell supplies in-store like in the US.

We recommend that you use a third party company like FedEx. Third-party shipping services tend to be more reliable and faster, but are usually more expensive.