Shipping a package in Dubrovnik

At some point during your stay in Dubrovnik, you might realize you’re carrying more than you arrived with. A few bottles of local wine, handmade ceramics, framed prints or gifts for home quickly start to feel risky to pack in a suitcase. In other cases, a parcel is already on its way and the delivery date doesn’t line up with your travel plans.

Dubrovnik offers several practical ways to send, receive or collect parcels while you’re here. You can go to one of the Croatian post offices, use parcel lockers, arrange a courier pickup or visit shops that take care of packing and shipping for you. Each option works better for certain items and timelines, depending on what you’re sending and how much flexibility you have.

Best places for shipping a package in Dubrovnik

1. Croatian Post (Hrvatska pošta)

Most visitors start with Croatian Post because it’s easy to find and works much like national post offices elsewhere. In Dubrovnik, several branches operate around the city, with the offices in Gruž and Lapad being the most convenient for travelers. These locations handle parcels daily and usually have longer working hours than smaller neighborhood offices.

You can recognize a Croatian post office by the yellow color of the logo above the entrance. You’ll often see signs reading Hrvatska pošta or simply Pošta.

Croatian Post handles both domestic and international shipments and provides boxes, tape, customs forms and labels on site. Staff are used to visitors sending souvenirs, bottles, documents or personal items and can help you choose the right packaging and service. For international parcels, you’ll usually be asked for your passport, so it’s best to bring it with you.

Post offices in Croatia also serve locals for bill payments and other administrative services. Because of this, waiting lines can be long, especially in the morning and around lunchtime. Late afternoon is often quieter. Card payments are generally accepted, but carrying some cash is useful in case systems are slow. If you pay extra for a priority service, it will usually shorten the delivery time and give you the option of the tracking updates. Before heading out, it’s worth checking opening hours online, as they change seasonally. In general, they’re open Monday to Tuesday from 8AM to 7PM, on Saturday usually until 1PM, while they’re always closed on Sundays and national holidays.

As the locals are already accustomed to, delivery times can be unpredictable, particularly for international parcels and delays do happen. For shipments within Croatia, Paket24 is a more reliable option if you’re sending something ahead to another city.

2. Parcel lockers (Paketomat)

Paketomat is the parcel locker system operated by Croatian Post (Hrvatska pošta). These lockers are located in several parts of Dubrovnik, most often in Lapad, near supermarkets, shopping centers, and newer residential areas. They are easy to recognize by the same yellow branding used by Croatian Post.

Paketomats work 24/7, which makes them useful if you don’t want to wait for a courier or stand in line at a post office. They can be used for both sending and receiving parcels, as long as the shipment is arranged through Croatian Post. There are also other providers of parcel locker systems available in Dubrovnik, so it’s best to go through Google Maps to check the one that’s the most convenient for you.

Regardless of the provider, collecting a parcel from a paketomat or any other parcel locker system is simple. Once the parcel arrives, you receive a code by SMS or email. Enter the code on the screen, the locker opens and you take your package. Sending a parcel works the same way in reverse: you prepare the shipment online, choose a locker location and place the parcel inside an available compartment. Just keep in mind that locker sizes are limited, so this option works best for smaller to medium parcels.

3. DHL Express

If you need to send something abroad quickly, DHL Express is one of the most reliable options in Dubrovnik. DHL specialises in urgent international shipping with detailed tracking from start to finish. This makes it suitable for important documents, electronics or valuable items that you don’t want to risk with slower services.

DHL doesn’t have a large walk-in office in the historic centre, but it works through local partners and arranges pickups from hotels and apartments. You might find this option helpful because it lets you avoid the need to travel across town with the parcel.

Delivery times to European destinations are usually fast and DHL prepares all required customs documents when you book online, which keeps the process simple.

4. Overseas Express

Overseas Express is the Croatian partner for UPS and FedEx, which means they handle these international shipments once they enter the country. Many travellers discover this through tracking updates, especially if they are receiving business packages or online orders sent through UPS or FedEx by default.

If you want to send a parcel using UPS or FedEx, Overseas Express can organise the shipment and help with the necessary documents. If you’re expecting a delivery from one of those carriers, Overseas Express will bring it to your accommodation or hold it at a pickup point if you’re not available. FedEx is available in some parts of Croatia, but at the time of writing this article it’s not yet available in Dubrovnik.

5. Mail Boxes Etc. (MBE)

Mail Boxes Etc. is very useful if you’re travelling with fragile souvenirs or items that need extra protection. Their staff provide professional packing using stronger materials than what you typically find in regular post offices and they work with several international couriers.

This service is ideal if you want to ship ceramics, framed art, bottles of olive oil or anything else that might not survive a long flight. MBE can also serve as a safe pickup location if you’re expecting a parcel and would rather not rely on delivery to your apartment.

Receiving a package in Dubrovnik

Receiving a parcel in Dubrovnik is straightforward once you choose the right delivery point. Hotels usually accept parcels for guests, which makes things simple if you’re staying in one. Private apartments vary. Some hosts handle deliveries for guests, while others prefer to avoid it. Deliveries to the Old Town can be complicated because couriers cannot drive into pedestrian streets, so parcels are often redirected or handed off in nearby accessible areas.

If you’re not sure how easy it is for a courier to reach your accommodation, using a paketomat, a post office or an MBE pickup point is usually the more reliable option. These locations keep the parcel secure until you’re ready to collect it.

Couriers typically deliver during the day. Traffic sometimes slows them down, especially in summer, and parcels may be redirected to a depot or post office if no one is available. Tracking updates will show the new pickup location.

Tips for shipping a package in Dubrovnik

Most travellers send parcels because they’ve purchased something too fragile or bulky to carry home. If that’s the case, make sure you have a good packing. Croatian Post sells boxes and bubble wrap, but if you’re sending wine, ceramics or artwork, MBE usually provides sturdier materials.

For international deliveries, you may need to fill out customs forms. Post office and courier staff help visitors complete them, and labels are usually bilingual. If you book online through DHL or UPS, the system prepares the customs forms automatically, so you only need to print and attach them.

Keep in mind that post offices in Dubrovnik can get busy in summer, especially the one near Gruž Harbour. Going early in the morning is usually easier. Courier pickups are flexible but may vary depending on the day. If you have a tight schedule, you might consider booking a pickup from your accommodation.

Best shipping options for visitors in Dubrovnik

Shipping a package in Dubrovnik is easier than it might seem. Croatian Post (Hrvatska Pošta) has offices scattered across the city, including in the Old Town, and handles standard domestic and international shipments without fuss. For faster or priority deliveries, DHL and Overseas Express are reliable and widely used.

If you’re out exploring and don’t want to wait in line, parcel lockers (Paketomati) let you drop off or pick up packages at any time. For fragile items, souvenirs, or anything that needs careful packing, MBE Dubrovnik offers professional packing and shipping services, taking care of the details so your parcel is ready to go.

With all these options, you can enjoy wandering the streets, sitting at a café on Stradun or taking in the views from Mount Srđ, knowing that your package is on its way.

Photography: Pixabay

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