Dutch Postal Service: Mail and Packages Guide for Americans

Mail in the Netherlands works differently from the US in ways that are mostly better but occasionally baffling. No mailbox at the curb. No USPS. And the postal carrier comes on a bike.

After moving here on the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) visa, we had to learn a whole new system for sending and receiving mail and packages. Here is what we figured out.

How Dutch Mail Delivery Works

PostNL is the primary postal service in the Netherlands. Think of them as the Dutch equivalent of USPS, except they also dominate package delivery.

Regular mail (brieven):

Delivered Monday through Saturday (though Saturday delivery has been reduced)
Mail goes through a slot in your front door (brievenbus) or into a shared mailbox in apartment buildings
No mailbox at the curb like in the US
Standard delivery within the Netherlands takes one to two business days

Important mail you will receive:

Government letters (gemeente, Belastingdienst, IND)
Your DigiD activation code
Health insurance documents
Bank correspondence
Your residence permit card delivery notice

Pro Tip: Check your mail daily in the first few weeks after arriving. Your DigiD activation letter, BSN confirmation, and other critical documents all come by regular mail. Missing them can delay your entire setup process.

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Receiving Packages

Package delivery in the Netherlands is fast and frequent. The Dutch order online constantly, and the delivery infrastructure reflects it.

PostNL Packages

PostNL handles the majority of domestic packages. Their standard service:

Next-day delivery for orders placed before the cutoff time
Tracking via the PostNL app or website
Delivery to your door or a neighbor if you are not home
If nobody is home, they leave a note and the package goes to a pickup point

The neighbor system: This catches Americans off guard. If you are not home, the PostNL driver will try your neighbors. Your package might be two doors down. They leave a note in your mail slot telling you which neighbor has it. This is completely normal and expected.

DHL and Other Carriers

DHL is the second-largest delivery company in the Netherlands. Amazon, bol.com (the Dutch Amazon), and many other retailers use DHL.

Other carriers you might encounter:

DPD: Common for international packages
UPS: Used for some US-origin shipments
FedEx: Less common for domestic, but handles international deliveries
GLS: Occasional use by various retailers

Parcel Lockers and Pickup Points

If you are not home often, parcel lockers and pickup points are a lifesaver.

PostNL pickup points: Located in Albert Heijn supermarkets, Bruna shops, and other retail locations. You can set your default delivery preference to a pickup point near you.

DHL ServicePoints: Found in shops across the country. Similar concept to PostNL pickup points.

Amazon Lockers: Available in some locations if you order from Amazon.

What We Wish We Knew: Set up the PostNL and DHL apps immediately. You can redirect packages to pickup points, choose delivery time slots, and track everything in real time. This saves a lot of missed delivery frustration.

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Sending Mail and Packages

Domestic Mail

Sending a letter within the Netherlands:

Buy stamps at a supermarket, post office, or online (postzegel)
Drop your letter in an orange PostNL mailbox (they are everywhere)
It arrives in one to two business days

Stamps cost about one euro for a standard domestic letter. You can also buy stamps through the PostNL app and print them yourself.

Sending Packages Domestically

PostNL:

Drop off at a PostNL point (many in supermarkets)
Print a label at home or at a PostNL location
Prices start around 7 euros for small packages
Track and trace included

Bol.com sellers: If you sell on bol.com as part of your DAFT business, PostNL offers business accounts with discounted rates.

Sending Packages to the US

This is where costs add up. Sending packages from the Netherlands to the US:

PostNL International:

Small packet (up to 2 kg): around 15-25 euros
Parcel (up to 10 kg): around 30-50 euros
Delivery time: 5-10 business days

DHL Express:

Faster (2-4 business days) but more expensive
Better tracking and customs handling
Prices start around 40-50 euros for small packages

UPS/FedEx:

Comparable to DHL for international shipping
Useful if your US recipients prefer these carriers

Reality Check: International shipping costs from the Netherlands are significantly higher than what you might be used to in the US. Budget accordingly, especially around holidays when you are sending gifts home.

Receiving Packages from the US

Family and friends sending you packages from the US? Here is what to expect:

Customs and duties: Packages from outside the EU valued over 150 euros are subject to import duties and Dutch VAT (21%). The delivery company (PostNL, DHL) will collect these fees before delivering your package.

What this means in practice:

A package valued at 200 dollars might cost an additional 40-50 euros in duties and VAT
PostNL charges an administrative fee (around 4-13 euros) on top of the duties
You pay these fees upon delivery or at the pickup point

Tips for receiving US packages:

Ask senders to declare accurate values on customs forms
Mark packages as "gift" only if they genuinely are (customs checks this)
Consider using a reshipper service for large or frequent shipments
Some US retailers ship to the Netherlands with duties prepaid (DDP)

Your Address Format

Dutch addresses look different from US addresses. Make sure your family and friends format your address correctly:

Your Name
Streetname House-number
Postcode City
THE NETHERLANDS

Example:

Jane Smith
Keizersgracht 123-II
1015 CJ Amsterdam
THE NETHERLANDS

The "-II" or similar suffix indicates the floor (second floor in this case). This is critical for apartment deliveries. "hs" means ground floor (huis), "I" is first floor, and so on.

Make sure everyone sending you mail, including the gemeente and other government services, has your correct address with the right floor indicator.

Setting Up Mail Forwarding

When you first move, consider PostNL's mail forwarding service (verhuisservice). If you move within the Netherlands, this forwards mail from your old address to your new one for a set period.

If you are changing addresses, remember to update your registration at the gemeente. Your BSN stays the same, but your registered address needs to be current for government mail to reach you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I have US mail forwarded to the Netherlands? A: USPS does not forward mail internationally. You will need a mail forwarding service in the US that scans your mail and sends it digitally, or forwards physical mail to your Dutch address. Services like Traveling Mailbox or US Global Mail can handle this.

Q: What is a PostNL punt? A: A PostNL punt (point) is a retail location where you can send and pick up packages. They are usually inside supermarkets (especially Albert Heijn), bookstores, or other shops. There are thousands across the Netherlands, so there is almost certainly one within walking distance of your home.

Q: How does mail work in apartment buildings? A: Most apartment buildings have a shared mail area on the ground floor with individual letter boxes for each unit. Make sure your name is on your mailbox. If it is not labeled, PostNL carriers may not deliver to your unit.

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We're not immigration lawyers -- just Americans who did this. Requirements change, so verify with official sources.