Shipping to the Czech Republic: the complete guide

Shipping a parcel to the Czech Republic isn't hard. Here's what shipping options you have with Sendcloud, what characterizes Czech e-commerce, and what to keep in mind when you send your parcel.

The Czech Republic: a market on the rise in e-commerce

The Czech e-commerce market sits comfortably mid-table. Around half of Czechs (about 5.8 million people) shop online, generating revenue of roughly €3.3 billion. In concrete terms for your store: the Czech Republic deserves a place on your radar. It doesn't post huge revenues, but it's growing its volume by around 15% a year, and you can be part of that. If you're in electronics in particular, it can be an exciting market.

A quick portrait of the Czech Republic

With just over 10 million inhabitants, the Czech Republic isn't densely populated for its size. About a tenth of the population, 1.3 million people, live in the capital, Prague, famous for its beautiful old town and nightlife and popular with artists and creatives. Historically, the country comprises Bohemia, Moravia, and parts of Silesia, and it has been a member of the European Union since 2004.

How long does delivery to the Czech Republic take?

With most carriers, shipping to the Czech Republic doesn't take much longer than domestic shipping in a neighboring country. Details on transit times are in the carrier overview below. Have you considered express? It can be a useful addition to your options when customers want a product quickly.

Packets are a little cheaper than parcels but usually have longer transit times. Surprisingly, a packet to the Czech Republic takes barely longer than a parcel: 3 to 5 days rather than about 3. Since many customers care about every day, we tend to recommend shipping as a parcel.

The main carriers for shipping to the Czech Republic

DHL

With DHL, your shipment is handed to the Czech logistics company Professional Parcel Logistic (PPL), which DHL has owned since 2004, so in practice your parcel isn't passed to an external company. PPL delivers Monday to Friday and stores a parcel for 10 days if the first delivery attempt fails, after which it's returned and becomes a case for your international returns. DHL Parcel International suits small and large goods (max. 120 x 60 x 60 cm, up to 31.5 kg), and DHL Express is available for speed.

DPD

DPD offers sizes XS to XL, each up to 20 kg, with dimensions from 35 cm (shortest plus longest side) for XS up to 300 cm girth for XL, via its own network with standard and express options.

GLS

GLS delivers via its own network with EuroBusinessParcel (up to 40 kg; length 200 cm, height 60 cm, width 80 cm; girth up to 300 cm) and EuroExpressParcel (up to 50 kg), with next-day express available.

UPS

UPS handles larger, heavier goods: UPS Standard up to 70 kg, girth up to 400 cm, length up to 274 cm, plus UPS Express, UPS Express Saver, and UPS Worldwide Express Freight.

How much does shipping to the Czech Republic cost?

Shipping to the Czech Republic costs little more than to other European countries. As always, standard shipping is usually cheapest; a larger parcel, added insurance, or express all increase the price. It's good practice to offer customers options without overwhelming them, so they can choose the best delivery type, typically a simple split between standard and express. With Sendcloud you can pick whichever carrier offers the best rate for your product type, benefiting from pre-negotiated rates or easily connecting your own contracts.

Can a parcel to the Czech Republic be tracked?

Tracking is now standard for international shipping, and many customers value being able to follow their order, which builds trust and transparency. The one downside is carriers' own design, which is often clunky and pulls customers out of your store's world. With Sendcloud's track & trace you can create your own tracking pages and emails, add your Instagram feed or acquire newsletter subscribers, and turn the tracking page into an integrated part of your communication.

How to address a parcel to the Czech Republic

The address format is simple: the name and/or company at the top, followed by the street. In the Czech Republic there's often both a building number and a house number. A Czech address looks like this:

Jakub Svoboda
Šafaříkova 9/3
225 99 Praha
CZECH REPUBLIC

Public holidays in the Czech Republic

These public holidays can affect the delivery time of your parcels. Czech public holidays include New Year's Day and Restoration Day (January 1), Good Friday, Easter Monday, Labour Day (May 1), Victory Day (May 8), Saints Cyril and Methodius Day (July 5), Jan Hus Day (July 6), Czech Statehood Day (September 28), Independent Czechoslovak State Day (October 28), Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day (November 17), Christmas Eve (December 24), Christmas Day (December 25), and St. Stephen's Day (December 26). The movable holidays around Easter shift each year.

Are there restrictions when shipping to the Czech Republic?

Within the EU there are no customs and goods move freely, so you don't have to deal with customs documents like the commercial invoice or the customs declaration. Even so, some goods aren't intended for shipping, including live animals, dangerous goods, and cash. Here's a detailed overview:

Dangerous goods

• Adhesives, aerosol cans, ammunition, batteries, airbags, camping stoves, party poppers, cleaning agents and solvents, gas and compressed-air cylinders, fuel, dry ice, fire extinguishers, fireworks, curling irons, helium, infectious substances, insecticides, life jackets, liquid bleach and chlorine, magnets, nail polish, paint and turpentine, pepper spray, perfume and aftershave, radioactive substances, matches, seatbelts, thermometers

Inadmissible items

• Animals and animal products, body parts, precious metals and gold bars, dishwashers, refrigerators and freezers, tumble dryers, washing machines, televisions, ovens, firearms, illegal narcotics, knives and weapons, laboratory and medical samples, mattresses, money, unpackaged furniture, personal data, perishable foods, pornographic material, printer cartridges, postage stamps, tobacco

Restricted items

• Debit and credit cards, jewelry and watches, mobile phones, passports

When shipping outside the EU, check the restrictions that apply there and which documents and details (Incoterms, HS tariff codes, EORI number) are required.

Ready for your first parcel to the Czech Republic?

Transit times to the Czech Republic are competitive, and interest in online shopping there keeps growing, so you can count on an expanding target audience. Sendcloud helps you make the most of it with flexible carriers, smart shipping rules, a personalized tracking experience, and your own returns portal. Want to know more? Get in touch with our shipping experts.