Correos tracking

What is Correos?

Correos, officially named Sociedad Estatal de Correos y Telégrafos, S.A., S.M.E., is the historic and official postal operator of Spain. Founded in 1716 under the reign of Philip V, this public company is one of the oldest postal institutions in Europe and one of the largest postal services in the world. Its headquarters are established in Madrid, and it also provides postal services to the Principality of Andorra under bilateral agreements.

The history of Correos dates back to a major turning point in the organization of Spanish postal services. With the change of dynasty at the beginning of the 18th century, the postal service ceased to be a concession granted by the monarch to noble families and became a Renta Real, that is, a royal revenue managed directly by the State. On July 8, 1716, King Philip V appointed Juan Tomás de Goyeneche as Chief Superintendent and General Administrator of post offices, thus marking the birth of Correos as a public service accessible to all Spanish citizens.

Today, Correos is a company owned 100% by the Spanish State through the SEPI group (Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales), a public holding that brings together fifteen companies with direct majority participation and employs more than 78,000 people in total. The Correos group itself has more than 53,000 employees distributed across Spanish territory and processes annually more than 5.4 billion shipments, making it a major player in postal logistics in Southern Europe.

• Date of creation: 1716, under the reign of Philip V of Spain, with the appointment of the first General Superintendent of Posts
• Legal form: State limited company (Sociedad Estatal), entirely public
• Parent company: SEPI Group (Sociedad Estatal de Participaciones Industriales)
• Headquarters: Madrid, Spain
• Workforce: More than 53,000 employees throughout Spain
• Annual volume: More than 5.4 billion shipments processed annually
• Network: More than 2,300 multiservice post offices and 6,670 rural service points

The Correos group is structured around several specialized subsidiaries to meet the different needs of the market. Correos Express provides urgent messaging and parcel delivery services with guaranteed delivery times. Correos Nexea focuses on B2B communication solutions and document management for businesses. Correos Telecom manages the group's telecommunications infrastructure. This organization allows Correos to offer a complete range of services ranging from traditional mail to e-commerce logistics, including digital traceability solutions.

As the designated postal operator in Spain, Correos assumes the central mission of ensuring universal postal service across the entire national territory, including low-density areas and island regions such as the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands. This universal service obligation guarantees every Spanish citizen access to basic postal services at affordable rates, regardless of their geographic location. The company has successfully evolved over the centuries to adapt to sector transformations, progressively integrating express mail from 1905, postal savings bank and cash on delivery in 1916, and the Postal Express service in 1981.

Which countries does Correos deliver to?

Correos has a particularly extensive geographic coverage, both in Spanish national territory and at the international level. In Spain, the carrier serves all municipalities in the country, from major metropolises such as Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia or Seville to the most remote villages in mountainous or rural regions. This exhaustive territorial coverage is based on a network of more than 2,300 multiservice post offices located in urban areas and 6,670 rural services that ensure distribution in less densely populated areas.

Correos' national coverage includes the Spanish Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands (Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza, Formentera), the Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro), as well as the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla located on the North African coast. The carrier also provides postal services to Andorra under a historic agreement between the two countries. This island and overseas presence requires specific logistics integrating regular maritime and air links to guarantee reasonable delivery times to these territories remote from the peninsula.

• Spanish mainland: Complete coverage of all provinces and municipalities, six days a week
• Balearic Islands: Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera with regular services
• Canary Islands: The seven main islands served with offers adapted to island constraints
• Ceuta and Melilla: Complete postal services to these Spanish autonomous cities
• Andorra: Coverage of Andorran territory as the designated postal operator
• Gibraltar: Deliveries possible with 24 to 48 hour delivery times depending on services
• Continental Portugal: Express and standard services with the Correos Express network

Internationally, Correos offers shipping services to more than 220 countries and territories worldwide through its vast network of postal partners. This global coverage is based on Universal Postal Union (UPU) agreements and bilateral conventions with national postal operators in each destination country. A parcel shipped from Spain to France is thus handled by La Poste for final distribution, while a shipment to the United States goes through USPS, and a parcel destined for the United Kingdom is delivered by Royal Mail.

For European destinations, Correos ensures regular links to all European Union countries as well as Switzerland, Norway and the United Kingdom. Delivery times to European countries generally range between 3 and 5 business days for standard services and can be reduced to 24-72 hours with express options. Shipments to North America, Latin America, Asia and Oceania also benefit from complete handling, with variable delivery times depending on the destination and service level chosen. Latin America is a particularly important market for Correos due to historical and linguistic ties between Spain and Spanish-speaking countries.

The traceability of international shipments is based on standardized data exchanges between postal operators. When destination networks publish information compatible with international standards, tracking events recorded abroad are reflected in Correos' tracking tool, allowing senders and recipients to observe the progress of their parcel even after it leaves Spanish territory. This interoperability of tracking systems is a major asset for cross-border e-commerce.

What are Correos' services and delivery times?

Correos offers a diverse range of postal and logistics services adapted to the different needs of individuals and professionals. The offering is divided into several main categories: mail and document services, national parcel solutions, international shipments and urgent express services. This segmentation allows each user to choose the service level most appropriate to their priorities in terms of delivery time, budget and guarantees.

For domestic shipments within Spain, Correos distinguishes several levels of service with different delivery times and rates. Paq Premium is the flagship offer for urgent shipments with guaranteed delivery in 24 to 48 hours across the entire mainland and to Andorra. Paq Estándar offers an economical alternative with slightly longer delivery times but more affordable rates. Paquete Azul is specifically designed for large or heavy shipments up to 20 kg with excellent value for money. Finally, Paq Ligero addresses small shipments of less than 2 kg.

• Paq Today: Same-day delivery in certain urban areas, for shipments up to 5 kg deposited before a time limit
• Paq Premium: Delivery in 24-48 hours in mainland Spain, Andorra and continental Portugal, up to 30 kg
• Paq Estándar: Economical option with delivery in 2-4 business days, up to 30 kg
• Paquete Azul: Economical service for shipments up to 20 kg, ideal for bulky parcels
• Paq Ligero: Light solution for small shipments up to 2 kg, very competitive rate

Delivery times for domestic shipments vary depending on the destination and service chosen. For intra-mainland links, Paq Premium guarantees next business day delivery for deposits made before the time limit. Shipments to the Balearics generally require an additional day due to maritime or air link. For the Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, delivery times are longer and vary between 2 and 5 business days depending on the service level. Saturday deliveries are possible for an additional fee for certain services such as Paq 24.

The Correos Express subsidiary offers urgent messaging services with precise hourly guarantees. The Paq 10 service guarantees delivery before 10:00 a.m. the next business day in provincial capitals and more than 500 municipalities. Paq 14 ensures delivery before 2:00 p.m. the following day on the mainland and Balearic Islands. Paq 24 offers delivery within 24 hours for mainland Spain and Portugal, and within 48 hours for more distant destinations such as the Canary Islands or Gibraltar. These express services include immediate recipient location in case of absence and two delivery attempts.

For international shipments, Correos declines its offering in three levels of service. Paq Internacional Premium ensures urgent home deliveries worldwide with delivery times of 3 to 10 business days depending on the destination. Paq Internacional Estándar offers 8 to 10 business days for major European and worldwide destinations. Paq Internacional Económico is the most affordable option for non-urgent shipments with longer delivery times. A Tarifa Plana (flat rate) option allows shipments to be sent at a fixed price according to the packaging format chosen, regardless of the destination worldwide.

Correos also offers specialized services to meet specific needs. Paq Maleta allows shipping of suitcases up to 25 kg with delivery in 24-48 hours, available in Spain and internationally. Paq Bicicleta is dedicated to bicycle transport with 3 to 4 day delivery times to Spain and Europe. The Correos Frío service ensures transport of products requiring real-time controlled cold chain. These offers demonstrate Correos' ability to adapt to market changes and diverse consumer expectations.

What are Correos' rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

Correos' rates vary depending on the service chosen, the weight of the shipment, its dimensions and the destination. The company regularly updates its pricing schedule, with annual adjustments to national and international parcel services. For standard mail, the rate for a normalized standard domestic letter up to 20 grams is approximately 0.96 euros. Spain remains among the European Union countries offering the most affordable postal rates, well below the European average.

For national parcel shipments with the Paq Premium service, rates for intra-mainland deliveries or to Andorra are as follows: up to 1 kg, the rate is approximately 15 euros; from 1 to 5 kg, it increases to approximately 18 euros; from 5 to 10 kg, the cost rises to approximately 24 euros; from 10 to 15 kg, expect approximately 28 euros; from 15 to 20 kg, the rate reaches approximately 34 euros; from 20 to 25 kg, plan for approximately 40 euros; and from 25 to 30 kg, the price is approximately 47 euros. Beyond 30 kg, an additional charge of approximately 1.30 euros per additional kilogram applies.

• Standard domestic letter: Approximately 0.96 € for a normalized shipment up to 20 grams
• Paq Premium intra-mainland: From 14.59 € (up to 1 kg) to 46.56 € (25-30 kg)
• National Paquete Azul: Rate calculated on the basis of 4 times the tarifa abonada
• Standard international shipment to Europe: From approximately 12 € for a 1 kg parcel to major European destinations
• International shipment to United States: From approximately 19 € for a 1 kg parcel

The maximum dimensions and weight accepted by Correos depend on the service type. For Paq Premium and Paq Estándar services, the maximum authorized weight is 30 kg. Standard dimensions must comply with the following rule: the sum Length + Height + Width must not exceed 200 cm, without any individual dimension exceeding 105 cm. However, it is possible to add a Máximo Extra option for an additional 35% charge if the sum of dimensions reaches 300 cm, or if one of the dimensions approaches 240 cm. By combining the two exceeding options, the additional charge reaches 70% of the base rate.

The Paquete Azul service accepts shipments up to 20 kg of actual weight and 50 kg of volumetric weight. Dimensions must comply with the following limit: Length + Height + Width less than or equal to 200 cm, without any dimension exceeding 100 cm. For the Paq Ligero service intended for small shipments, the maximum weight is 2 kg with minimum dimensions of 15 x 10 cm. Mail shipments are limited to 2 kg with a sum of dimensions not exceeding 90 cm and no dimension greater than 60 cm.

For international shipments, the limits are generally 30 kg of actual weight, depending on the destination country. Maximum dimensions are identical to standard domestic shipments: Length + Width + Height less than or equal to 200 cm, without the largest dimension exceeding 105 cm. It should be noted that Correos also applies the concept of volumetric weight for bulky but light parcels. This volumetric weight is calculated according to the formula: (Length x Height x Width in cm) divided by 6,000. If volumetric weight is greater than actual weight, volumetric weight forms the basis for pricing.

Mailing tubes, used to ship posters or rolled documents, are subject to specific restrictions: they must not exceed 104 centimeters in length plus twice the diameter, and the longest dimension must remain less than 90 centimeters. These particular formats may be subject to additional charges due to their specific handling in automated sorting centers.

What are Correos' delivery options?

Correos offers great flexibility in how shipments are received, allowing recipients to choose the option best suited to their lifestyle and personal constraints. Home delivery is the default option for most services, with direct delivery to the recipient or in the mailbox depending on the format and nature of the shipment. For parcels requiring a signature, the mail carrier or delivery person proceeds with hand delivery against receipt, ensuring proof of delivery.

The CityPaq network represents one of Correos' major innovations in parcel reception. These are automated lockers, or taquillas inteligentes, installed in strategic locations such as post offices, train stations, shopping centers, supermarkets and other busy establishments. These lockers allow parcels to be collected 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, offering complete freedom from traditional delivery schedules. The recipient receives a code by SMS or email that they simply need to scan on the locker to open the corresponding compartment.

• Home delivery: Direct delivery to the indicated address, in person or in the mailbox depending on the service
• CityPaq lockers: Self-service collection 24/7 in automated compartments
• Post office: Collection at the counter in one of the 2,300 Correos offices
• Collection points: Network of more than 17,000 partner pickup points in Spain
• Scheduled delivery: Possibility to choose a time slot for certain services

CityPaq lockers accept parcels up to 30 kg in weight. Small compartments can accommodate parcels measuring up to 60 cm x 49 cm x 40 cm (height x width x depth), while large compartments accept dimensions up to 74 cm x 42 cm x 60 cm. The time to make available in locker is five calendar days. Beyond this period, the parcel is transferred to the post office attached to the locker, where it remains available for an additional fifteen days before being returned to the sender. Use of CityPaq lockers is free for recipients.

In the event of the recipient's absence during the first home delivery attempt, Correos leaves a delivery notice indicating the conditions for pickup or rescheduling. The recipient can then choose between several options: another delivery attempt on the next business day, pickup at the local post office, deposit in a CityPaq locker if the format allows, or redirection to another address. These choices can generally be made via the Correos mobile app, website or by phone to customer service.

Correos Express services offer additional features for managing deliveries. The real-time location system allows the recipient to be contacted in real time in case of delivery difficulty. Two delivery attempts are included in standard services, with the option to add a Saturday delivery for an additional charge for ePaq24 and Paq24 services. SMS and email notifications keep recipients informed of the progress of their parcel and any actions to be taken.

For professional and e-commerce shipments, Correos provides a database of delivery points (PUDO - Pick-Up/Drop-Off) allowing online sellers to offer their customers a wide choice of pickup locations. This database includes post offices, CityPaq lockers and the network of partner relay points, representing a total of more than 17,000 access points spread across Spanish territory. Merchants can thus offer flexible delivery experience adapted to each customer's preferences.

What should I do if my Correos parcel is lost or damaged?

In case of loss or damage to a Correos shipment, it is essential to know the complaint procedures and compensation rights. The process must be initiated by the sender, who is Correos' contractual customer. However, the recipient can report a problem noted upon receipt and must take certain immediate precautions to preserve their rights, notably by checking the parcel's condition in the presence of the delivery person and making written reservations on the delivery slip in case of apparent damage.

To file a complaint with Correos, several channels are available. The online form on the correos.es website allows you to register a request electronically with a file number assigned for tracking. The free customer service phone line at 900 400 004 (or +34 915 197 197 from abroad) offers personalized assistance. It is also possible to visit any Correos post office to file a complaint in person with the assistance of an advisor.

• Complaint deadline for domestic shipment: Minimum 3 days, maximum 1 year from the date of acceptance
• Complaint deadline for international shipment: Minimum 15 days, maximum 6 months from the date of acceptance
• Damaged parcel: Make reservations at delivery and report within 24-48 hours
• Average processing time: Approximately 1 week for standard cases
• Documents to provide: Proof of shipment, description of contents, value statements if insured

Compensation provided by Correos varies depending on the type of shipment and service subscribed. For standard domestic shipments, compensation is calculated on the basis of 6.67 euros per kilogram charged, plus reimbursement of the postage. Minimum compensation of 40 euros is guaranteed for individual customers using the Paq Premium service, even if weight-based calculation results in a lower amount. For Paquete Azul, compensation corresponds to four times the rate paid, plus the declared value if this option was subscribed.

For international shipments, the compensation system follows Universal Postal Union rules. Basic compensation includes the rate paid, plus 40 SDRs (Special Drawing Rights), plus 4.5 SDRs per kilogram. The SDR value is set regularly by the UPU and generally stands around 1.20 euros. If the shipment had insurance or declared value coverage (up to 3,000 euros maximum), compensation will correspond to the rate plus the insured or declared amount. In all cases, providing value justification (proof of purchase, certificate of value) will be required to process the file.

In case of a dispute unresolved by Correos' customer service, several remedies are available. The Postal User Office (Oficina de Atención al Usuario Postal) can be approached for mediation. The Transport Arbitration Boards (Juntas Arbitrales de Transporte), present in each Spanish autonomous community, are competent to settle disputes not exceeding 15,000 euros. Consumer associations can also assist users in their proceedings. According to the Universal Postal Service Plan, the operator must pay compensation within a maximum of one month after favorable assessment of the complaint.

To prevent risks of loss or damage, Correos offers several additional protection options. Parcel insurance covers the actual value of goods up to 3,000 euros. Declared value commits the carrier's liability to the stated amount. These optional guarantees are particularly recommended for shipments of value or fragile goods. Careful and appropriate packaging adapted to the contents remains in all cases the first protection against transport damage.

Does Correos handle international shipments and customs procedures?

Correos provides complete handling of international shipments, including management of customs procedures for shipments destined for countries located outside the European Union or originating from such countries. As Spain's designated postal operator, Correos is authorized to make customs declarations, present shipments to competent authorities and collect duties and taxes on behalf of recipients during import operations.

For shipments to countries outside the EU, the sender must attach a customs declaration to their parcel. Depending on the value and weight of the shipment, this will be a CN22 form for small shipments up to 2 kg and a value of less than 425 euros, or a CN23 form for larger shipments. These declarations must specify the nature of goods, their value, their weight and their country of origin. Prior transmission of electronic data (ITMATT) is now mandatory for most destinations to facilitate pre-clearance.

• CN22 form: For shipments up to 2 kg and value less than 425 euros
• CN23 form: For shipments of 2 to 30 kg or value greater than 425 euros
• Commercial invoice: Required for commercial shipments or value greater than 380 euros
• Prior electronic data: ITMATT transmission required before shipment to most destinations
• EORI number: Necessary for businesses conducting regular commercial operations

On import, any merchandise entering Spain from a non-EU country is subject to customs control. This also includes shipments from the Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, which benefit from a special tax regime. The recipient must pay customs duties (community tax applied according to the type of goods), import VAT (21% in mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands), and where applicable, excise taxes on certain products such as tobacco or alcohol. Correos management fees for DUA (Documento Único Administrativo) processing are added to these taxes.

Since July 1, 2021, European regulations introduced new rules for low-value shipments. For parcels with a value of 150 euros or less, two VAT payment mechanisms are possible: either payment to Correos upon merchandise arrival, or advance payment to the online sales platform at the time of purchase if it is registered in the IOSS system. For shipments exceeding 150 euros, the standard regime applies with DUA declaration, payment of duties and taxes by the recipient and file fees.

Correos proposes to simplify these formalities by acting as the recipient's customs representative. Via the Correos mobile app or Correos Aduanas web portal, the recipient can track shipments subject to customs control, upload required documents (payment receipt, invoice, value declaration), authorize Correos to proceed with customs clearance and pay taxes due by credit card. For shipments not exceeding 150 euros, the entire procedure can be completed from the app. Beyond this threshold or for complex cases, processing is done via the dedicated web portal.

Since Brexit came into force on January 1, 2021, shipments from or to the United Kingdom (excluding Northern Ireland) are subject to the same customs procedures as non-EU shipments. The recipient in Spain must therefore pay customs duties, VAT and customs clearance fees for any parcel containing goods from the United Kingdom. This regulatory change significantly impacted trade flows between Spain and the United Kingdom, and Correos adapted its processes to support users in these new administrative constraints.

Understanding tracking statuses

When you track a Correos parcel online, different statuses may appear to inform you of the progress of your shipment through the various logistics stages. These messages, available on the correos.es website, mobile app or via universal tracking platforms, trace the complete journey of the parcel from deposit to final delivery. Here are the main Correos tracking statuses and their meanings: