Sending Letters Abroad — Postage, Time and Tips

Despite emails, messages and video calls, physical letters continue to play a unique role when the recipient lives in another country. A letter landing in the postbox of a relative living abroad, a friend on a study exchange, or a business contact overseas carries more weight — literally and emotionally — than a message that disappears into the feed. Many also choose the physical letter for practical reasons: authorities in some countries require original paper documents, and older recipients often appreciate holding something tangible.

Whatever the reason, there are a few things you need to know about postage, timing and addressing to make sure the letter arrives without issues.

Postage for letters sent abroad differs from domestic postage, and this is where many people get stuck before they've even reached the postbox.

What Does It Cost to Send a Letter Abroad

The price depends on weight, format and the destination country. PostNord usually divides the world into zones — the Nordics, the rest of Europe, and the rest of the world — each with its own price list. A standard letter within Europe generally costs less than an equivalent letter to, say, Asia or South America. If the letter exceeds a certain weight or thickness, extra postage is required, or it risks being held up or returned to sender.

If you'd rather not work out exactly how many stamps you need, you can let a service handle the entire franking process automatically based on the destination country — which is exactly what happens when you send via Posta Brev. You select the recipient's country when creating your letter, and the correct postage is added automatically. See current prices for different zones at /priser.

Digital Stamps — What Are They and When Do They Work

Digital stamps have become a popular way to avoid buying physical stamps in advance, but they primarily work for letters within Sweden. If your letter is going abroad, you'll need physical postage suited to the destination country instead. You can read more about how digital stamps work for domestic mail at /digitalt-frimarke — and if you're unsure which solution suits your letter, the simplest option is to let a service like Posta Brev choose the postage for you.

One of the most common questions is how long it takes before the letter reaches the recipient. The answer varies by destination, but here are some realistic guidelines.

Europe

Letters to the rest of the Nordics are usually delivered within three to five working days. To the rest of Europe, expect around five to eight working days, depending on customs handling and local postal systems in the destination country. Major holidays, such as Christmas and New Year, often extend delivery times as postal volumes surge — worth bearing in mind if you're planning to send a Christmas letter to relatives abroad. It's best to send it during the same week in November or early December to be safe, rather than waiting until the last minute.

The Rest of the World

For countries outside Europe, such as the US, Australia or countries in Asia, delivery times can range from one to three weeks. Some countries have stricter customs controls that extend the time further, particularly if the letter contains anything beyond ordinary paper. Plan well ahead if your letter is time-sensitive — for example, for a birthday or wedding abroad.

An incorrect or incomplete address is the most common reason letters are delayed or never arrive when sent internationally. A few things to keep in mind:

• Write the recipient's name, street address, postcode and city clearly and in the correct order according to the destination country's standard.
• Always write the country name in English or Swedish, ideally in capital letters at the bottom, e.g. FRANCE or GERMANY.
• Avoid abbreviations that could be misread in another country.
• Double-check the postcode format — some countries use a mix of letters and numbers.
• Include the sender's address on the back of the envelope, so the letter can be returned if something goes wrong.

When you create your letter digitally via /skapa-brev, you fill in the address details in clear fields, reducing the risk of formatting errors compared with writing directly on the envelope by hand.

Most standard letters — text, photos, cards and similar flat contents — pass through customs without issue in most countries. Problems usually arise when items, liquids, larger metal objects or valuables are enclosed in an ordinary envelope. If you're unsure whether the contents are allowed, stick to plain paper: letters, photos and cards. If you want to send something more, such as a gift, it's better to use a parcel with a proper customs declaration.

Writing a letter by hand, finding the right envelope, buying international stamps and then locating a postbox with the right collection times all takes time — especially if you don't do it often. With Posta Brev, you can instead:

1. Write the letter directly in your browser, or upload an already written document.
2. Select the destination country, so the correct postage and format are calculated automatically.
3. Have the letter printed, put in an envelope and posted for you via PostNord.

This means you can be sitting in Sweden at ten in the evening and still have a physical letter on its way to a friend in Spain or a colleague in Canada by the next working day. Want to try it yourself? Get started at /skapa-brev.

Some types of letters are sent abroad more often than others, and it's worth giving the content a little extra thought:

• Christmas letters to relatives abroad are often appreciated more than an email, as they feel like part of the festive celebration. Check out our guide at /julbrev for content inspiration.
• Thank-you letters after a visit or gift from friends living abroad are a simple way to show appreciation — see /tackbrev for concrete wording examples.
• Congratulation letters for weddings, graduations or anniversaries abroad often arrive in time if you plan the delivery period as outlined above — see /gratulationsbrev.
• Love letters to a partner studying or working abroad are one of the most common reasons for international post — read more at /karleksbrev.
• Letters to a relative in custody abroad require extra care with addressing and regulations, which we cover at /brev-till-intagen.

Whatever the letter type, the same basic principle applies: a clear address, correct postage for the destination country, and a bit of a time buffer.