FastItalian LearningSign in
PhrasesAt the Post OfficeVorrei spedire questo pacco.
A1formal

Vorrei spedire questo pacco.

I would like to send this parcel.

Pronunciation

PAC-co — the double 'c' is a strong geminate stop; stress on the first syllable.

When to use it

Use this when approaching the counter with a parcel. The clerk will weigh it, ask about contents, and recommend a service (pacco ordinario, pacco celere, etc.).

What it means

'Questo pacco' (this parcel) requires you to have the parcel with you. Italian post offices offer several parcel services: Pacco Ordinario (standard), Pacco Celere (express), and the commercial SDA courier service. Customs forms (moduli doganali) are required for non-EU destinations.

Variations

Quanto pesa il pacco?

How much does the parcel weigh?

The clerk will ask this — it's useful to know the answer in advance

Vorrei assicurare il pacco.

I'd like to insure the parcel.

'Assicurare' = to insure — available for valuable contents

Può imballarmi il pacco?

Can you package the parcel for me?

Some post offices offer packaging services for a fee

Mini Dialogue

— Vorrei spedire questo pacco. — Me lo metta sulla bilancia. Pesa due chili e trecento. Dove va? — A Berlino. — Pacco ordinario o celere? — Celere, per favore.

— I'd like to send this parcel. — Put it on the scale for me. It weighs two kilos three hundred. Where is it going? — To Berlin. — Standard or express parcel? — Express, please.

Cultural Note

Poste Italiane has significantly modernised its parcel service since partnering with SDA Express Courier, which it wholly owns. However, delivery reliability still varies by region — northern Italy tends to receive faster service than the south, a disparity that reflects broader infrastructure differences within the country.