Sending packages and mail to your student

From care packages to birthday gifts, sending something from home can feel like a nice gesture—however, it can be more expensive and tricky than you might expect.

Shipping fees, customs taxes, and local handling costs can add up quickly, and sometimes packages are delayed, lost, or held for pickup far from where your student lives. That can be stressful, especially when students are adjusting to a new country. That’s why we encourage families to avoid sending packages or mail unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Thoughtful and local gift alternatives

Over the years, we have gathered the following suggestions from past students and their families.

  • Digital gifts: Send an online gift card for local museums, restaurants, stores, or food delivery apps near them
  • Quick transfers: Apps like Venmo, PayPal, or direct bank transfers let students pick out what they need locally
  • Local delivery options: Many Scandinavian stores and European websites deliver directly within the country, saving time and customs hassle
  • A message means a lot: Sometimes the best “package” is a video call, note, or photo from home

If you still need to send a package

There are times when sending something from home is necessary, like important documents, essential personal items, or things your student can’t find locally. Here’s our best guidance for navigating Scandinavian shipping processes.

Choose the right shipping option

  • From the U.S., USPS usually works best, as it connects to the local PostNord system in Denmark or Sweden
  • Avoid private couriers like FedEx or UPS if possible. They can be much more expensive and harder for students to pick up

Check what’s allowed

  • Never send medication, as it’s illegal to ship medications to Scandinavia
  • Be aware that packages sent from outside the EU may incur customs and VAT fees, which your student must pay on arrival
  • For study-related materials to Denmark, you can write the Customs Procedure Code (CPC) 40-00-C06 clearly on the package to request VAT exemption

Use the correct address and contact information

  • Always address packages directly to your student’s housing. Include your student’s full housing address, local phone number, and email so that local carriers can contact your student about the status of their package.
  • Do not send packages to DIS. The only exception is if you are sending important legal documents (like a passport or credit cards), in which case, please contact us to confirm
  • Please note that due to privacy laws, you will need to ask your student directly for their address, as DIS is unable to share that information with family or friends.

Writing Swedish addresses

Swedish addresses are formatted as follows:

  • Your student’s name
  • Street address and number
  • Apartment number (you can write “Lgh” which stands for the Swedish word for apartment, lägenhet followed by the number)
  • Zip code and city
  • Sweden

Writing Danish addresses

Danish addresses are formatted as follows:

  • Building name if applicable (i.e. Nimbus Kollegium)
  • Your student’s name
  • Street address, number, and floor
  • Room number
  • Zip code and city (the zip code must come first)
  • Denmark

Help your student track the delivery

Encourage your student to follow tracking updates and watch for pickup notifications (which may be in Danish or Swedish — Google Translate can help). Packages are typically collected from a nearby post office, parcel shop, or grocery store.