GENERAL
PREPARATIONS
LIFE IN GENOA
MAIL/PACKAGES
Updated: 02 September2023
RECEIVING MAIL AND PACKAGES
Two things have happened that have changed our ability to receive mail and packages at the convent of S. Maria di Castello. The first is that there are fewer priests in the convent and the staff works part time. This means there is no one to receive or sign for packages on a regular basis. The second reason, thanks in part to COVID, is the explosion of Amazon deliveries which can come at any time of day and often outside of business hours.
You cannot receive 'mail' at your apartment, so we recommend having mail (only) sent to the convent. This would mean common mail, personal letters, birthday greetings, etc. Nothing of great value, nothing that requires a signature or that you can't track, and definitely no packages. Please let the program director know if you are expecting mail at the convent as the mailbox is not in FIU's rented spaces and is not checked regularly.
Mailing address:
Your name (recipient)
Florida International University Genoa Program
Convento di S. Maria di Castello
Salita di S. Maria di Castello, 15
16123 Genova
Italia
(and you need to include the line with 'convento' as the street address '15' is a large building with many apartments.)
PACKAGES
You may arrange to have packages delivered to your apartment (you must be there to sign for them) or to Mailboxes Etc., which is recommended. The FIU Genoa program has an agreement with Mailboxes Etc. to receive packages from any courier service, also USPS, but ONLY for packages. Use this information and address:
Your name (recipient)
Florida International University
Mail Boxes Etc. - Centro MBE 0035
Via Bartolomeo Bosco, 25/27
16121 Genova GE
Italia
Tel: +39 010 553 1500
Be sure you have a tracking number to follow the progress of the package. Mailboxes Etc. will not contact you when it arrives. When the tracking service indicates delivery has been made, go to the office on Via B. Bosco with passport to retrieve the package.
Speak with your US courier (or do online research) to determine the best way to declare the value of what you are shipping. Italy may (and probably will) charge a customs duty based on the value of items entering Italy, either value declared by sender or value determined by customs official. The duty can be modest to quite high. If a customs duty is charged it must be paid before delivery can be received. FIU and the FIU Genoa program are not responsible for the customs charges or the procedure of payment.
SENDING MAIL AND PACKAGES (FROM ITALY TO US)
The Italian postal service works fine although it may still be slower than US mail. All letters and post cards go airmail and take about 5-7 days to arrive. Stamps are bought at the tobacco shops (black sign with big white T) and letters dropped in the red mailboxes immediately outside. In general, one doesn't go to the post office to mail letters or cards, but you can.
STAMPS: Go to a tabaccheria, black sign with white T. Not all of them sell stamps, but most do. Better not to go to the post office for stamps due to the wait. The word for stamp: francobollo. Just hold up your letter so they know what you want.
For the downtown residents there are mailboxes on Via Dante (outside the main post office), in Piazza Cavour, Piazza Fontane Marose, Via Garibaldi, Piazzetta Jacopo da Varagine, and Piazza Sarzano, which is the closest mailbox to our facilities in the convent of S. Maria di Castello.
packages
Packages can be be sent home via package delivery or through the Italian postal service. For the Italian post office there is the main office on Via Dante.
For package delivery service there is Mailboxes Etc downtown (Via Bartolomeo Bosco, 21) that handles various services like FedEx and DHL. Very nice people and a few speak English.
sensitive or valuable contents
We caution you about having anyone send you a package with something valuable, like a camera, where a high value is declared and/or it is insured. Have the sender speak to the parcel delivery service for advice before you send it to avoid heavy custom charges in Italy.
Also, receiving a shipment of prescription drugs may create problems due to customs control. Please bring everything you need for prescription medicine, plus the prescription.