Czech Postal System

Written by David Creighton
for Expats.cz

A visit to a Czech post office can have you sometimes wondering if Czech Post (Česká pošta) operates in a sort of parallel universe, although actually it’s a reasonably efficient organisation. There are a few annoying peculiarities that can catch you out, so here are some hints to help you try and avoid these problems. Remember that post office staff are often monolingual, so you might consider taking a Czech with you to avoid any misunderstandings.

Like anywhere else, Czech post offices don’t just provide basic postal services. You can also pay your telephone bill or make a donation to charity at them. Some counters deal only with certain services, so you need to be sure know where to go. In bigger post offices, such as the main P.O. in Prague (Jindřišská 14, Prague 1), there is an automated ticketing system, with information in English about the various services. In smaller post offices it’s less obvious finding your way around.

• A counter with lištovní služby displayed above it means you can buy stamps there and send items recorded delivery.
• Balíkové služby is where to send individual parcels. This is also where to bring the notification slip you get in your mailbox when you are the receiever of a package. After searching a while, the clerk goes to the back room and (hopefully) returns with your parcel. Be advised, though, that they sometimes ask you to pay a fee to cover customs then and there - especially if the contents of the package are valuable or new. Also, you must have a passport or other ID.
• If the counter has výplata poukázek displayed above it then you can pay bills there.

Paying Bills

You can pay all kinds of bills at the post office, and regardless of whether it’s a gas or phone bill, you will pay through a poštovní poukázka (postal order), a rectangular pink slip with boxes galore. The order most commonly appears in the form of Poštovní poukázka A. You’ll find plenty of these in post offices; it‘s wise to pick up a bunch. Post office staff can be awkward if you don’t fill out the form correctly so make sure everything is correct and use your best handwriting (or else).

The coupon has a stub on the left-hand side which you keep for your records. The main part of the coupon is kept by the post office. You should fill out both sections. Phone, electricity bills etc. will include a postal order, with all the details printed on it, so that all you need to do is to take the bill to the post office with the relevant amount and pay it at the counter. Paying this way means you don’t need to fill in anything. Remember however, once it's filled in, the postal person will run the poukázka (postal order) through the printer and give you the receipt - so don't rip it off yourself.

If you have to fill out an order manually, you should make sure you have all the relevant information beforehand. Remember that, depending on what you are paying, not all the details mentioned below may be needed. If you are filling out a number which is less than the number of boxes for it you should fill the remaining boxes with zeros on the left-hand side. The boxes in the middle, marked by Zpráva pro příjemce... and Vyplní plátce...should be left blank.

Here is a list of the important items:

A. Boxes with částka and kč/h: the amount

B. V prospěch účtu: pyee account number and bank code

C. Kód banky: Bank code identification number (ie. 2400 is E-anka)

The bank code is a four-digit number which is shown after an account number and separated from it by a slash symbol.

D. K(onstantní) symbol: Identification (not always needed)

E. Variabilní: symbol: Variable symbol. Identification code - usually the number of an invoice

F. Specifický symbol: Specific symbol. A code relating to the type of payment (leave blank if not provided)

G. Adresa majitele účtu: The address of the payee

H. Účel platby: Literally purpose of account. You can just write ‘telephone bill’, ‘rent’ etc

I. Slovy: write out the amount in words

J. Č. Účtu/ Kód banky: bank account: payee bank account number.

Stamps (známky)

It seems to be an unwritten rule of any Czech Post office that you need to queue for ages, so if you’re buying stamps it’s wise to buy a few at a time. The minimum price for sending a letter within the Czech Republic is CZK 7.50; for sending a letter abroad it’s CZK 9 for EU destinations and CZK 14 for all other destinations.

Addresses

The address should be written in the bottom right-hand corner. Sender details should be written on a letter or parcel too, in the top left-hand corner.

Post Codes (Zip Codes)

Post codes are essential, otherwise letters do go walkabout. If you don’t know the code there is a desk at the main post office in Prague (on the left-hand side if you are in the main hall and standing with your back to the main counters). Alternatively you can call 800 10 44 10 (free) or check on www.ceskaposta.cz

Recorded Delivery (Registered Post)

In Czech the word for this is doporučeně. The key thing to remember is the podácí listek (postal receipt), which is what you need to fill out if you want to send something it this way. Basically you should fill one out before you go to the counter, where you will find a stack of them. As with stamps and postal orders, it’s always a good idea to pick up a few in advance.

Basically you only need to fill in the boxes marked Odesílatel (Sender) and Adresát (Addressee). There is not much room for either. The addressee box doesn’t take into account the fact that the addressee may live outside the Czech Republic, and the question is how to write the address. Each time I have sent a letter abroad I have simply written the address as it would be written in the destination country, and so far I haven’t had any problems.

Find more useful post and mailing resources in the Expats.cz Business Directory:
http://www.expats.cz/go/?uQWCSlVhCK

More information about Czech postal services at http://www.cpost.cz/jetspeed/?js_language=en