Croatia Post tracking

What is Croatia Post?

Croatia Post, officially known as Hrvatska pošta and abbreviated HP, is the designated national postal operator of the Republic of Croatia. Operating as a joint-stock company fully owned by the Croatian state, it holds the mandate to provide universal postal services across the entire national territory, including the country's roughly 1,200 Adriatic islands. Founded as an independent entity on 1 January 1999, the company manages a network of over one thousand post offices, seven dedicated sorting centers, and a fleet of 423 electric delivery vehicles, and holds membership in the Universal Postal Union, PostEurop, and the International Post Corporation.

The history of organized postal service in Croatia dates back to 1848, when the Supreme Croatian-Slavonian Postal Administration was established in Zagreb. The institution evolved under successive political administrations, becoming the Croatian Directorate of Posts, Telegraphs and Telephones in 1919 and operating under the PTT-promet RH name during the socialist period. Following Croatian independence, Parliament established the public company Croatian Post and Telecommunications, Hrvatska pošta i telekomunikacije or HPT, in 1990. The decisive structural change came on 1 January 1999, when HPT was divided into two independent entities, separating postal operations from telecommunications and creating Croatia Post in its current form.

A defining infrastructure investment in Croatia Post's modern history was the construction of a new central sorting facility in Velika Gorica, near Zagreb's international airport. Inaugurated in September 2019 at a cost of approximately $52 million, the 32,000-square-meter facility is capable of processing up to 15,000 parcels per hour and forms the backbone of both domestic and international mail flows. In September 2023, the company relocated its corporate headquarters from its former address in central Zagreb to this same Velika Gorica complex. A second regional sorting center opened in Bakar-Kukuljanovo near Rijeka in March 2022, serving the Istria, Primorje, and Gorski Kotar regions.

• Founded: 1 January 1999, as an independent entity following the division of Croatian Post and Telecommunications; organized postal activity in Croatia dates to 1848
• Headquarters: Velika Gorica, Croatia, following the company's relocation in September 2023
• Ownership: 100% owned by the Republic of Croatia, operating as a joint-stock company (dioničko društvo)
• Post office network: Over 1,000 post offices across Croatia, including locations in remote mainland areas and Adriatic island communities
• Sorting centers: Seven facilities nationwide, including hubs in Velika Gorica, Split, Zadar, Osijek, Slavonski Brod, Bjelovar, and Bakar-Kukuljanovo near Rijeka
• Parcel lockers: 300 Paketomat self-service machines nationwide as of 2023, operational 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Fleet: 423 electric vehicles, comprising 116 delivery vans and 20 electric quadricycles among other vehicle types
• International memberships: Universal Postal Union (UPU), PostEurop (co-founder), International Post Corporation (IPC, member since 1 July 2019)

Croatia Post's position in the domestic market is anchored in its legal status as the universal service provider, an obligation that requires the company to deliver to every address in the country regardless of commercial profitability. This covers remote mountain communities and island settlements that commercial carriers typically do not serve at standard rates. Beyond its postal mandate, the company provides financial services through a partnership with Hrvatska poštanska banka, Croatian Postal Bank, a cryptocurrency redemption service introduced at 55 post offices in December 2019 in cooperation with Croatian brokerage Electrocoin, and a digital communication platform under the ePost brand.

Which countries does Croatia Post deliver to?

Croatia Post serves the complete domestic territory of the Republic of Croatia through its network of over one thousand post offices and seven sorting centers organized into six regional divisions. The network covers not only mainland Croatia but also the country's roughly 1,200 Adriatic islands, islets, and reef formations. Deliveries to inhabited islands take longer than mainland destinations, with the standard maximum for island deliveries set at 72 hours under the Paket24 express service, reflecting the logistical demands of ferry connections and island road conditions.

Internationally, Croatia Post participates in the global postal network through its membership in the Universal Postal Union, which allows it to exchange standard postal items with all UPU member nations. Through the EMS Cooperative operating under the UPU framework, the company provides express international delivery to approximately 200 countries and territories worldwide. Inbound shipments from EU member states cross Croatian borders without customs inspection, as Croatia joined the European Union in 2013, a status that removes the need for customs processing on goods moving within the EU's internal market.

• Croatia (domestic): Complete coverage of all mainland counties and the City of Zagreb, plus Adriatic island communities served through ferry-based logistics routes
• European Union: All 26 other EU member states, with no customs inspection on goods crossing internal EU borders
• Rest of Europe: United Kingdom, Switzerland Norway, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Albania, and other non-EU European countries
• Asia-Pacific: Japan, South Korea, China, Australia, New Zealand Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand India, and other destinations in the region
• North America: United States and Canada
• Other regions: Coverage extends to destinations in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East through the UPU's bilateral exchange agreements

International shipments are handled through the standard cooperation mechanism between UPU member postal operators. A parcel sent from Croatia to the United States is transferred to USPS for final distribution once it clears customs on the American side. A shipment to Germany is handed over to Deutsche Post upon arrival, and a parcel destined for France is transferred to La Poste. This division of responsibility between the originating and receiving postal operators is the established method through which international postal items reach their final recipients, with tracking data shared between the two services at key handover points throughout the journey.

What are the Croatia Post services and delivery times?

Croatia Post's service portfolio divides between the traditional universal postal mandate and the commercially developed express logistics range. The universal service covers letters, postcards, registered mail, and standard parcels for both domestic and international traffic. The Express Division manages the Paket24 product, which targets e-commerce and business-to-consumer parcel delivery within Croatia. Both streams serve private individuals and business customers, with high-volume e-commerce shippers handled primarily through the express service and its dedicated business parcel contracts.

• Universal postal service: Standard letters, postcards, registered mail, and small packets up to 2 kg for domestic and international traffic, with delivery typically within 1 to 3 business days for domestic destinations
• Paket24: Express parcel service targeting next-business-day delivery to over 200 locations in Croatia, supporting home address delivery, post office collection, and Paketomat locker collection, with returns handling for e-commerce included
• EMS (Express Mail Service): International express product under the UPU's EMS Cooperative framework, with tracking included and coverage reaching approximately 200 countries and territories
• Registered mail: Available for domestic and international shipments requiring proof of delivery or greater security during transit
• Financial and payment services: Cash transactions, account services, and bill payments conducted at post office counters through the partnership with Hrvatska poštanska banka, extended to small businesses since 2020
• ePost (ePošta): Digital platform for sending, receiving, and archiving correspondence and documents electronically, including e-invoices and digital bill payments for both private and business customers
• Cryptocurrency redemption: Cash-out service for cryptocurrency holders available at 55 designated post offices since December 2019, operated in cooperation with Croatian brokerage Electrocoin
• HPekspres and business parcel solutions: Branded express offering and volume-based parcel contracts for high-frequency business senders requiring customized logistics arrangements

For domestic shipments, delivery times follow a clear structure based on destination type. The Paket24 express service achieves next-business-day delivery within the Zagreb metropolitan area, 48 to 72 hours for other mainland locations, and up to 72 hours for island destinations. Standard domestic postal items generally arrive within 1 to 3 business days. Croatia Post does not offer weekend home delivery as a standard feature of its residential network, though the Paketomat locker network operates continuously and allows recipients to collect parcels at any time on any day of the week.

International delivery times vary depending on the destination country, the service level selected, and whether customs processing is required. EMS international express shipments represent the fastest available option through Croatia Post for cross-border documents and goods. Standard international postal items to European destinations generally take between 5 and 15 business days, with non-European destinations potentially requiring longer transit periods. Shipments to EU member states move faster on average because no customs clearance is required at the border.

What are the Croatia Post rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

Croatia Post's pricing is structured around three main variables, the service type selected, the destination zone, and the weight and dimensions of the item. Standard universal postal rates apply to letters and basic parcels, while the Paket24 express service and the EMS international product each carry separate rate tables reflecting their respective delivery commitments. Full pricing tables and a postage calculator are available on Croatia Post's official platforms, and rates for international shipments can vary substantially depending on the destination country and applicable bilateral postal arrangements.

• Standard domestic weight limit: Maximum 20 kg for domestic parcel shipments
• Small packet classification: Items up to 2 kg are classified as small packets; items over 2 kg fall into the parcel category with correspondingly different rates
• Maximum dimensions (domestic parcels): The combined length and circumference at the widest point may not exceed 300 cm, with a maximum length in any single dimension of 150 cm
• International weight and dimension limits: Governed by UPU regulations and bilateral agreements with individual destination countries; limits vary by destination and should be confirmed before preparing a shipment
• EMS limits: Subject to the specific weight and dimension conditions of the EMS Cooperative, which may differ from standard parcel parameters
• Customs declarations: Required for all goods shipped outside the European Union, including a 6-digit HS code for each article and an accurate declared value used for duty and VAT assessment at the destination

For international shipments, the declared value on the customs declaration serves as the basis on which authorities at the destination country assess import duties and VAT. Senders are expected to declare the true commercial or replacement value of the goods, and the accuracy of this information determines whether a shipment passes customs without incident. Items containing goods destined for non-EU countries require a completed customs declaration form to accompany the shipment throughout its journey, and Croatia Post requires all articles to be listed with the applicable HS classification code.

What are the Croatia Post delivery options?

Croatia Post offers three main modalities for receiving shipments, covering home delivery, post office collection, and self-service parcel locker collection. The primary method is delivery to the recipient's home address by a postal carrier during standard working hours. If the recipient is not present at the time of the delivery attempt, the carrier leaves a written notice and transfers the parcel to the nearest post office for collection. Holding periods at post offices range from 7 to 15 days depending on the type of service used for the shipment, after which uncollected items are returned to the sender.

• Home address delivery: Delivery to the recipient's address during business hours, with a notice left and the item transferred to the nearest post office if no one is available to receive it
• Post office collection: Pickup from any of Croatia Post's 1,000-plus post offices across the country, with items held for 7 to 15 days depending on the service type before being returned to the sender
• Paketomat parcel lockers: 300 self-service machines distributed across Croatia, operating 24 hours a day and 7 days a week, with recipients notified when their parcel is ready and able to collect it at any hour, with the lockers also supporting outbound sending and e-commerce returns

The Paketomat locker network was deployed in phases starting in April 2021, and the 300th unit was installed by May 2023. The machines accommodate compartments of different sizes to handle a range of parcel dimensions, and they support both inbound collection and the return of goods purchased online, a feature that has made them a practical option for customers who regularly process e-commerce returns. Locker positions are placed at frequently visited urban and suburban sites designed to be accessible by foot, bicycle, or public transport. The software platform running the network is developed by Estonian company Omniva, while the physical hardware is manufactured by Chinese company Hive-box.

What should I do if my Croatia Post parcel is lost or damaged?

When a shipment handled by Croatia Post fails to arrive, arrives damaged, or is delivered incorrectly, the affected sender or recipient should contact Croatia Post customer service to open a claim. The primary contact number for general queries and claims is +385 72 303 304, operating Monday through Friday during business hours. An online contact form is also available for written inquiries. Customers should have the shipment's tracking number ready when making contact, as this is the primary reference used to locate the item in Croatia Post's systems and retrieve its movement history.

• Primary contact channel: Croatia Post customer service telephone line at +385 72 303 304, available Monday to Friday during business hours
• Information required when filing: The tracking number of the affected shipment, a full description of the issue, the declared value and nature of the contents, and any supporting documentation such as photographs of damage
• Domestic claim deadlines: Internal deadlines apply depending on the service type used, and Croatia Post customer service can confirm the applicable timeframe for the specific case
• International claims: For items exchanged under UPU Convention rules, compensation structures and filing timeframes are governed by the UPU Convention rather than Croatia Post's domestic procedures
• Customs-related inquiries: Croatia Post coordinates with customs authorities on behalf of recipients for inbound international parcels and can assist with queries about duties and representation fees

For international shipments, the claims process involves the postal operators of both the origin and destination countries. Under the UPU Convention, maximum compensation amounts are standardized for different item categories, and the process for filing a claim may require providing proof of declared value through purchase receipts or equivalent documentation. Croatia Post customer service can advise on the specific steps required for the service type and destination involved in each individual case.

Does Croatia Post handle international shipments and customs formalities?

Croatia Post processes international mail and parcel traffic in both directions, handling outbound shipments from Croatia to destinations worldwide and inbound items sent from abroad to Croatian recipients. For outbound parcels containing goods destined for countries outside the European Union, senders must complete a customs declaration form listing all articles, their declared values, and the applicable 6-digit Harmonized System code for each item. The declaration accompanies the shipment and is used by customs authorities in the destination country to assess any import duties and taxes that apply.

For inbound shipments, customs conditions depend on the country of origin. Items arriving from EU member states enter Croatia without customs inspection, as goods moving within the EU are not subject to import duties or border VAT. Parcels arriving from outside the EU are subject to customs inspection and may attract import duties and VAT based on their declared value and the nature of the goods. Croatia Post acts as the customs representative for recipients in these cases, drawing up the necessary customs declarations and charging a representation fee that varies according to the declaration type, with H7 declarations applying to lower-value items and H6 declarations applying to higher-value items. Recipients must pay any assessed duties and VAT before or upon collection of their parcel.

• EU-origin inbound items: No customs inspection; goods from EU member states are not subject to import duties under EU internal market rules
• Non-EU inbound items: Subject to customs inspection; import duties and VAT may apply based on the declared value and nature of the goods
• Customs representation fee: Charged by Croatia Post for preparing customs declarations on behalf of recipients, with the fee level depending on declaration type (H7 for lower-value items, H6 for higher-value items)
• Outbound declaration requirements: All parcels containing goods sent outside the EU require a completed customs declaration with 6-digit HS codes for each article and an accurate declared value
• Prohibited items: Coins, banknotes and foreign currencies in circulation, precious metals and stones in any form, jewelry, registered securities, and other valuables; live animals generally prohibited, with narrow exceptions for bees, fruit flies, leeches, and silkworms, and entirely prohibited from air carriage
• Restricted items: Flammable substances including perfumes, aerosols, and oil paints; lithium batteries subject to air carriage regulations; meat, milk, and dairy products from species susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease; alcoholic beverages only in original sealed packaging with producer's declaration; items of unknown chemical composition require a safety data sheet before acceptance

The restrictions on flammable substances and lithium batteries reflect regulations that apply to postal operators using air transport for international mail routing. Croatia Post's international operations include airmail services, meaning items that are acceptable for road transport may be refused or subject to additional conditions when they travel by air. Senders are advised to declare the composition of all items accurately, particularly for shipments containing batteries, liquids, or substances with flammable properties, as incorrect declarations can result in the rejection or return of the shipment.

Understanding tracking statuses

When you track a Croatia Post parcel online through the company's dedicated tracking portal or the Hrvatska pošta mobile application, different status messages appear as the item moves through the postal network. Each status reflects a specific stage in the shipment's journey, from initial registration at the post office through sorting, transport, and final delivery. Entering the tracking number assigned at the time of acceptance retrieves the full movement history along with the current status. The main statuses you may encounter and what each one means are listed below.