Serpost tracking

What is Serpost?

Serpost, formally known as Servicios Postales del Perú S.A., is the official postal operator of Peru and the country's designated Universal Postal Service provider. As a fully state-owned enterprise governed under FONAFE, the national fund responsible for financing state business activity, Serpost holds the legal mandate to provide postal connectivity across the entire Peruvian territory. The company offers domestic mail delivery, express courier services, parcel logistics, electronic money transfers, and simplified customs programs designed specifically for small exporters and importers.

The postal history of Peru dates back to 1791, when the colonial postal system was first formally established, making Peruvian postal infrastructure among the oldest in the Americas. Peru became a member of the Universal Postal Union on April 1, 1879, well before the country's modern postal institution took its current form. The Dirección General de Correos y Telégrafos had held a government monopoly on postal services since 1916, but broader economic liberalization reforms carried out during the early 1990s led to its replacement. Serpost was created on November 5, 1991, by Supreme Decree No. 685, and formally began operating as a distinct legal entity on November 22, 1994, transitioning from a government directorate to a public company of private law, a structure that grants it greater commercial flexibility while keeping it entirely state-owned.

• Date of creation: November 5, 1991, by Supreme Decree No. 685; formal operations began November 22, 1994
• Headquarters: Los Olivos district, Lima, Peru
• Mail processing center: Near Jorge Chávez International Airport, Callao, Peru
• Ownership: 100% state-owned, governed under FONAFE (Fondo Nacional de Financiamiento de la Actividad Empresarial del Estado)
• Regulatory authority: Ministry of Transport and Communications of Peru
• UPU member: Yes, since April 1, 1879, as the designated national operator
• EMS Cooperative member: Yes, joined in 1999
• PUASP member: Yes, the Postal Union of the Americas, Spain and Portugal, founded in 1911
• Country tracking code: PE
• Number of offices: 158 offices across Peru

Serpost occupies a distinct position in the Peruvian logistics market by virtue of its geographic reach and its government-mandated role as the universal service provider. Private courier operators such as DHL and FedEx concentrate primarily on urban commercial corridors, leaving Serpost as the only carrier connecting remote Amazonian communities accessible only by river or small aircraft, and Andean towns situated at high altitude. This universal service obligation legally requires the company to maintain postal availability across the national territory regardless of commercial viability in any given area.

As Peru's sole member of the EMS Cooperative, Serpost holds exclusive rights to operate the Express Mail Service brand within the country. The company also administers Exporta Fácil and Importa Fácil, government-backed simplified customs programs that give small and micro enterprises access to international trade without requiring a licensed customs broker. A significant expansion agreement was signed in July 2025 between Serpost and Petroperu, the national petroleum company, to place Serpost service modules inside more than 710 affiliated fuel stations nationwide, which represents one of the most ambitious retail distribution initiatives in the company's history.

Which countries does Serpost deliver to?

Serpost operates a domestic network of 158 offices distributed across Peru's three main natural zones, covering the Pacific coastal desert, the high Andes mountain range, and the Amazon basin. Key cities with direct Serpost presence include Lima, Cusco, Aguas Calientes near Machu Picchu, Puno, Yurimaguas, and Talara. The Lima metropolitan area hosts both the company's headquarters in the Los Olivos district and its principal mail processing center near Jorge Chávez International Airport in Callao, which handles all inbound and outbound international postal traffic for the country.

Internationally, Serpost provides service to over 200 countries and territories as part of its obligations as a Universal Postal Union member and through its membership in the EMS Cooperative. The company partners with destination-country postal operators for last-mile delivery, following the international postal cooperation model common to all UPU member operators. A parcel sent from Peru via Serpost is handled by the Peruvian operator until it exits the country, then transferred to the postal service of the destination country for final delivery to the recipient's address.

• Peru (domestic): All 25 regions, including coastal, Andean, and Amazonian destinations not served by private couriers
• Latin America: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Bolivia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay, Venezuela, and others
• North America: United States and Canada
• Europe: All European Union member states, the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and other European countries
• Asia-Pacific: Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand Singapore, and others
• Middle East and Africa: Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Israel, South Africa, and other destinations across the region

International shipments are routed through the Lima mail processing center, where Serpost uses a set of internal operational codes that distinguish packages by service class and processing function. The codes PELIMA, PELIMB, PELIMC, PELIME, and PELIMS correspond to the Lima Aviation center, the Lima Postal Classification Center, the Lima Parcels facility, the Lima EMS center, and the Lima SAL center respectively. These codes appear in tracking event logs as packages move through sorting and dispatch processes before leaving Peru.

The final delivery leg for international outbound shipments is handled by the receiving country's designated postal operator. A parcel destined for the United States is passed to the United States Postal Service, a shipment to Germany is handed over to Deutsche Post, and an item going to the United Kingdom is handled by Royal Mail. For inbound mail, parcels arriving from North America or Europe typically take approximately 10 to 14 days in transit for standard letters and small items, while larger standard airmail parcels can take 4 to 6 weeks depending on origin, routing, and customs clearance at Lima.

What are the Serpost services and delivery times?

Serpost's domestic service portfolio is organized by speed and service tier. The Express 24-hour service targets next-day delivery within Lima and to major regional cities, while the Express national service covers the broader national territory at express speeds. The Economic national service provides a lower-cost option for less time-sensitive shipments. For packages weighing more than 2 kilograms or for items that have been cleared through customs, the Serpost Delivery service provides home delivery directly to the recipient's address. Domestic express services target delivery within 1 to 2 business days, while the Economic service typically delivers within 1 to 3 business days.

• Express 24-hour (domestic): Next-day delivery within Lima and major regional cities
• Express national (domestic): Express-speed delivery across the national territory, typically within 1 to 2 business days
• Economic national (domestic): Lower-cost standard service, typically within 1 to 3 business days
• Serpost Delivery: Home delivery for packages exceeding 2 kg and for customs-cleared items; available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Correo Certificado: Registered mail providing proof of posting and enhanced tracking for important documents
• Correogiros (domestic): Electronic postal money order service for transfers up to approximately $800 per transaction per day, with funds available at the destination office within 15 minutes
• Business Shipping: Dedicated bulk distribution service for businesses with regular high-volume document and package needs
• EMS Express (international): Premium door-to-door tracked service operating under the global EMS brand available to more than 180 countries
• Economic International: Lower-cost international service for price-sensitive outbound shipments
• Exporta Fácil: Simplified export program for small enterprises, requiring no customs broker; maximum 30 kg and $7,500 declared FOB value per shipment
• Importa Fácil: Simplified import clearance for packages received through the postal channel under applicable value thresholds
• International Correogiros: Electronic money transfer service to and from countries participating in the UPU postal financial services network
• Cecograma: Free postal service for Braille materials, audio recordings, and documents for visually impaired individuals and organizations registered with Peru's national disability authority
• Apartado Postal: PO Box rental at Serpost offices for regular mail reception

For international outbound shipments, delivery timeframes vary by destination and service level. Packages sent from Peru to the United States take approximately 7 to 10 days via standard service and 3 to 5 days via EMS express. Shipments to Europe generally take 7 to 12 days by standard and 5 to 7 days by express. Destinations in Asia typically see transit times of 10 to 15 days for standard service and 7 to 10 days for express. Standard parcels to certain destinations can take up to 30 days depending on routing and customs handling at Lima.

For inbound international mail arriving in Peru, standard letters and small parcels from North America or Europe typically take approximately 10 to 14 days. Larger standard airmail parcels can take between 4 and 6 weeks. Items subject to customs review at the Lima processing center may experience additional delays beyond the standard transit estimates, and packages flagged for clearance can add several days or weeks to the total delivery time depending on the workload of SUNAT, Peru's customs authority, at the time of arrival.

What are the Serpost rates and maximum dimensions accepted?

Serpost calculates shipping rates based on a combination of shipment weight, dimensions, service tier, and destination. An online tariff calculator is available on the Serpost website for cost estimation before shipping. Serpost is generally considered one of the more affordable options for sending goods from Peru to international destinations compared to private express couriers, particularly for non-urgent shipments handled through the Economic service tier. The Exporta Fácil program has been widely adopted by small artisan producers, with textiles accounting for approximately 40% of total program shipment volume and toys representing around 6%.

• Exporta Fácil maximum weight: 30 kg per shipment
• Exporta Fácil maximum declared value: $7,500 FOB per shipment
• Serpost Delivery minimum weight: Packages must exceed 2 kg to qualify for home delivery service
• Correogiros domestic transfer limit: Up to approximately $800 per transaction per day
• Importa Fácil duty-free threshold: Items with a declared value under $200 may enter without customs duties or procedures
• Importa Fácil standard duty range: Items valued between $200 and $2,000 may be subject to import duties
• Full customs threshold: Items exceeding $2,000 in declared value require a commercial invoice and full customs procedures
• Standard international parcels: Weight and dimension limits follow UPU guidelines applicable to all member postal operators

For the Exporta Fácil program, exporters are required to hold a valid RUC tax identification number and SOL Key credentials for the national tax portal, but do not need to hire a customs agent. Each shipment must not exceed 30 kilograms or a declared FOB value of $7,500. Products exported under this program span a wide range of categories, including textiles, painted artworks, hairpins, toys, and vehicle parts, reflecting the diversity of Peru's small-scale manufacturing and artisan production base.

What are the Serpost delivery options?

Recipients in Peru can receive packages through several mechanisms depending on the type and weight of the shipment. The Serpost Delivery home delivery service covers Lima and other urban areas, operating Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays and public holidays are not counted as delivery days under this service. Home delivery applies specifically to packages exceeding 2 kilograms and to items that have been cleared through customs at the Lima processing center in Callao.

• Home delivery (Serpost Delivery): Available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., for packages over 2 kg and customs-cleared items
• Office collection: Recipients can collect shipments directly from any of Serpost's 158 offices nationwide
• PO Box (Apartado Postal): Dedicated postal address at a Serpost office, available for rental by individuals and businesses
• Poste Restante (Lista de Correos): Mail held at designated Serpost offices for travelers or persons without a fixed address; standard items held approximately three months, registered items held one to two weeks
• Absent recipient notification: When home delivery is not possible, Serpost leaves a card directing the recipient to collect the item at the local office

The Poste Restante service, also referred to as Lista de Correos, is available at designated Serpost offices and allows travelers or individuals without a permanent residential address to receive mail. Standard items are held for approximately three months, while registered items are held for a shorter period of one to two weeks. Passport or official identification is required for collection at the time of pickup, and items not collected within the applicable holding period are returned to the sender.

In July 2025, Serpost signed a cooperation agreement with Petroperu, the national petroleum company, to deploy Serpost postal service modules at more than 710 affiliated fuel stations across all Peruvian regions. This initiative is designed to extend access to postal services in communities that do not have a dedicated Serpost office, covering both urban and rural locations. Once fully deployed, this network of fuel station service points will substantially increase the number of locations where customers can send and receive postal items without traveling to a dedicated postal office.

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

Customers who experience problems with a lost, damaged, or delayed shipment are advised to contact Serpost customer service directly, providing the tracking number and the details of the issue. The company can be reached by telephone through its call center, and in-person claims can be filed at any of the 158 Serpost offices nationwide. An online contact form and a live chat function are also available through the Serpost website. Serpost staff guide customers through the documentation required to process a formal claim.

• Call center telephone: (01) 511-5110
• General central line: 511-5000
• In-person claim: Any of Serpost's 158 offices across the country
• Online contact: Contact form and live chat available on the Serpost website

Compensation levels and claim deadlines for lost or damaged international shipments follow the guidelines established by the Universal Postal Union for member postal operators, which generally cover compensation for registered mail and parcels that are lost or damaged in transit. For claims involving international shipments, both the sending and receiving postal operators may be involved in the investigation process. The likelihood of compensation depends in part on the service level used, as registered mail and EMS express shipments carry stronger guarantees than unregistered items.

Does Serpost handle international shipments and customs formalities?

All international mail entering and leaving Peru is processed at Serpost's mail handling center near Jorge Chávez International Airport in Callao, where the company coordinates with SUNAT, Peru's national tax and customs authority, for the clearance of inbound packages. Under the Importa Fácil simplified import program, items with a declared value under $200 may enter without customs procedures or import taxes. Items valued between $200 and $2,000 may be subject to import duties, and items exceeding $2,000 require a commercial invoice and are processed through full customs procedures.

Several categories of goods face restrictions or are prohibited for postal import into Peru. These include new and used clothing and footwear, medications and vitamins without the required commercial permits, electronics and electrical devices, cosmetics in quantities exceeding four containers, nail polish, perfume, food supplements, and items of Pre-Columbian cultural heritage. Items of any category with a declared value above $100 arriving from abroad carry a risk of being taxed or held pending customs review at the Lima processing center.

For inbound shipments requiring clearance, Serpost issues physical notifications to recipients with instructions for the next steps. When a package is held at customs, the recipient must typically provide identification, a description of the contents, and in some cases a commercial invoice or proof of purchase before the item can be released. Higher-value or restricted goods may require extended handling time depending on SUNAT's workload and the documentation submitted at the time of review.

For outbound international shipments, Serpost follows the UPU CN 22 and CN 23 customs declaration form standards. The Exporta Fácil program offers a simplified export route for small producers, with the customs declaration completed online and no customs broker required. Both sender and recipient may be held responsible for duties depending on the destination country's import regulations. Serpost, as the designated postal operator, coordinates with airlines and customs authorities at Jorge Chávez International Airport for the processing and export of all outbound international mail.

Understanding tracking statuses

When tracking a Serpost parcel online, the statuses displayed reflect the position and condition of the shipment at each key stage of its journey from initial acceptance to final delivery. Serpost uses the Universal Postal Union standard tracking number format, consisting of a two-letter service prefix, nine digits, and the country code PE for Peru, producing a 13-character alphanumeric code. The prefix encodes the service type. RR-prefix codes indicate registered mail for items up to 2 kg, CP-prefix codes indicate parcel-class shipments between 2 and 20 kg, and EE or EZ prefix codes indicate EMS express shipments.