Correios

Correios, officially the Empresa Brasileira de Correios e Telégrafos, is Brazil’s national postal service and a federal government–owned company. It operates as the primary operator for mail, parcels, and related logistics both within Brazil and for international shipments, and it participates in the global postal network through the Universal Postal Union.

The organization traces its roots to the colonial era and evolved through Brazil’s history into a state‑controlled enterprise that oversees postal and telegraph services, expanding over time to include modern logistics and e‑commerce solutions. In its current form, Correios serves as the backbone of Brazil’s mail delivery system, providing a universal service obligation to reach most addresses across the country, including rural and underserved areas.

Correios offers a range of services for individuals and businesses, including standard letter mail, parcel delivery, and bulk mail. Key domestic offerings include expedited services such as SEDEX and various SEDEX variants, as well as more economical options like PAC. It also provides international shipping through services such as EMS, and supports e‑commerce logistics, tracking, and customs handling. In addition, the company maintains philatelic programs, producing stamps and related collectibles.

Governed as a federal government‑owned company, Correios is subject to public sector oversight and policy directions from the government. Like many national postal operators, it faces ongoing challenges related to finance, efficiency, and competition from private couriers, which has led to reform discussions and privatization or partial privatization proposals in recent years. The organization continues to adapt through modernization, digital services, and expanded logistics capabilities while maintaining its role in universal service and national connectivity.