How to Ship Internationally from the US

Shipping a package across US borders introduces a layer of complexity that domestic shipping doesn't have: customs forms, import duties, prohibited item lists, and wildly different delivery timelines depending on the destination country. Get it right and your package lands in Berlin in five days. Get it wrong and it sits in a customs facility for six weeks before being returned.

This guide walks through everything you need to know — choosing the right carrier, filling out customs forms correctly, understanding duties and taxes, and avoiding the most common mistakes that cause international packages to be delayed or rejected.

Choosing the Right Carrier for International Shipping

Four carriers dominate US international shipping: USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL. Each has strengths depending on package size, destination, speed, and budget.

USPS First Class Package International is the cheapest option for small, light packages (under 4 lbs) going to most countries — often $15–$35. USPS Priority Mail International adds speed and $200 of included insurance. UPS and FedEx are faster and more trackable for heavier shipments, but significantly more expensive. DHL Express is the gold standard for speed and reliability in Europe and Asia, often beating UPS and FedEx on delivery time to less common destinations.

• USPS First Class Package International: best for packages under 4 lbs, lowest cost, limited tracking
• USPS Priority Mail International: 6–10 days, $200 insurance included, full tracking
• USPS Priority Mail Express International: 3–5 days, $200 insurance, fastest USPS option
• UPS Worldwide Expedited / Express: 2–5 days, excellent tracking, higher cost
• FedEx International Economy / Priority: 2–5 days, strong business tools
• DHL Express Worldwide: often 1–4 days, best for remote destinations, premium price

Customs Forms: What You Need to Fill Out

Every international package requires a customs declaration — a form that tells the destination country what's inside, its value, and whether it's a gift or merchandise. For USPS, this is the CN22 (for packages under $400) or CN23 (for packages over $400 or with multiple items). UPS, FedEx, and DHL handle customs documentation electronically when you create the label.

The most important fields: accurate item description (not just 'gift' or 'clothing' — be specific: '100% cotton women's t-shirt'), declared value in USD (use actual retail or replacement value, not a low-balled number — misdeclaring value is customs fraud), country of origin, and HS (Harmonized System) tariff code if you're shipping commercial goods.

Duties, Taxes, and Who Pays Them

Import duties and taxes are charged by the destination country, not the US. Whether the recipient pays them on delivery or you pay upfront depends on the shipping terms you choose. DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) means the recipient pays any duties when the package arrives — common for small ecommerce sellers. DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) means you collect the duties upfront and pay them on the recipient's behalf — better customer experience but requires more setup.

Most countries have a de minimis threshold — a value below which no import duties are charged. The EU's threshold is €150, Canada's is CAD $20, Australia's is AUD $1,000, and the UK's is £135. Packages under these thresholds typically clear customs faster and without additional fees.

• EU: €150 de minimis, VAT applies to all imports
• Canada: CAD $20 de minimis (very low — most packages incur duties)
• UK: £135 de minimis for customs duty; VAT always applies
• Australia: AUD $1,000 de minimis — most small packages enter duty-free
• Japan: ¥10,000 de minimis (~$65 USD)
• Mexico: $50 USD de minimis for air, $117 for other modes

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Every country maintains a list of items it prohibits or restricts. Some are universal (drugs, weapons, counterfeit goods). Others are country-specific — Brazil restricts used electronics, Australia heavily restricts biosecurity items, Saudi Arabia prohibits alcohol and pork products. Before you ship, check the USPS Country Conditions page or the destination country's customs authority website.

Lithium batteries are one of the most commonly mishandled categories. USPS prohibits sending lithium batteries by air to most international destinations (Priority Mail International ships by air). If your product contains a lithium battery, you may need to ship surface (slower but compliant) or use a carrier with the right dangerous goods certification.

Packaging for International Shipments

International packages travel longer and through more handling points than domestic packages. Use double-wall corrugated boxes for anything fragile. Seal all seams with pressure-sensitive tape, not standard packing tape. Include a second address label inside the box — if the outer label is damaged in transit, customs inspectors can find the destination from inside.

Print your customs form and attach it to the outside of the package in a clear poly envelope marked 'Documents Enclosed.' For USPS shipments, the customs form is typically integrated into the shipping label — don't attach a separate paper form unless explicitly required.

Carrier Coverage Changes by Destination

Global averages hide big per-country differences. USPS First Class Package International does not include tracking to all destinations — tracking terminates at the US border for many countries, which makes it a poor fit for customer-facing ecommerce even when it is the cheapest option. Priority Mail International includes tracking and is the more reliable choice when a buyer is watching the package.

For packages over 4 lb, or destinations where speed and reliable tracking matter, FedEx International Economy, UPS Worldwide Expedited, and DHL Express are the main options. DHL is particularly strong in Asia, Europe, and Latin America — in many non-US markets its final-mile coverage beats FedEx and UPS. For a US brand's first international expansion, DHL is worth quoting alongside the US carriers.

How Customs Clearance Actually Works

When a package enters a foreign country it passes through that country's customs authority, which reviews the declaration to determine what's inside, what it's worth, and whether it's allowed. Based on that review customs will clear the package for delivery, assess duties and taxes the recipient must pay before delivery, hold it for inspection, or seize or return prohibited items.

The sender is responsible for accurate documentation; the recipient is typically responsible for paying assessed duties. That split matters for ecommerce — if your customer expects one price and then receives a duty bill, the experience sours fast. Many sellers solve this with Delivered Duty Paid shipping, where duties are estimated upfront and included in the purchase price.

CN22 vs CN23: Which Form Applies

USPS uses PS Form 2976 (the CN22) for packages under $400 and PS Form 2976-A (the CN23) for packages over $400 or any package needing a detailed description. UPS, FedEx, and DHL integrate the declaration into label generation, where you complete the commercial invoice as part of the process.

• CN22 — personal gifts and non-commercial shipments under $400 USD
• CN22 — commercial shipments under $400 USD
• CN22 — document-only shipments such as letters and printed materials
• CN22 — stuck to the outside of the package; carries sender and receiver details, contents description, value, weight, and customs classification
• CN23 — commercial shipments over $400 USD
• CN23 — personal shipments over $400 USD
• CN23 — specific categories including dangerous goods and controlled substances
• CN23 — more detail than the CN22: full HS code, commercial invoice, and VAT information where applicable

What Every Customs Declaration Must Contain

Whichever form your carrier generates, the same facts have to be on it — and vagueness in any one of them is what triggers a manual review:

• Item description: be specific — 'cotton polo shirt' not 'clothing'
• Quantity: the number of each distinct item
• Value: the actual transaction value, not a discounted 'gift value'
• Country of origin or manufacture
• HS tariff code: the 6–10 digit code that classifies the product internationally
• Shipper and recipient contact information
• Purpose: sale, gift, sample, return, or personal use

What Goes on a Commercial Invoice

For commercial shipments the commercial invoice is additional to the CN22 or CN23, not a replacement for it. It carries:

• Full seller and buyer details
• Detailed item descriptions — specific, not 'goods' or 'merchandise'
• Quantity, unit price, and total price
• HS codes for customs classification
• Country of origin
• Terms of sale (FOB, CIF, EXW, and so on)
• Package dimensions and weight

HS Codes and What They Control

HS (Harmonized System) codes are the international standard for classifying goods. Every item has a specific code — wine is 2204.10, leather jackets are 4203.10. The code you declare decides:

• The duties and taxes applied at the destination
• Compliance requirements, such as certifications the destination country demands
• Whether the item is restricted or prohibited at all

How to Find the Right HS Code

Four routes, roughly in order of effort:

1. Look the product up in the US Census Bureau's Schedule B lookup
2. Check the destination country's own HS code lookup
3. Let the carrier suggest it — USPS, UPS, and FedEx systems often auto-suggest a code from the item description
4. Use the World Customs Organization's lookup at wcoomd.org, or hire a customs broker for complex or high-value items

How Duties and Taxes Are Calculated

Import duty is a percentage of the declared value, with the rate set by the HS code and the destination country. The European Union charges 12% import duty on most clothing from the US, while electronics often face lower rates. VAT or GST is then applied on top of duties in most countries.

De minimis thresholds decide whether any of this applies at all. The US threshold is $800 per shipment. Canada's is CAD$20 for gifts and CAD$40 for commercial goods. Always check the destination country's threshold before assuming a small package passes duty-free.

IOSS and EU VAT Collection

Since 2021 EU imports require VAT to be collected on goods sold online. Sellers have three practical options:

• Register for IOSS (Import One Stop Shop) — collect VAT at checkout and remit it through a single registration
• Don't register — the recipient pays VAT plus a carrier handling fee at delivery, which creates a poor buyer experience
• Charge VAT separately on your product pages so the total is transparent before checkout

Customs Mistakes That Cause Delays

Nearly every held package traces back to one of these:

• Vague descriptions — 'merchandise', 'gift', 'stuff' — instead of 'cotton t-shirt, size medium'
• Incorrect or missing HS codes
• Undeclared or under-declared value, even when it's meant to help the recipient avoid duties — this is customs fraud
• A missing commercial invoice on a commercial shipment
• Misdeclaring commercial items as a 'gift' to avoid duties, which customs authorities routinely detect

Tips for Smooth Customs Clearance

The most common cause of customs delay is incomplete paperwork. Five extra minutes on the declaration is nearly always worth it:

• Use the correct HS code — a wrong code triggers manual review or an incorrect duty assessment
• Include a commercial invoice for all B2B shipments and any package over $500
• Never mark a sale as a 'gift'
• Include the recipient's phone number — customs authorities may call to clear the shipment
• For the EU, include an EORI number on commercial shipments
• Ship DDP when you can, to avoid refused deliveries and surprise-charge complaints

Offering DDP: Landed Cost at Checkout

DDU/DAP creates a poor customer experience. Buyers who did not expect a charge at delivery are more likely to refuse the package, dispute the charge, or leave a negative review — and a refused package means paying return freight on top of everything else. In any market where you're building trust, DDP is the stronger default.

Your International Compliance Checklist

Before you open a new market, work through this list once — then re-run step six annually:

1. Look up the HS code for each product you ship internationally
2. Research the de minimis threshold and duty rates for your top target markets
3. Document the accurate declared value — do not undervalue to avoid duties
4. Include a commercial invoice with each shipment (required by all international carriers)
5. Register for VAT/GST where destination rules require it (EU IOSS, UK VAT, Australian GST)
6. Audit your HS codes annually — misclassification is the most common customs compliance error

Letting Software Generate the Paperwork

Modern shipping platforms — Shippo, EasyPost, DHL MyDHL+ and similar — auto-generate customs forms from your shipment data. You enter the contents and value; they produce the CN22 or CN23 and the commercial invoice. For anyone shipping internationally more than occasionally, this removes the single largest source of clerical error.

The Economics of International Returns

International returns are the hardest logistics problem in cross-border ecommerce. A package that costs $30 to ship to the UK can cost $60+ to bring back, and a return shipped from Germany to the US on FedEx International Priority can run $40–$80 on an order the customer paid $15 to receive. Outbound international shipping is usually subsidised or priced in; the inbound leg rarely is:

• More expensive per pound — there is less carrier competition on return routes
• Slower, because customs is involved on both sides
• Potentially dutiable again on entry, since customs treats a return as a new import
• Often 2–4 weeks in transit, against 7–14 days outbound

Three Return Policies for International Orders

Pick one deliberately rather than defaulting into it:

• Returnless refund: cheapest for low-value items (under ~$75). Your cost is the product only — no shipping either way.
• Customer pays return shipping: fair when the item was as described and it's a change of mind.
• Seller pays return shipping: a premium offer, but it measurably increases international conversion.

When a Returnless Refund Makes Sense

If return shipping is more than half the product cost, refunding without a return usually wins on the numbers:

• Product cost $20, return shipping $30: total cost of taking the return is $50+, so a returnless refund at $20 is cheaper.
• Product cost $100, return shipping $40: total $140+ against a $100 returnless refund — here the return loses.
• Rule of thumb: once return shipping passes 30% of product value, price out the returnless option.

Carrier Options for International Returns

When you do take the package back, the cheapest route depends on weight and origin country:

• USPS Priority Mail International: cheapest for lightweight (under 4 lb) returns from major countries
• DHL Express Worldwide: fastest, at a premium price
• UPS and FedEx International: reliable, often faster than USPS
• Local postal services (Royal Mail, Canada Post): cheap when the customer ships from their own country

Customs on Returned Items

Mark returned items as 'RETURN — UNWANTED GIFT' on the customs form. Some countries waive duties on genuine returns when the original import documentation is attached. Without it:

• The customer may be charged duties again on the return, which they will not take well
• You may be charged duties when the item arrives back in your country
• Expect 1–2 weeks of additional processing time in customs

International Return Policy Templates

Three wordings that cover most sellers, from cheapest to most generous:

• 'Returns to US address only at customer expense' — cheapest for the seller, least customer-friendly
• 'Returnless refund for items under [X]' — saves the logistics cost while keeping goodwill
• 'Free returns up to [X] value' — a premium offering that suits luxury brands

Practical Ways to Cut International Return Costs

Whatever policy you choose, these reduce both the rate and the cost of cross-border returns:

• State the international return policy on product pages and at checkout, not only in the footer
• Offer store credit or exchange-only for international orders under a set value
• For items under $20–$30, consider a 'keep it' refund — the return costs more than the product
• Use a returns aggregator (Loop, Happy Returns, Global-e) in markets with real volume
• For returns from the UK, Canada, or the EU, consider maintaining a local return address
• Set expectations up front: 'Returns take 3–4 weeks due to international transit'
• Print return instructions on the packing slip in the customer's language where you can
• Track return rates by country to spot markets with systemic sizing or fit problems
• For fashion and sizing-sensitive items, add a sizing guide to cut the return rate at the source

Reducing Abandoned Carts on International Orders

International customers abandon carts at much higher rates than domestic customers when shipping costs surface late in checkout. The fix is earlier transparency: show estimated shipping on the product or cart page rather than only on the final screen, and surface any free-shipping threshold prominently.

Unexpected import fees revealed after purchase are the second biggest driver of international cart abandonment and post-purchase disputes. Combining upfront shipping disclosure with DDP duty collection at checkout addresses both, and has been shown to improve international conversion rates by 20–40% for brands that implement it properly.