International Shipping Guides

The UK is a top US export destination — no language barrier and strong Anglo-American ecommerce demand. Post-Brexit, the UK runs its own VAT and customs system separate from the EU. Low-value imports (under £135) require sellers to collect UK VAT and remit to HMRC. Above £135, the buyer pays VAT + duties at delivery.

Royal Mail handles final-mile delivery for most US packages after they clear UK customs. Faster premium services go through courier last-mile (Evri, DPD, Parcelforce).

Ireland is in the EU (unlike the UK post-Brexit) — EU VAT and customs rules apply. Irish consumers are anglophone with strong US cultural ties. An Post handles USPS last-mile. DHL and FedEx have strong Irish networks.

IOSS registration is recommended for sellers collecting Irish VAT (23%) at checkout.

Hungary is a Central European EU country with a growing ecommerce sector and an active Hungarian-American diaspora. US goods including electronics, clothing, and specialty foods are popular imports. Hungary has the highest standard VAT rate in the EU at 27%, which applies to all imports from outside the EU.

Hungarian VAT (ÁFA) at 27% applies to all commercial imports since the EU abolished its €22 de minimis in July 2021. Packages over €150 (~$165 USD) also incur EU import duties. Magyar Posta handles final-mile delivery for USPS shipments. Courier services generally provide faster and more reliable service.

India has massive ecommerce demand but customs and delivery infrastructure varies significantly between metro cities and Tier 2/3 cities. Private couriers dominate express shipments to major cities. India Post handles rural delivery.

Indian customs duties vary widely by item category (5-40% typical) plus 18% IGST. Personal imports under INR 1,000 are duty-free (very low threshold).

Bangladesh has a large diaspora community in the US, particularly in New York, and family remittance shipments are common. Dhaka (Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport) is the main air cargo hub. DHL, FedEx, and UPS all serve Bangladesh, routing through Dubai or Singapore. USPS delivery is handled by Bangladesh Post.

Bangladesh Customs charges customs duty plus VAT (15%) and supplementary duties on imports. The duty rates vary widely by HS code — consumer goods typically face 10–25% import duty before adding VAT. Customs clearance at Dhaka can be bureaucratic; express carriers' licensed customs brokers navigate this significantly better than Bangladesh Post.

Sri Lanka is a mid-size South Asian market with strong diaspora ties to the US and UK. Colombo is the main commercial hub with international flights connecting through Singapore, Dubai, and Doha. All major express carriers serve Sri Lanka, though packages typically route through Dubai or Singapore hubs, adding a transit leg.

Sri Lanka levies customs duties plus VAT (18%) and Social Security Contribution Levy (2.5% SSCL) on imports. Sri Lanka's customs duty rates are governed by HS code and can be high for certain categories — electronics face significant import taxes. There is no meaningful de minimis exemption for inbound commercial goods.

Malaysia is a middle-income Southeast Asian country with a tech-savvy, English-proficient population and strong appetite for US consumer goods, electronics, health products, and branded fashion. Kuala Lumpur and Penang are major commerce centers. Malaysia Post (Pos Malaysia) handles USPS final-mile delivery, though courier services offer faster alternatives.

Malaysia applies customs duties on most imports, with rates typically ranging from 0% to 30% depending on product category. Malaysia's Sales and Service Tax (SST) was reintroduced in 2018 — Sales Tax is 5% or 10% on most goods. Low-value shipments (under RM 500 / ~$110 USD) imported via air are exempt from duties and Sales Tax, but this threshold applies only to qualified e-commerce channels.

Indonesia is Southeast Asia's largest economy and one of the world's most populous countries, with over 270 million people. A growing middle class in Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali, and other major cities drives demand for US electronics, health products, branded apparel, and specialty goods. Indonesia Post (Pos Indonesia) handles USPS final-mile deliveries; couriers provide faster service.

Indonesia's customs authority (DJBC) applies duties on imports. The de minimis threshold is $3 USD FOB — effectively all commercial imports are dutiable. Indonesian VAT (PPN) is 11%. Import duties vary by product (0-170%), with higher rates on luxury and consumer goods. Indonesia has tightened import controls in recent years to protect domestic industry.

The UAE (particularly Dubai) is a major Middle East hub with efficient customs and strong ecommerce infrastructure. Emirates Post handles USPS final-mile; DHL (partially Emirati-owned via DHL Middle East) has very strong Dubai network.

UAE VAT is 5% on most imports. Cultural and religious restrictions apply to certain items.

Tunisia is a North African country with strong French cultural ties and a growing tech and expat community. Tunis-Carthage International Airport handles international air cargo. DHL and FedEx serve Tunisia from US hubs, typically routing through Paris, Frankfurt, or Dubai. USPS delivery is handled by La Poste Tunisienne.

Tunisia charges customs duties plus TVA (7%, 13%, or 19% VAT depending on product) on imports. Tunisia has a formal de minimis of approximately 30 TND (roughly $10 USD) — essentially no duty-free threshold for practical purposes. Electronics, clothing, and personal care products are popular imports. Tunisia controls certain imports and has additional consumption taxes on some goods.

Ethiopia is East Africa's most populous country and has a large diaspora community in the US, especially in Washington DC, Minneapolis, and Atlanta. Addis Ababa Bole International Airport is a major African aviation hub served by Ethiopian Airlines. DHL and FedEx both operate in Ethiopia, though customs clearance via Ethiopian Customs Commission can be thorough.

Ethiopia charges customs duties plus VAT (15%) on imports. Duty rates vary by product and can be significant — electronics and clothing face 5–35% duties. Ethiopian customs is known to scrutinize declared values; using CIF valuation (which includes shipping cost) increases the dutiable base. There is no standard de minimis exemption.

Brazil has the world's most complex customs and highest import taxes of any major market. Duties can total 60%+ of package value, customs clearance is slow, and loss rates via postal services are higher than most destinations. This is a challenging destination for US sellers.

Correios (Brazilian post) has a notorious reputation for delays and package loss. Private carriers (DHL, FedEx) are more reliable but more expensive.

Argentina is South America's third-largest economy with a population of 45 million and a highly educated, culturally cosmopolitan consumer base. Buenos Aires is a major metro with strong demand for US electronics, fashion, books, and specialty goods. However, Argentina has some of the most complex and restrictive import regimes in Latin America, driven by ongoing currency controls and protectionist policies.

Argentina's customs (AFIP/Aduana) imposes significant taxes on imports. Gifts and personal imports under $200 USD (or up to $3,000 USD via air courier with a personal exemption once per year) may qualify for flat 50% duty. Commercial imports face multiple taxes: import duty (varies), VAT (21%), statistical tax, and others. Import restrictions change frequently — stay updated.

Bolivia is a landlocked country at high altitude — La Paz sits at over 11,000 feet above sea level — and is one of the more challenging South American shipping destinations from the US. Express services fly through Lima or São Paulo hubs, typically adding a day to transit times versus coastal destinations. Santa Cruz is the main commercial center with the most direct air links.

Bolivia charges IVA (13% VAT) plus customs duties on imports. Bolivia's de minimis threshold for personal imports is approximately $200 USD — packages below this may clear with reduced duties, though IVA typically still applies. Commercial imports face full tariff schedules.

Paraguay is a landlocked South American country with a growing middle class. Asunción's Silvio Pettirossi International Airport is the main air cargo gateway. All major express carriers serve Paraguay, routing through São Paulo or Buenos Aires. Paraguay is known for low import duties and has historically been a regional re-export hub, particularly via Ciudad del Este on the Brazil border.

Paraguay charges customs duty (0–20%) plus IVA (10% — among South America's lowest VAT rates) on imports. Personal-use packages often clear with minimal duties. Ciudad del Este is a special commercial zone where many Brazilians and Argentines shop — if shipping there, expect different commercial dynamics.

Guatemala is one of Central America's busiest import markets, with a large Guatemalan diaspora in the US regularly sending packages home. DHL, FedEx, and UPS all serve Guatemala City directly, and connecting service covers most major towns. Correo de Guatemala handles USPS last-mile delivery but service quality is variable.

Guatemala levies IVA (12% VAT) on imports plus customs duties ranging from 0–20% depending on the HS code. Packages under approximately $200 USD for personal use are often treated with simplified clearance, but this is not a formal de minimis exemption — commercial shipments face full duties from dollar one.

Trinidad and Tobago is a Caribbean island nation with strong trade ties to the US. Port of Spain's Piarco International Airport handles international cargo well. DHL, FedEx, and UPS all serve Trinidad regularly from Miami and New York. Like other Caribbean nations, the country has a large diaspora community in the US that regularly ships packages home.

Trinidad and Tobago Customs charges customs duty plus VAT (12.5%) on imports. Duty rates vary by product (typically 5–30%). The Customs and Excise Division uses CIF value (cost plus insurance plus freight) as the duty base. There is no meaningful de minimis exemption — all imports are assessed for duties.

Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory in the North Atlantic, just 1,000 miles off the US East Coast — a popular tourist destination and financial services hub. Despite its proximity, Bermuda is not part of the US or UK customs territories: all packages are treated as international imports subject to Bermuda Customs duties. L.F. Wade International Airport handles direct flights from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and other East Coast cities, with frequent cargo service.

Bermuda charges customs duty on imports at rates ranging from 0% to 33.5% depending on the product, with no VAT — unlike most countries, Bermuda has no sales tax or VAT. The customs threshold for duty-free personal-use imports (brought by travelers, not mailed) is $200 BMD, but mailed/shipped packages do not benefit from this traveler allowance. All shipped packages are assessed for customs duty.