How to Ship to Portugal from the US
Portugal has grown rapidly as both an ecommerce market and an expat destination, with large American and diaspora communities making US-to-Portugal shipping a steady demand. Popular items include electronics, clothing, specialty food, and personal care products. As an EU member, Portugal follows EU customs regulations.
Portuguese VAT (IVA) is 23% and applies to all commercial imports from outside the EU — the old €22 exemption was abolished in July 2021. Packages over €150 (~$165 USD) also incur EU import duties. Portugal's large diaspora in the US also drives personal shipments between family members, though these are still subject to EU import rules.
Typical 1 lb cost
$22-$40 USD
Typical transit
6-12 business days
Carrier Options to Portugal
USPS Priority Mail International
7-12 business days. Final delivery by CTT Correios de Portugal. Best for light packages under 2 lbs.
DHL Express Worldwide
3-5 business days. Solid Portugal coverage. Handles customs in Lisbon hub.
UPS Worldwide Expedited
4-6 business days. Good for packages 2-20 lbs. Reliable tracking.
FedEx International Economy
5-7 business days. Cost-effective for mid-weight packages.
Customs Forms Required
CN22 for items under $400 USD. CN23 + commercial invoice for items over $400. Commercial invoice required for all EU commercial shipments.
Commonly Prohibited Items
- ✕Firearms and weapons without Portuguese/EU authorization
- ✕Narcotics and controlled substances
- ✕Counterfeit goods
- ✕Certain food products without EU health certifications
- ✕Live plants without phytosanitary certificates
- ✕Goods infringing EU intellectual property law
Portugal-Specific Shipping Tips
- 💡 Portuguese VAT (23%) applies to all commercial imports — no minimum threshold
- 💡 Portuguese postal codes follow format XXXX-XXX (e.g., 1000-001 for Lisbon); always include them
- 💡 Portugal includes the Azores and Madeira — shipping to these islands takes longer and may cost more
- 💡 Large Portuguese-American communities in Massachusetts and New Jersey generate regular personal shipments
- 💡 Use DHL or UPS for more reliable tracking than USPS/CTT for Portugal
Frequently asked questions
Other International Destinations
Create Your International Shipping Label
Free for USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL international formats.
Create Label Free →