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% on the mainland, 22% in Madeira and 16% in the Azores. It applies to every import from outside the EU, at any value — the old €22 exemption ended in July 2021. Since July 1, 2026, sellers also pay a flat €3 EU duty per product type on online orders of €150 or less. Family gifts from the US follow the same EU rules.
Typical 1 lb cost
$30–$70 by USPS (retail, July 2026)
Typical transit
6-12 business days
Carrier Options to Portugal
USPS Priority Mail International
From $70.40 for 1 lb at retail; tracking included. Final delivery by CTT Correios de Portugal. USPS quotes 6–10 business days for major markets.
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.
USPS First-Class Package International
Lowest USPS price under 4 lb: $29.95 for 1 lb at retail. Delivery confirmation to Portugal when you buy online.
Customs Forms Required
Every parcel needs a customs form. It prints with the label when you buy postage online. List each item's 6-digit HS code and country of origin (and your EORI number, if you have one). USPS says Portugal also wants two copies of an invoice for business parcels, and for personal parcels worth $300 or more.
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
- ✕By USPS mail: butane lighters and refills, tobacco, cash and jewelry, and lottery tickets
- ✕Medicines (need approval from Portugal's Director General of Health)
Portugal-Specific Shipping Tips
- 💡 Portuguese VAT applies to all imports with no minimum: 23% on the mainland, 22% in Madeira, 16% in the Azores
- 💡 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
- 💡 For urgent or valuable shipments, use an express courier such as DHL or UPS
How Much Does It Cost to Ship to Portugal?
USPS set these prices on July 12, 2026. They are Post Office (retail) prices; online postage costs a little less.
- First-Class Package International (up to 4 lb, up to $400 in value): $21.85 for 8 oz, $29.95 for 1 lb, $33.45 for 2 lb and $66.25 for 4 lb. Online: $28.44 for 1 lb.
- Priority Mail International: $70.40 for 1 lb, $74.00 for 2 lb, $89.70 for 5 lb and $120.10 for 10 lb. Online: $69.39 for 1 lb.
- Priority Mail International Flat Rate: Envelope $54.55, Small Box $56.35 (both up to 4 lb), Medium Box $93.15 and Large Box $110.60 (both up to 20 lb).
- Couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx): priced per shipment, by size and weight.
💡 Light parcels are much cheaper by First-Class Package International ($29.95 for 1 lb) than by Priority Mail International ($70.40). Whichever you use, look up each item's 6-digit HS code before you start — USPS requires it on the customs form for Portugal.
VAT and Duty: Mainland, Madeira and the Azores
- Every import pays VAT, whatever it is worth. The rate depends on where it goes: 23% for mainland Portugal, 22% for Madeira, 16% for the Azores. Some goods get 13% or 6%.
- If the seller uses IOSS, the buyer pays the VAT at checkout (orders up to €150). If not, your recipient pays it before CTT or the courier hands the parcel over.
- New EU duty: from July 1, 2026, sellers pay €3 for each type of product in an online order worth €150 or less. Bigger orders pay normal duty.
- Gifts: from one private person to another, worth €45 or less — no duty and no VAT.
ℹ️ For the Azores and Madeira, add the island name after the town, along with the full postal code.
How to Address a Package to Portugal
Portuguese addresses put the street type first, then the number and floor:
- Recipient's full name.
- Street, number and floor — for example 'Rua Augusta 100, 2.º Esq.' (2nd floor, left).
- Postal code (4 digits, dash, 3 digits) and town — for example '1000-001 LISBOA'.
- PORTUGAL.
💡 USPS says parcels to Portugal can go to a street address or a post office box. Add a local phone number for the recipient — it is required for a post office box.
What USPS Won't Carry to Portugal
Portugal's mail rules are shorter than Italy's, but a few items catch people out. From USPS's own list for Portugal:
- Cigarette lighters and butane refills, and tobacco.
- Cash, coins, jewelry and other valuables (banknotes only with a Bank of Portugal license).
- Lottery tickets and lottery ads.
- Weapons, and live plants and animals.
- Medicines need approval from Portugal's health authority, and commercial shipments may need an import permit.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping to Portugal take?
Does the recipient pay VAT on US imports?
Can I ship to the Azores or Madeira from the US?
What's the cheapest shipping option to Portugal?
Do I need to speak Portuguese to ship there?
How much does it cost to send a package to Portugal?
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