How To Ship Internationally

Every country has different shipping regulations. Our handy tool will keep you informed. Look up country-specific shipping restrictions and service options.

There are also rules for special-care or prohibited items.

It is your responsibility as the shipper to check the regulations and whether the products you are shipping will require inspection.

Providing a specific description helps reduce customs delays. Know the product's intended use (sale, resale or manufacture), what the product is made of, where it was made and its value.

Double check your address. Some countries use unique formats for addresses or postal codes.

You will need to complete a commercial invoice, which is required for all cross-border shipments, except for documents that have no commercial value.

There may be other forms required for your shipment, depending upon the details of your shipment. We’ll provide this info and help you complete these forms online as you’re creating your shipping label. We’ve also provided an overview of the most common customs forms along with details about when each is required.

If you have a UPS account, we can transmit your customs forms digitally (to enable Paperless^® Invoice, go to your account details screen to enroll your account). If you don’t have an account, you can open one here and will be automatically enrolled. Otherwise, be sure to print out three copies of the commercial invoice and include it with your package.

Either the shipper or the receiver will be responsible for payment of duties, taxes and fees. In rare instances, these may be charged to a third party.

When the shipper pays duties, fees or taxes, it is called Delivery Duty Paid (DDP). This can improve the customer experience by providing additional clarity and transparency during the buying process. Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) means the receiver will need to pay.

If you do not have a UPS payment account, and are simply paying with a credit card, it will default to DDU, meaning the receiver will have to pay the duties, taxes and fees in order to receive their shipment. By opening up a UPS payment account, you can choose who will pay when you create the shipping label.

If the recipient will be responsible for these charges, we recommend you inform them of this before the transaction, to avoid any surprises. However, if the receiver does not pay, UPS may recover the outstanding amounts from you.

Harmonized System Codes (or tariff codes) are used by customs authorities to identify products being shipped, so they can accurately assess any duties and taxes owed. An incorrect code can lead to customs delays or even fines.

While you don’t need to know your tariff code in order to ship, it is important that you provide an accurate, detailed description of the goods you are shipping (example: 'men's 100% cotton sweatshirt' is better than 'sweatshirt', 'clothing' or 'gift'). This will allow us to determine the appropriate code for your goods.

However, to ensure accuracy, you can also look up your code before you create your shipping label.

Many products, including their packaging, contain these metals or derivatives of these metals and must comply to the following:

• Steel articles and derivatives subject to Section 232 must include country of melt and pour, content value, and content weight.
• Aluminum articles and derivatives subject to Section 232 must include country of most recent cast, country of largest smelt, country of 2nd largest smelt, content value, and content weight.
• Copper articles and derivatives subject to Section 232 must include content value, and content weight.

Be sure to follow the required process for shipments containing food items to the U.S. that are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). All required documentation must be accurate and complete to avoid delays, penalties, refusal of entry, and potential risk of abandonment. The FDA reviews entries to determine compliance with U.S. regulations and may require a secondary inspection.
In general, shippers must:

1. Determine if FDA Regulation Applies (e.g. food items)
2. Prepare Required Documentation
3. File Prior Notice (PN) with the FDA before the shipment arrives to the border
4. Provide complete and accurate data on your entry submission

For more detail, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration web page.

HTS Chapters: 7- 23 and 25

• All items must be labeled in English.

• A commercial invoice that includes complete description, country of manufacture, and value for each item must be written in English.

• Name and address of each manufacturer.

• Prior Notice must be provided for all food for humans and animals that is imported or offered for import into the United States.

  • Customers are encouraged to file and provide the Prior Notice System Interface (PNSI) number as part of their shipments to avoid delays (click here for details and guide).

    • It is recommended to attach the document containing the PNSI number.
    • Alternatively, the number may be entered in the invoice line reference field or the invoice comments sections.

  • UPS can also file a PNSI for you at a fee.

Specific requirements apply to shipments containing cosmetics (HTS Chapters: 33, 3401, 9616)

• The product labeling must be labeled in English.
• The commercial invoice must include a complete description, country of manufacture, and value for each item / product. The commercial invoice must also include the Product Identification Number and be written in English.
• The name and address of each manufacturer must be included.
• Branded goods (patented name and / or product) must have an authorization letter from the corporate owner of the brand (if shipped by a third party).

Specific requirements apply to shipments containing medical devices (HTS Chapter 90)

• All items should be labeled in English
• Manufacturer FDA Registration Number
• Exporter FDA Registration Number.
• Name and address of the manufacturer
• Product Medical Device Listing Number
• Product PMN (510k) Number, if applicable
• FDA product code
• Intended use by importer
• Shipments containing sunglasses or lenses require an Impact Resistance or Drop Ball Certificate