Sending a package from the United States to another country used to mean a long queue at the post office and a paper customs form filled out in triplicate. In 2026, almost all international shipments start online, customs data is exchanged electronically, and the difference between the cheapest and most expensive option for the same parcel can be 3× or more. This guide walks you through every step so your first (or hundredth) international shipment lands cleanly. ## Step 1: Confirm the item can actually go Before pricing anything, check whether the item is legal to export from the US, legal to import into the destination country, and legal to fly on a passenger aircraft. Common blockers: - **Lithium batteries** — allowed but strictly regulated. Loose batteries generally cannot fly. - **Perfume, nail polish, aerosols** — ORM-D/dangerous-goods restrictions apply. - **Food** — many countries block meat, dairy, seeds, and honey. The UK and EU also ban many US-origin foods. - **Electronics with encryption** — a small subset are subject to US export controls. - **Anything on the [USPS International Prohibitions](https://about.usps.com/postal-explorer/) list** for your destination country. If the parcel contains anything unusual, spend five minutes on the destination country's customs website before booking. ## Step 2: Weigh, measure, and photograph Get an accurate weight and outer-box dimensions. Under-declaring either triggers rebills that always cost more than the original label. Photograph the item before packing — a claim without evidence of condition is much harder to win. ## Step 3: Choose a carrier For most shippers there are four practical options from the US: | Option | Speed | Cost | Best for | |---|---|---|---| | USPS International (Priority, Priority Express, First-Class Package International) | 6–20 days | Cheapest for <2 kg | Small parcels, low-value items | | DHL Express Worldwide | 1–4 business days | Highest published rate; cheapest via aggregators | Time-critical, high-value | | FedEx International Priority / Economy | 1–5 business days | Similar to DHL; cheaper to Canada/Mexico | Heavier parcels, US-neighbours | | UPS Worldwide Express / Saver | 1–5 business days | Similar to FedEx | Business-account shippers | For anything under 2 lb / 0.9 kg with 6–20 day tolerance, USPS is almost always the price winner. Above that weight, or when speed matters, DHL and FedEx usually beat USPS on cost. ## Step 4: Use an aggregator to cut cost Individual retail rates on ups.com or fedex.com are the highest prices these carriers charge anyone. Reselling platforms — Pirate Ship, Easyship, Shippo, ShipStation, MyDHL+, Parcel Monkey — resell commercial capacity at 30–60% below retail. For DHL, Easyship discounts are especially strong; for FedEx, Pirate Ship and Shippo lead. Create a free account, plug in the origin/destination and weight, and compare. The same 2-kg box to the UK on retail-DHL is around $148; via aggregator, closer to $75. ## Step 5: Fill in customs data correctly Every international parcel needs an electronic customs declaration. Whichever platform you use will ask for: - **Contents description** — write plain-English words ("men's cotton t-shirt", not "gift"). Vague descriptions trigger holds. - **HS code** — a 6-to-10-digit tariff code. Tools like [HS Tariff Search](https://hts.usitc.gov/) find the right one. - **Value in USD** — the true commercial value or, for gifts, the fair market value. Under-declaring is fraud and voids insurance. - **Country of origin** — where the item was manufactured, not where you're shipping it from. - **Reason for export** — sale, gift, sample, return, repair, personal use. - **EORI / VAT / IOSS numbers** — increasingly required for EU and UK commercial shipments. ## Step 6: Know the destination's duties rules The recipient — not you — usually pays duties and taxes on arrival, unless you buy "Delivered Duty Paid" (DDP) service. Key 2026 thresholds: - **UK:** £39 gift threshold; £135 VAT-on-import threshold; commercial goods over £135 owe duty + VAT. - **EU:** €0 de minimis for VAT (all commercial imports charged since 2021); €150 duty threshold. - **Canada:** CA$20 duty-free (CA$60 for gifts). - **Australia:** AU$1,000 duty-free threshold. - **Japan:** ¥10,000 duty-free threshold. If you want the buyer's experience to be smooth (retailers, especially), offer DDP at checkout and pay duties yourself. ## Step 7: Pack for the journey International parcels travel further, get handled more, and sit longer in customs than domestic ones. Over-pack: - Corrugated double-wall box for anything fragile. - Two inches of cushioning on every side. - Waterproof polybag around cardboard-boxed goods. - Remove all old labels or use a fresh outer box. - Print two copies of the customs invoice — one on the outside in a pouch, one inside. ## Step 8: Drop off and track - USPS: any post office or scheduled carrier pickup. - FedEx / UPS / DHL: staffed centres, drop boxes, or scheduled pickups. - Aggregators: label prints will tell you where to drop off (usually USPS, FedEx, or UPS). Track daily until customs clearance completes. If the parcel stalls in customs for more than 5 business days, the recipient usually needs to respond to a broker email — proactively ask them to check. ## Step 9: Handle problems fast - **Duties higher than expected?** The recipient can dispute at the border, but usually easier to pay and file a duty-drawback claim later. - **Parcel returned to sender?** Usually a customs paperwork issue or refused delivery. Return shipping is charged; you get zero refund on the outbound. - **Lost or damaged?** File a claim with the carrier within their stated window (7–30 days). Retain all evidence — photos, receipts, tracking history. ## Bottom line International shipping from the US in 2026 is faster and cheaper than ever if you use an aggregator, get the customs data right, and pick the carrier that best matches your weight, speed, and destination. Don't default to retail rates and don't guess at HS codes — both are easy money-savers.