The short answer

International shipping costs more than the postage shown at checkout. The final bill may include customs duties, taxes, brokerage or clearance charges, fuel or remote-area surcharges, delivery fees, and optional insurance.

For a shipment sent from or received in the United States, check these points before paying or handing over the package:

1. The carrier and destination country both accept the item.
2. The quoted price makes clear who pays duties, taxes, and clearance charges.
3. The customs description, value, origin, and recipient details are accurate.
4. You know what to do if customs holds, delays, damages, or loses the shipment.

The carrier's current service terms and the destination country's customs rules control the shipment. A general shipping checklist can't replace those rules.

Before you buy or ship

If you're buying from an international seller

Ask the seller:

• Does the price cover postage only, or also duties, taxes, and clearance charges?
• Who pays if customs assesses an additional charge?
• Which carrier and service will deliver the order?
• Will tracking cover the entire route or only part of it?
• What happens if customs refuses the item or the package is returned?
• Who will open a carrier claim if the shipment is lost?

Terms such as "duties paid" and "duties unpaid" describe how the seller's shipping arrangement is intended to handle import charges. Read the checkout terms instead of treating a "free shipping" label as proof that border charges are included.

A low-value exemption is not universal. The amount, eligible products, origin, and entry method can vary by destination and can change. A threshold used in one country doesn't automatically apply in another.

If you're sending a package yourself

Give the carrier an accurate description, value, destination address, and contact details. If the parcel contains merchandise, describe it as merchandise. Don't label a purchase as a gift to avoid a possible charge.

Keep the mailing receipt, tracking number, customs declaration, invoice, photographs of the contents, and any written agreement about who pays import charges. Those records can help if the package is delayed or a claim is filed.

What international shipping really costs

A carrier quote is only one part of the delivered cost.

Some carriers calculate dimensional weight, which reflects the space a box occupies rather than only its scale weight. Measure the packed parcel, not just the product.

When comparing DHL, FedEx, UPS, and USPS, request quotes using the same weight, dimensions, value, contents, and delivery speed. Ask whether each quote includes brokerage, duties, taxes, fuel surcharges, and insurance. The lowest postage price may not produce the lowest delivered cost.

Prohibited and restricted items

Two sets of rules apply: the carrier's rules and the destination country's rules. An item accepted by one carrier or service may still be refused by customs or prohibited in the destination country.

Potentially restricted categories include:

• Firearms, ammunition, explosives, and controlled substances
• Alcohol, tobacco, medicines, food, and cosmetics
• Plants, seeds, animal products, and biological materials
• Aerosols, flammable liquids, dry ice, and other hazardous materials
• Lithium batteries and battery-powered equipment
• Valuable documents, cash, and certain cultural or antique items

These categories aren't treated the same way everywhere. The exact product, quantity, packaging, transport method, and destination matter.

USPS warns that mercury is prohibited in international mail, including mercury in devices such as antique thermometers, barometers, switches, and certain lamps. Check the USPS international shipping restrictions before using the postal service. For broader USPS rules and country information, use Postal Explorer.

Lithium batteries and electronics

Battery restrictions can depend on whether the battery is loose or installed in equipment, its rating, the packaging, the transport method, and the destination.

Before shipping an electronic device:

1. Identify the battery type and rating.
2. Check the carrier's current dangerous-goods instructions.
3. Confirm whether the service accepts loose batteries or devices containing batteries.
4. Package the device so it can't switch on or move inside the box.
5. Declare the contents accurately.

Never conceal a battery, hazardous material, or restricted item in a parcel. An inaccurate declaration can lead to refusal, delay, seizure, or an insurance exclusion.

Customs forms and HS codes

Customs officials use the shipment description, value, origin, and product classification to decide whether a package can enter and whether charges apply.

A declaration or commercial invoice may ask for:

• A specific description of each item
• Quantity and weight
• Purchase price or declared value
• Currency
• Country of origin
• Reason for export, such as sale, gift, sample, or return
• Recipient contact information
• An HS code when required

Avoid descriptions such as "goods," "parts," "samples," or "various items." Identify what the product is and what it is made of, such as "cotton T-shirt" or "plastic phone case."

The Harmonized System uses a common six-digit structure, while individual countries may add more digits. The correct code depends on the product's characteristics, not simply its online store category. If the classification is unclear, check the destination's official tariff information or ask a customs broker. Don't guess a code to obtain a lower duty rate.

The invoice and customs declaration should match. A different value, quantity, or description on the label can trigger a document request or inspection.

Choosing between USPS, DHL, FedEx, and UPS

No carrier is automatically best for every international package. Compare the service and its terms, not just the brand.

Express services can reduce transit time but usually cost more. Economy or postal services may provide fewer scans or involve more handoffs. A fast service or detailed tracking page doesn't remove the need for accurate customs paperwork.

For a valuable shipment, compare coverage and the claims process before comparing small differences in postage. Confirm whether signature delivery is available and whether the recipient's address can receive the selected service.

A practical packing and shipping checklist

Before handing over the package:

• Check the carrier's prohibited and restricted-item rules.
• Check the destination country's requirements.
• Use a sturdy box and protect each item from movement.
• Seal liquids and protect them from leaks.
• Remove old labels and barcodes from reused packaging.
• Record the packed weight and dimensions.
• Complete the customs declaration with specific, accurate information.
• Keep copies of the invoice and customs form.
• Photograph the item, packaging, label, and sealed parcel.
• Save the receipt and tracking number.
• Record who is expected to pay duties, taxes, and return costs.
• Buy insurance or additional coverage only after reading its exclusions and claim deadline.

If a seller is arranging shipment, save the product page, checkout page, delivery promise, and any statement about import charges. These records can help if the shipment doesn't arrive as described.

Customs holds and tracking delays

A tracking status such as "arrived at customs" doesn't by itself mean the package is lost. The shipment may be waiting for an invoice, payment, import permit, inspection, or information from the recipient. Postal and courier packages may also receive fewer scans during handoffs between countries.

If tracking stops moving:

1. Enter the tracking number manually on the carrier's official website.
2. Check whether the carrier is requesting documents or payment.
3. Contact the carrier and ask for the exact reason for the hold.
4. If the package is with destination customs, ask whether the recipient must provide information.
5. Ask for the response deadline and whether storage or return charges may apply.
6. Keep the case number and all messages.
7. If the service's expected delivery window has passed, ask whether an inquiry or loss claim can be opened.

Don't pay a customs demand through an unverified text-message link or email. Open the carrier's website yourself or use the contact information on the original receipt.

How to handle a lost international package

A missed tracking scan isn't conclusive proof of loss, particularly while a parcel is in customs. If the package is materially overdue or the carrier confirms it can't be located, take these steps.

1. Use the correct claim category

If the carrier form separates "lost," "damaged," and "missing contents," choose the category that matches what happened. Lost and damaged requests can require different evidence. If the package arrived with an empty box or missing items, don't automatically report it as a complete loss.

2. Notify the seller if it was a purchase

Contact the seller promptly and provide the tracking history. The person or business that purchased the postage may be the party allowed to open the carrier claim. Ask the seller who will file it and how they plan to address the missing order. Duplicate claims may not speed up the process.

A carrier claim and a seller refund may be separate matters. The seller's terms and the payment method may have their own deadlines, so ask about those options while the carrier investigates.

3. Gather supporting evidence

Prepare:

• The tracking or label number
• The mailing receipt
• The sender and recipient addresses
• The customs declaration or commercial invoice
• An itemized description and value
• Proof of payment or the order confirmation
• Photos of the item and packaging
• Evidence of damage, if applicable
• Messages with the carrier or seller

Keep the amount consistent with the invoice and customs declaration. An unexplained difference can delay the review.

4. File through the official channel

For eligible USPS international claims, the USPS international claims instructions say to gather supporting documents and the 13-digit tracking or label number. The page identifies numbers beginning with EA-EZ, CA-CZ, HC-HZ, or RA-RZ and ending in US. It also directs users to create an online inquiry.

USPS service availability and claim eligibility can vary by destination and service. Check the current instructions rather than relying on an old receipt or a third-party claims website.

A USPS postage or fee refund uses a separate process. The international claims page directs users to the USPS instructions for international refunds.

5. Check coverage before expecting payment

A customs value isn't automatically proof that an item was insured. Carrier liability, purchased insurance, declared-value coverage, and exclusions are different concepts.

Review:

• The maximum covered amount
• Whether the item category is excluded
• Whether inadequate packaging affects coverage
• Who may file the claim
• The filing deadline
• Which proof of value is accepted
• Whether shipping charges are included in a successful claim

A carrier may deny or limit a claim for a prohibited item, unsupported value, missing documents, or late filing. The carrier's service terms control the result.

6. Keep the outcome in writing

Save the claim number, submission date, uploaded documents, decision, and any request for more information. If a claim is denied, ask for the specific reason and whether missing evidence or a review process is available.

Returns and refused packages

An international return can create a second customs transaction. Use the merchant's return label when available and describe the shipment accurately as a return. Keep the original order, invoice, tracking record, and proof of return.

Before refusing a package, ask the seller and carrier:

• Where the package will go next
• Who pays return postage
• Whether duties or taxes have already been assessed
• Whether storage or disposal charges may apply
• How the seller handles a refused delivery

Refusing delivery doesn't automatically cancel an order or guarantee that every charge will disappear. Get the seller's return instructions in writing.

Frequently asked questions

Does international shipping include customs fees?

Not necessarily. A seller or carrier may quote postage separately from duties, taxes, brokerage, or other import charges. Check the order terms and ask who pays before completing the purchase.

Is the U.S. low-value threshold valid for every country?

No. Import thresholds are jurisdiction-specific and can depend on the product, origin, value, and entry method. Confirm the current rule for the destination.

How do I find the right HS code?

Describe the product precisely, check the relevant official tariff information, and ask a customs broker if the classification is unclear. The first six digits follow the international Harmonized System structure, but countries can add their own digits.

Are electronics with lithium batteries allowed?

Sometimes, but acceptance depends on the battery, packaging, service, transport method, and destination. Check the carrier's dangerous-goods instructions before buying a label.

How long does international shipping take?

There is no single delivery time. The selected service, customs processing, weather, transportation handoffs, and destination conditions can all affect arrival. Use the carrier's estimate as a planning guide, not proof that a package is lost.

What should I do first if tracking stops?

Check the official tracking page, look for a customs request, and contact the carrier with the tracking number. If the package is a purchase, notify the seller at the same time so separate seller or payment deadlines aren't missed.

Before placing an order, save the checkout terms that explain import charges. Before shipping, check the destination restrictions, photograph the sealed parcel, and keep the receipt, customs documents, and tracking number.