Our online shipping tool will guide you through each step of the international shipping process. We’ve outlined the main steps to help ensure you’re prepared and informed.

• Every country has different shipping regulations. Look up country-specific shipping restrictions and service options.

• There are also rules for special-care or prohibited items. If you are shipping a large parcel, please be aware of size and weight restrictions.

• You’ll need several specific details about your shipment to avoid delays. These include:

  • The item’s harmonized tariff (HTS) code
  • The country where the item was made or assembled, and what materials it is made of
  • The value of the shipment

Most goods that cross into or out of the EU require VAT. Here’s what you need to know, whether you’re shipping as a business or an individual:

• You may need to register for a VAT number in the EU country you’re selling to. (Register here on the European Commission website.)

  • If you’re selling to customers in multiple EU countries, it might be faster to register for with the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS). The IOSS was created to facilitate and simplify the declaration and payment of VAT for sales of imported goods with a value less than €150.
  • If you have registered for an EU Import One Stop Shop (IOSS) number, we can store it in our UPS shipping systems, eliminating the need for you to provide this number each time you make a shipment. To do so, please complete and return below Power of Attorney (POA) document.
  • If you sell on an online marketplace, the marketplace is responsible for determining the intrinsic value of the goods that you sold on their platform. The VAT for those goods can be paid through the new IOSS platform.
  • If you do not provide UPS with the Power of Attorney document, please ensure that your IOSS number is entered in your UPS shipping system for each shipment that meets the criteria. Download the EU VAT Shipping Systems Guide to find out how.

• An EORI number (Economic Operator’s Registration and Identification number) is a unique identifier assigned to businesses that import and export between EU and non-EU countries to keep track of the movement of goods.

  • Without an EORI number, your goods may be held at customs until you supply your paperwork in its entirety.
  • As long as your business is registered for VAT in your own country, you can register for an EORI number via your country’s customs website (listed here).
  • You will need to enter this number on the commercial invoice included with your shipment.

To know more about the EORI number and how to register for it, watch this video.

• If the item you’re shipping is a gift worth €45 or less, you will not be charged VAT or import duties.
  
  To qualify as gifts, goods must be:

  • described as gifts on the customs declaration
  • for a birthday, anniversary or other occasion
  • bought and sent between individuals (not companies)
  • intended for personal use

If your gift does not meet these requirements for VAT exemption, you can check the VAT rate for your destination country for the EU or the UK.

Keep in mind, you can always get an estimate of all landed costs by entering a few details about your shipment.

• You will need to enter both shipper and recipient (including third-party payor if applicable) information, keeping in mind some countries use unique formats for addresses or postal codes. Get address tips here.
• It is important that the contact information you provide is complete because (based upon the Incoterms you select) either you or the recipient will be contacted in the event that additional fees are due or the parcel is held in customs.

• You will be asked whether you’re using your own packaging materials or UPS packaging. Get packaging tips here.
• You will need to provide your parcel dimensions and weight. It is critical to provide accurate size and/or weight details to avoid delays or extra fees. Learn how to measure your parcel.
• Choose the international shipping service that’s best for your timeline and budget.
• Schedule a UPS collection or drop off your parcel at a UPS location at your convenience.

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• Before your international shipment can be delivered, it will need to clear customs. You’ll need to complete a commercial invoice and any other required customs forms. We will guide you through all customs form requirements in our shipping tool.

• For customs clearance, it is critical that you provide full and specific information. You’ll need to provide details such as:

  • A clear item description with details such as materials used (Instead of “shirt” or “gift,” write “cotton T-shirt” or “ceramic mug”)
  • The purpose of your shipment (i.e. a gift, items you sold, documents of no value, etc.)
  • The item’s harmonized tariff (HTS) code. An incorrect code can lead to customs delays or even fines.
  • The country where the item was made or assembled
  • How the item is packed
  • The value of the shipment. Please provide both the quantity and value of the items in the parcel. This helps calculate the applicable duties, taxes and fees.

• If you have a UPS account, we can transmit your customs forms digitally (to enable Paperless^® Invoice, go to your account options screen to begin enrollment). If you don’t have an account, open one here or you’ll need to print out three copies of the commercial invoice and include it with your parcel.

• You’ll be able to review all the shipment details one final time before paying and printing your shipping label.
• Attach your shipping label to your parcel (along with your customs forms and 3 copies of your commercial invoice, if you aren’t transmitting them digitally).
• If you don’t have a label printer, swing by your nearest UPS Customer Centre and they can print it for you.

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Need Additional Resources for International Shipping?

Explore more customs compliance and delivery guides to help you ship globally with confidence.