International Shipping Basics

Our ups.com web shipping tool will help guide you through the shipping process and ensure that you fill out the correct forms. However, there are a few factors that you should be aware of before shipping goods into another country, ranging from variations in address and postal code format in other countries to impactful local laws and import regulations.

Check the trade regulations and customs requirements to make sure you can legally ship your commodity. Some countries have special provisions, requirements, or restrictions. We have created an easy-to-use online tool to help you learn more about the global markets you're shipping to or from.

When you ship internationally, you will need to provide a detailed description of the contents and its packaging. Are your products perishable? Are they considered dangerous during transport or banned in certain regions? Inaccurate or vague shipment descriptions are some of the most common reasons for customs delays and holds.

As you enter your details on ups.com, our shipping tool will create your shipping label, commercial invoice, and other customs documents, making the shipping process as easy as possible. However, locking down the following details about your shipment ahead of time will help you clear customs faster.

• What is it? A thorough written description of your shipment will help you correctly fill out the information needed for customs clearance, i.e. "50 5mm stainless steel washers," rather than "Hardware."
• What is the product's intended use? You'll need to describe whether your shipment is intended for sale, resale or manufacture. If your shipment is a document, it does not require a commercial invoice form.
• What is the product made from, and where was it made? This is the country of origin of the product. It may not be the country it is being shipped from—but the country where the product was initially manufactured.
  
  
• What is the value of the shipment? Think about the purchase price of the merchandise you're shipping, on a per-unit basis. The price should be listed in the currency of the country it was purchased in.

Explore all of your international shipping options at a glance with our interactive shipping tool. You can select your criteria and compare all our ground, air, ocean and worldwide freight services so you can easily find the service that fits your timetable and your budget.

Our Calculate Time and Cost application provides you with the rate and delivery time information based upon the service level you select.

You can also estimate the export cost of your shipment, often called "total landed costs" using the UPS TradeAbility landed cost estimator. This tool helps you estimate the cost of transportation and related fees to get the shipment to the receiver's doorstep. In order to most accurately calculate your total landed costs, you should find the harmonized tariff code for the product that you'll be shipping.

By their very nature, international shipments often require more handling than those going shorter distances. That's why packaging is critically important. Our packaging guidelines can help you prepare your shipment, whether it's small package or freight. Or utilize our Packaging Advisor, which provides specific recommendations based on the characteristics of what you're shipping.

Once your shipment is out of sight, we understand that it's far from out of mind. Keeping tabs is easy with our tracking tool.