5 Things You Should Know About International Shipping Restrictions and Regulations

Compared to domestic shipping, international shipping is more complicated due to stricter regulations, extensive paperwork, and import rules that vary by country. If you want your international packages to arrive without any issues, here are some things you should know about international shipping restrictions and regulations.

There is a difference between prohibited and restricted items. Restricted items are permitted under certain conditions, such as ground shipping only, or with special permits. Prohibited items, however, are completely banned and cannot be shipped under any circumstances. The tricky part is that some items that are restricted domestically are prohibited for international shipping, so you should always double-check before shipping anything abroad. Remember that each country has its own import restrictions, so you may not be able to ship a specific item to a specific country, even if it is not generally prohibited.

An international shipment may require extensive documentation. If you’re a private individual shipping a gift or a care package, you will likely only need a customs declaration form that describes the contents and value of the package. However, businesses that ship abroad are usually required to provide additional documents, such as a commercial invoice, packing slip, certificate of origin, export license, etc.

Both commercial and non-commercial packages may be subject to duties and taxes. Each country has its own regulations regarding customs duties and taxes. Some apply them only to commercial packages, while others apply them to non-commercial packages if their value exceeds a certain threshold. These duties and taxes are usually paid by the recipient, so they are not the sender’s concern. However, if you’re running a business, it is your responsibility to inform your customers that they may have to pay taxes; otherwise, they may refuse to accept the package, and it will be returned to you.

Shipping to certain countries may be suspended. The United States Postal Service (USPS) may temporarily suspend international mail acceptance for certain countries due to service disruptions, transportation unavailability, international sanctions, and other factors. These disruptions can last for a few weeks, as in the case of the 2024–2025 suspension of deliveries to Canada due to a labor strike. However, in some cases, they may be considered semi-permanent. Therefore, it is always a good idea to check USPS service alerts before shipping anything internationally.

Failure to comply with restrictions and regulations can result in delays or seizures. Every international package must go through customs. If customs authorities find missing or incorrect documents, improperly declared items, or prohibited goods in a shipment, they may delay the package, return it to the sender, impose fines, or even permanently seize the contents. To avoid these issues, it’s crucial to follow all documentation requirements, understand the laws of the destination country, and ensure that the contents of your shipment are permitted and properly declared.