How To Ship Across Borders

Each country enforces its own import rules. Use our fast lookup tool to verify restrictions, license requirements, and service availability before sending anything.

Check country‑specific rules →

• Sensitive or forbidden products need extra attention.
• Oversized parcels must respect size and weight limits.
• As the shipper, you are fully responsible for confirming all regulations and whether your products require inspection.

Accurate details prevent customs delays. You'll need:

• The product's intended purpose (sale, resale, or manufacturing)
• Materials used to make the item
• Country where the product was made
• Shipment value
• Complete sender and receiver details — some countries require special address formats

A commercial invoice is required for every cross‑border shipment (except documents with no commercial value). Extra forms may be needed depending on what you're sending.

Our shipping tool will walk you through all required documents when you create your label. We also offer an overview of common customs forms and certificates.

• UPSSexpress Paperless® Invoice: Submit your documents digitally for faster clearance.
• No UPSSexpress account? You'll need to print three copies of the commercial invoice and attach them to your package.

Duties, taxes, and fees may be paid by the shipper, the receiver, or a third party.

• Delivery Duty Paid (DDP): Shipper pays — provides a better buyer experience.
• Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU): Receiver pays — the default when you use a credit card without a UPSSexpress account.

If you do not have a UPSSexpress payment account, you can choose who pays when generating the label. If the receiver refuses to pay, UPSSexpress may recover the amount from you.

Harmonized System codes help customs identify products so duties can be applied correctly. An incorrect code can cause delays or penalties.

You don't need to memorize the exact tariff code, but you must give a detailed product description (e.g., "men's 100% cotton sweatshirt" instead of "clothing" or "gift").

Find your HS code →

• Steel: Must include country of melt and pour, content value, and content weight.
• Aluminum: Country of most recent cast, country of largest smelt, country of second largest smelt, content value and weight.
• Copper: Content value and weight required.

Any shipment subject to U.S. Food and Drug Administration rules must include:

• All labels in English.
• Commercial invoice with a complete description, country of manufacture, and value for each item (in English).
• Manufacturer FDA Registration Number and Exporter FDA Registration Number if applicable.
• Name and address of each manufacturer.

• All items must be labeled in English.
• Commercial invoice must include a complete description, country of manufacture, and value for each item (in English).
• Provide the name and address of each manufacturer.
• Prior Notice (PN) must be submitted for all food (for humans or animals) before arrival. File through the FDA's Prior Notice System Interface (PNSI).
• Attach the document containing the PNSI number, or enter the number in the invoice line reference / comments section. UPSSexpress can also file a PN for a fee.

• Product labels must be in English.
• Commercial invoice: complete description, country of manufacture, value, and Product Identification Number (in English).
• Include name and address of each manufacturer.
• Branded goods require an authorization letter from the brand owner (if the shipper is a third party).

• All items labeled in English.
• Manufacturer FDA Registration Number & Exporter FDA Registration Number.
• Name and address of manufacturer.
• Product Medical Device Listing Number; PMN (510k) Number if applicable; FDA product code.
• Intended use by importer.
• Sunglasses or lenses require an Impact Resistance or Drop Ball Certificate.