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How to Track International Shipments

We break down how to track international shipments. Learn how to stay on top of tracking updates so you can communicate this to your customers.

Shipment tracking provides visibility on where your package is along its journey. By understanding how an international shipment moves through the various networks it can help educate your customers on the tracking status and how to follow the shipments to delivery.

Let’s start by reviewing the types of international shipping available with Chit Chats and understanding the different types of tracking available with these services.

International shipping options

Chit Chats offers international shipping with the following services:

  • USPS First Class Package or Priority Mail International
    • Depending on the destination country the package will be fully or partially tracked

Tracking types

Depending on the destination some shipments may only show partial tracking versus delivery confirmation.

  • Partially tracked
    • Tracking will not include delivery confirmation and may only offer to track events for a portion of the shipment’s journey.
    • Updates may only be provided for some of the journey as this is dependent on the destination country. Tracking updates may not be available once the shipment enters the destination country as it varies by country and related to the postal authorities handling delivery.
  • Fully tracked
    • Tracking end to end with delivery confirmation.

How international shipping works

International shipments involve multiple carriers as shipments move through different shipping networks to get to the final destination. In addition international shipments involve customs clearance with the additional factor that there may be applicable customs duty and taxes.

Chit Chats partners with USPS and Asendia to ship international packages. Our partner carriers will expedite international packages in the U.S. and then shipments will travel overseas to local carriers in the destination country. Once a shipment lands it will need to clear customs before being handed off to the next carrier for final mile delivery to your customer.

The customs process will determine the shipment’s eligibility for entering the country and check whether any duties or taxes apply. Depending on the country the customs department has their own  customs guidelines. Reference this list of international duty limits before you ship.

Typically the buyer is responsible for paying the duties, taxes, and any customs clearance fees. These charges vary and are dependent on the product (the item itself), the price, package weight and dimensions, origin country, and the taxes, duties, and fees of the destination country.

If your shipment is subject to duties and taxes, the recipient may be required to pay them either before or upon delivery. It is recommended to be clear and transparent with your customers by stating your policy clearly on your website and at checkout.

If you ship to the UK and EU the collection of value-added tax (VAT) is done at the point of purchase. Simply include an Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) number for your EU shipments.

Customs has the ability to examine any package as they see fit. If any information is improperly declared, this can lead to your package being delayed or returned. Vague and generic descriptions will delay shipments and can impact delivery to your customer. This is why having a clear, detailed description and accurate value is important. Falsely declaring a shipment’s contents or value is illegal. Customers may ask you to do this so they don’t have to pay import taxes but remember, you will be liable if it is discovered.

Remember, delivery times are estimates and not guaranteed.

Ways to track international packages

The tracking from USPS and Asendia will usually provide full visibility to your customer from their tracking page. However, this can change with the destination country.

Sometimes the postal authority in the destination country does not transmit updates back to the carrier (i.e. USPS or Asendia). In these cases, you may have the option to track the shipment through the destination country’s postal authority using the carrier tracking number. For example, if a shipment is destined to Germany the local post authority is Deutsche Post and this is where you can search for tracking updates.

Reference: List from Wikipedia of National Postal Services.

  1. Track the shipment through Chit Chats tracking page using Chit Chats’ shipment ID or the carrier tracking number
  2. Track the shipment through the partner carrier’s tracking page using the carrier’s tracking number
  3. Track the shipment through the destination country’s tracking page

Learn more about international shipments in our Help & Support.