How Does International Shipping Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Our partner carriers handle package delivery up to customs at the destination country. From there, the postal service of the destination country handles package delivery to the recipient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Some items are restricted or prohibited to be shipped internationally. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Package your items as small as possible to minimize costs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Processing facilities in the destination country have different procedures which can impact the handling of your shipment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Delivery times to international destinations can vary due to customs delays depending on the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is important that you supply all of the address details required by the country you wish to ship to. For example, countries such as Oman and the United Arab Emirates require a P.O. box number rather than a street address. Find more details on USPS` guide to address information<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Start by researching specific countries (prohibited items, delivery times, exceptions etc.) and targeting customers within those areas first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shipping carriers have their own set of regulations on what can be shipped. For example, some items can be shipped via ground with USPS but not via air. See the list of USPS prohibited items<\/a> for more details or our own quick guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be aware of country-specific regulations and requirements. Some examples* of prohibited and restricted items by country. <\/p>\n\n\n\n *This list is not exhaustive, so do your research.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Restricted: Jewelry is permitted only when sent as an insured parcel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prohibited: Radio receivers, transmitters or receivers of all kinds, walkie-talkies and parts thereof; valves, antennae, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prohibited: Albums of any kind (of photographs, postcards, postage stamps, etc.). Leather goods.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Prohibited: Cigarette lighters using butane gas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Restricted: Books in the French language printed abroad must have the names of the publisher and printer shown as prescribed by the French copyright laws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Prohibited: Tickets, lists, and circulars for foreign lotteries. Works infringing copyrights covering Mexico.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Restricted: Aerosols. Christmas crackers (holiday popper).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n If you don’t know the total cost, your customer may be hit with additional charges they weren\u2019t expecting which makes for a poor customer experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Standard practice usually has the recipient responsible to pay for any import fees and duties to receive the package. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Chit Chats offers both Delivered Duties Paid (DDP) and Delivered Duties Unpaid (DDU) postage options<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have and IOSS or customs tax reference number you can ship with DDP postage. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Customers may ask you to do this so they don\u2019t have to pay import taxes but remember you will be liable if it is discovered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Be detailed and descriptive as generic descriptions will delay your packages. The more information you provide, the less chance your package will get delayed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n Some international shipments are subject to taxes and duties. The customs body in the destination country may request a tax reference number associated with your shipment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Taxes and duties will vary depending on the destination country.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sure to research any specific requirements of the destination country you are shipping to. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n HS codes are a standardized numerical method of classifying items for customs processing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some useful resources for finding an accurate HS code: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Typically international shipments are updated during initial acceptance and delivery or attempted delivery. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In some cases, there will be additional scans at delivery points, as the item moves in transit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other international services with a tracking number will only be traceable until they reach the International Service Center (ISC). Once these shipments depart the U.S. their tracking will cease to update.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Delivery to international destinations varies by country.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Depending on the country some packages may have longer delays due to customs. Delivery days provided are always an estimation in business days and never guaranteed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/chitchats.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/tracking-international-shipments-banner-1-1024x672-1.png\"){kind=tracking}
Is it a Good Fit?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Do your research and review the list of restricted and prohibited items to see if your product can be shipped to the country in question<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Small, lightweight items are ideal for international shipping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Package items with extra care<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Manage buyer\u2019s expectations with communicating delivery times<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Destination countries have different expectations for address formats<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Restricted & Prohibited Items<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Australia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
China<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Italy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
France<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Mexico<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
United Kingdom<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Customs, Duties & Taxes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Know the Total Cost Before Sending an Order to Your Customer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It Is Illegal to Mark an Item as a Gift When It Is Not<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Shipment Descriptions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Customs Tax Reference Numbers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
Harmonized System Tariff Codes (HS)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
Tracking & Delivery<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Useful International Shipping Links<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n