How to Ship from the US to Portugal: Complete 2026 Guide

Introduction

Portugal is a Western European nation of approximately 10.3 million people located on the Iberian Peninsula, with a coastline facing the Atlantic Ocean. As a member of the European Union, Portugal follows EU customs regulations and tax rules, including the Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) system introduced in July 2021. Shipping from the United States to Portugal is straightforward once you understand the EU customs framework and Portugal's specific requirements.

Portugal has seen significant growth in cross-border e-commerce, with Portuguese consumers increasingly purchasing from US-based retailers and individuals. The country's postal system, CTT (Correios de Portugal), is efficient and provides good coverage throughout the country, including the Azores and Madeira archipelagos. Portugal's logistics infrastructure has improved markedly over the past decade, and delivery times from the US are competitive with other Western European destinations.

Since July 2021, the EU eliminated the previous 22-euro VAT exemption for imports. This means all goods imported into Portugal from outside the EU are now subject to VAT (IVA in Portuguese) regardless of value. However, the customs duty exemption for goods valued at or below 150 euros remains in place. Understanding this two-tier system is essential for accurate cost estimation.

Best Carriers for Shipping to Portugal

USPS (United States Postal Service)

USPS provides reliable and affordable service to Portugal. Priority Mail International delivers in 6 to 10 business days, First-Class Package International Service handles items under 4.4 pounds in 7 to 21 days, and Priority Mail Express International delivers in 3 to 5 business days with tracking and insurance. CTT handles final delivery within Portugal.

USPS service to the Azores and Madeira is available through the same services, though transit times may be 2 to 5 days longer than mainland Portugal.

UPS

UPS Worldwide Express delivers to major Portuguese cities in 2 to 3 business days, with Worldwide Saver at 2 to 4 days and Worldwide Expedited at 3 to 5 days. UPS operates efficient customs clearance through Portuguese entry points and provides comprehensive tracking throughout.

FedEx

FedEx International Priority delivers to Portugal in 2 to 4 business days, with International Economy at 4 to 6 days. FedEx has good coverage in mainland Portugal, though service to the islands may require additional transit time. FedEx handles customs clearance and can offer DDP terms.

DHL Express

DHL Express Worldwide delivers to Portugal in 2 to 4 business days with reliable customs processing. DHL has a strong presence throughout the EU and leverages its European network for efficient routing to Portugal.

Shipping Costs and Transit Times

Estimated costs for a 5-pound package from the US East Coast to Lisbon:

Shipments to the Azores or Madeira may incur additional surcharges of $5 to $15. Using atoship commercial rates provides savings of 40% to 89%.

Customs, Duties, and Import Regulations

As an EU member, Portugal follows EU-wide customs regulations with Portuguese-specific tax rates.

De Minimis and Duty Threshold

Since July 2021, all goods imported into the EU from non-EU countries are subject to VAT regardless of value. There is no longer any VAT exemption for low-value goods. However, goods valued at 150 euros (approximately $165 USD) or below are exempt from customs duties, though VAT still applies. This two-tier system means that packages under 150 euros owe VAT only, while packages over 150 euros owe both customs duties and VAT.

IOSS (Import One-Stop Shop)

The EU IOSS system allows online sellers to collect VAT at the point of sale for goods valued at 150 euros or below. If the seller is registered for IOSS and collects VAT at checkout, the goods enter Portugal without additional VAT charges at the border. If the seller is not IOSS-registered, the carrier or postal service collects VAT upon delivery.

Customs Duties

For goods valued above 150 euros, Portugal applies EU Common Customs Tariff rates:

IVA (Imposto sobre o Valor Acrescentado)

Portugal's standard IVA rate is 23%, one of the higher VAT rates in the EU. Reduced rates of 13% and 6% apply to certain goods:

IVA for the Azores is slightly lower at 16% (standard), 9% (intermediate), and 4% (reduced). Madeira applies 22% (standard), 12% (intermediate), and 5% (reduced).

Required Documentation

Shipments to Portugal require a commercial invoice or customs declaration (CN22/CN23 for postal), complete item descriptions, declared values in euros or USD, HS tariff codes, country of origin, IOSS registration number (if applicable), and EORI number for commercial importers.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Portugal, as an EU member, prohibits the import of narcotics and controlled substances, counterfeit goods, weapons and ammunition without permits, products made from endangered species (CITES), meat and dairy products from non-EU countries without veterinary certificates, plants and soil without phytosanitary certificates, and certain pesticides and chemicals banned in the EU.

Restricted items include pharmaceutical products requiring INFARMED authorization, food supplements requiring notification to ASAE (food safety authority), electronics requiring CE marking for commercial sale, cosmetics requiring CPNP notification, tobacco products subject to excise duties, alcohol subject to excise duties, and drones requiring registration.

The EU meat and dairy import ban is strictly enforced. Personal shipments of meat, dairy products, or items containing these ingredients from the US will be confiscated at the border. Commercially produced and properly certified products may be permitted with appropriate documentation.

Packaging Tips for International Shipments

Standard international packaging practices apply for shipments to Portugal. Use sturdy corrugated boxes appropriate for the contents' weight. Wrap fragile items individually with bubble wrap or foam padding. Fill all void spaces to prevent shifting during transit. Apply reinforced tape in H-pattern on all seams.

Portugal's Atlantic climate means packages may encounter moisture during transit or storage. Include moisture protection for sensitive items. Address labels should include the full Portuguese postal code (4-digit code followed by a dash and 3-digit code, such as 1000-001 for central Lisbon). Including the recipient's phone number helps carriers coordinate delivery, especially for apartment buildings.

Tracking and Insurance Options

All carriers provide tracking to Portugal. USPS tracking transfers to CTT, which provides detailed updates through their online tracking system. CTT tracking is reliable and updates frequently. Private carriers maintain their own tracking systems with real-time updates including customs clearance status.

USPS includes up to $200 insurance with Priority Mail Express International. Private carriers offer declared value coverage up to $50,000. Portugal's postal and delivery systems are reliable, but insurance is recommended for shipments over $200 given the transit distance.

How to Save on International Shipping

Use atoship commercial rates for carrier savings of 40% to 89%. Keep shipment values at or below 150 euros to avoid customs duties (VAT still applies). Use USPS for lightweight packages under 4 pounds. Consider purchasing from IOSS-registered sellers to prepay VAT and simplify customs clearance.

Ship to mainland Portugal rather than the islands when possible to avoid surcharges. Consolidate items into single shipments to reduce per-package handling fees. Accurately declare values and use correct HS codes to ensure the lowest applicable duty rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does shipping from the US to Portugal take? Express services deliver in 2 to 5 business days. Economy USPS services take 7 to 21 days. Customs clearance adds 1 to 3 business days.

Do I pay duties on all packages to Portugal? VAT (IVA) at 23% applies to all imports regardless of value. Customs duties apply only to goods valued above 150 euros. Goods under 150 euros owe VAT only.

What is the IOSS and how does it affect me? IOSS allows sellers to collect EU VAT at checkout for orders under 150 euros. If VAT is collected via IOSS, no additional tax is charged at the Portuguese border. If not, CTT or the carrier collects VAT upon delivery.

Can I ship food to Portugal? Non-perishable, commercially packaged foods (except meat and dairy) can generally be shipped for personal use. Meat and dairy products from non-EU countries are banned by EU regulations. Wine and spirits require proper documentation and face excise duties.

Is shipping to the Azores or Madeira more expensive? Slightly. Expect $5 to $15 more and 2 to 5 additional days compared to mainland Portugal. IVA rates are slightly lower in the Azores and Madeira than on the mainland.

Do I need an EORI number to ship to Portugal? Individual receivers of personal packages do not need an EORI number. Commercial importers must have an EORI number registered with Portuguese customs.