International Shipping Rates from US: Country-by-Country Guide (2026)
International Shipping Rates from US: Country-by-Country Guide (2026)
Shipping internationally from the US costs anywhere from $15 to $150+ per package depending on the destination, weight, carrier, and service level. This guide breaks down actual rates and requirements for the most popular destination countries.
How International Shipping Pricing Works
International shipping rates depend on four factors:
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Weight/dimensions | Carriers charge the greater of actual weight or dimensional weight |
| Destination zone | USPS groups countries into price groups 1-9; FedEx/UPS use country-specific rates |
| Service level | Express (2-5 days) costs 3-5x more than economy (10-21 days) |
| Customs/duties | Not included in shipping cost; buyer or seller pays depending on your terms |
Carrier Comparison for International Shipping
USPS Priority Mail International
Best for packages under 4 lbs to most countries. Cheapest option for lightweight items.
- Transit time: 6-10 business days
- Max weight: 70 lbs (varies by country)
- Tracking: Full tracking to most countries
- Insurance: Included up to $100
USPS First-Class Package International
Best for items under 4 lbs when speed isn't critical.
- Transit time: 7-21 business days
- Max weight: 4 lbs
- Tracking: Limited (varies by country)
- Insurance: Not included
FedEx International Economy
Best for 5-30 lb packages where you need reliable tracking.
- Transit time: 5-7 business days
- Tracking: Full door-to-door tracking
- Customs: FedEx handles customs clearance
UPS Worldwide Saver
Best for time-sensitive shipments.
- Transit time: 1-3 business days
- Tracking: Full tracking with delivery confirmation
- Customs: UPS brokerage included
DHL Express
Best for international express and emerging markets.
- Transit time: 2-5 business days
- Coverage: 220+ countries (strongest network for developing nations)
- Customs: Included customs clearance
Rate Guide by Region
North America
Canada — The cheapest and fastest international destination from the US.
| Service | 1 lb | 5 lbs | 10 lbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail Intl | $30 | $42 | $58 |
| USPS First-Class Intl | $16 | N/A | N/A |
| FedEx Intl Economy | $28 | $38 | $52 |
| UPS Standard to Canada | $22 | $35 | $48 |
- De minimis: CAD $20 (one of the lowest — most packages incur duty)
- USMCA: Many US-made goods qualify for reduced or zero duty
Mexico — Growing market, customs can be slow.
| Service | 1 lb | 5 lbs | 10 lbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail Intl | $32 | $48 | $65 |
| FedEx Intl Economy | $35 | $52 | $70 |
| DHL Express | $40 | $58 | $78 |
- De minimis: $50 USD
- Transit: 5-7 days (express), 2-4 weeks (economy)
- Note: Mexican customs requires RFC (tax ID) for commercial imports
Western Europe
Fast, reliable delivery. EU VAT (Import One-Stop Shop) applies to all shipments.
UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands
| Service | 1 lb | 5 lbs | 10 lbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail Intl | $42 | $58 | $82 |
| FedEx Intl Economy | $45 | $62 | $88 |
| DHL Express | $48 | $65 | $92 |
| UPS Worldwide Saver | $55 | $75 | $105 |
- EU de minimis: EUR 150 (duty-free below this, but VAT always applies)
- UK de minimis: GBP 135
- VAT: 19-25% depending on country (collected at import)
- Transit: 3-5 days (express), 7-14 days (priority), 2-4 weeks (economy)
Asia-Pacific
Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan
| Service | 1 lb | 5 lbs | 10 lbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail Intl | $38 | $55 | $78 |
| FedEx Intl Economy | $48 | $68 | $95 |
| DHL Express | $50 | $70 | $98 |
- Japan de minimis: JPY 10,000 (~$67)
- Hong Kong: Free port — most goods duty-free
- Singapore: SGD $400 de minimis (~$300)
- Transit: 3-5 days (express), 7-14 days (priority)
Australia, New Zealand
| Service | 1 lb | 5 lbs | 10 lbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail Intl | $40 | $58 | $82 |
| FedEx Intl Economy | $50 | $72 | $100 |
- Australia de minimis: AUD $1,000 (~$650)
- New Zealand de minimis: NZD $1,000 (~$600)
- Transit: 4-7 days (express), 10-18 days (economy)
China, India, Southeast Asia
| Service | 1 lb | 5 lbs | 10 lbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail Intl | $35 | $52 | $75 |
| FedEx Intl Economy | $45 | $65 | $90 |
| DHL Express | $48 | $68 | $95 |
- China de minimis: CNY 50 (~$7) — nearly everything gets taxed
- India de minimis: INR 5,000 (~$60)
- Transit: 5-10 days (express), 2-6 weeks (economy)
Middle East & Africa
UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel
| Service | 1 lb | 5 lbs | 10 lbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail Intl | $45 | $62 | $88 |
| DHL Express | $52 | $72 | $100 |
| FedEx Intl Priority | $58 | $80 | $112 |
- UAE: No personal income tax, 5% VAT on imports
- Saudi Arabia: 5-15% customs duty
- DHL has the strongest network in this region
South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt
| Service | 1 lb | 5 lbs |
|---|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail Intl | $42 | $58 |
| DHL Express | $55 | $78 |
- African countries: DHL is usually the only reliable option
- Transit: 5-8 days (DHL), 2-6 weeks (USPS)
- Customs clearance can take 1-3 weeks in Nigeria and Egypt
South America
Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile
| Service | 1 lb | 5 lbs | 10 lbs |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Priority Mail Intl | $38 | $55 | $78 |
| FedEx Intl Economy | $48 | $68 | $95 |
| DHL Express | $52 | $72 | $100 |
- Brazil: Extremely high import duties (60% + ICMS tax). Customers often pay more in taxes than the product costs
- Chile: US-Chile FTA provides reduced duties on most goods
- Transit: 5-8 days (express), 2-6 weeks (economy)
Customs Documentation Checklist
Every international shipment needs:
- Commercial invoice (or customs declaration for gifts) — sender, recipient, item description, quantity, value, HS code, country of origin
- Customs form — CN22 (under $400) or CN23 (over $400) for USPS; carrier-generated for FedEx/UPS/DHL
- HS code — 6-digit harmonized system code for your product category
- Country of origin — where the product was manufactured
Tips for Reducing International Shipping Costs
- Use USPS for under 4 lbs — significantly cheaper than FedEx/UPS for lightweight items
- Use DHL for emerging markets — better customs clearance and last-mile delivery
- Ship Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) — collect duties upfront to avoid customer surprises
- Consolidate orders — batch international shipments weekly instead of daily
- Consider Flat Rate boxes — USPS International Flat Rate can save 30-50% for heavy small items