The Complete Guide to International Shipping for Ecommerce

International shipping for ecommerce requires selecting the right carrier for each destination, preparing accurate customs documentation, and understanding how duties and taxes work in your target markets. This guide covers carriers, required documents, HS codes, duties, insurance, returns, and currency—everything you need to start shipping internationally through Shippo.

Which Carriers Should You Use for International Shipping?

The right carrier depends on your product, your customers, and how much control you want over the delivery experience. Start by asking: are your customers price-sensitive and patient, or are they paying a premium and expecting fast, tracked delivery?

Because international shipping costs are 3–5x higher than domestic, even a small difference in carrier rates has a real impact on margin. That's why every dollar difference in carrier rates hits harder on international shipments than domestic, and why rate shopping across multiple carriers matters more when you're shipping overseas. Shippo gives you access to discounted rates across 40+ carriers in one place, so you can compare and pick without bouncing between websites.

DHL Express

DHL Express is the go-to for international e-commerce merchants who need speed and reliability. Deliveries typically reach major markets in 1–2 business days, with time-specific options (9:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM). DHL handles customs clearance directly, acting as a registered customs broker on your behalf—which means fewer headaches when packages hit the border.

This is especially true during peak season, when DHL's direct relationship with customs authorities becomes an advantage—packages keep moving instead of sitting in a queue.

DHL implemented a 5.9 percent general average price increase for U.S. Express shipments effective January 1, 2026. Fuel surcharges adjust monthly.

USPS International Services

USPS offers three international service levels: First-Class Package International Service, Priority Mail International, and Priority Mail Express International. The drop-off process is the same as domestic—hand it to your carrier or drop it in the mailbox.

But USPS transfers your package to the local postal service at the border, and you and your customers may lose tracking visibility entirely once it crosses. If reliable end-to-end tracking is important to your buyers, DHL Express is a better fit.

Note: USPS discontinued its Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) service on Sept. 29, 2024.

FedEx and UPS International

FedEx and UPS both offer competitive international services—FedEx International Priority and Economy, UPS Worldwide Express and Standard. They're worth rate shopping, particularly for high-value shipments or specific corridors where their networks are strongest. Both carriers have added per-pound demand surcharges for Middle East, South Asia, and Africa routes as of early 2026.

How to Compare Carriers

What Documents Do You Need for International Shipments?

Most international shipments require two types of documentation: the customs declaration and the commercial invoice. Shippo generates both as part of the label purchase process.

Customs Declaration

The customs declaration is built into the international shipping label itself. It declares the contents of the package for regulatory purposes. Customs authorities use it to determine whether goods can enter the country, what restrictions apply, and how to classify the contents.

As of Sept. 1, 2025, all international commercial shipments must include a six-digit HS (Harmonized System) code on the customs declaration. This is a Universal Postal Union (UPU) mandate, and it applies across all carriers and mail classes. More on HS codes below.

As of Feb. 2, 2026, EU-bound shipments require enhanced customs descriptions as part of the ICS2 (Import Control System 2) reform. Generic terms like "merchandise," "gift," or "clothes" are no longer accepted. You need specific descriptions: "Men's Cotton T-Shirt," "Women's Leather Sneakers." Shipments with vague descriptions face delays or rejection.

Commercial Invoice

The commercial invoice is a separate document from the label. You'll need three copies, placed in a clear pouch on the outside of the package—visible and removable so a customs officer can review it without opening the box.

The commercial invoice is used for taxation and duty assessment. It needs to include:

• Shipper and recipient name and address
• Detailed description of each item
• Quantity, unit value, and total value per item
• Country of origin
• HS code (six-digit minimum; U.S. HTS codes are 10 digits)
• Incoterms (see the Duties section below)

USPS is one of the few carriers where the customs information is built into the label itself, so a separate commercial invoice is typically not required for USPS international shipments.

What Is an HS Code and How Do You Find Yours?

An HS (Harmonized System) code is a standardized six-digit number used by customs authorities worldwide to classify products. Every product traded internationally has one. Getting the code right speeds up clearance and helps customs officers accurately assess duties.

As of September 2025, HS codes are mandatory on all international commercial shipments—not optional.

The U.S. uses the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS), which extends to 10 digits. The first six digits are the international HS code. The next two identify the U.S.-specific duty subheading, and the last two are a statistical suffix. For most Shippo label purchases, entering a six-digit code is sufficient, but 10-digit codes are required for formal entry filings on high-value shipments.

You can look up HS codes for free using these tools:

• USPS HS Code Lookup — quick, built for USPS international shipments
• Freightos HS Code Finder
• Zonos HS Code Lookup
• U.S. International Trade Commission HTS Database — official and comprehensive

The World Customs Organization (WCO) database is the authoritative global reference, but it requires a paid subscription. For most small to mid-size merchants, the free tools above cover the full product range.

How Do Customs Duties and Taxes Work?

Duties are the most unpredictable cost in international shipping, and they changed significantly in 2025.

The End of the $800 De Minimis Exemption

For years, shipments valued under $800 entering the U.S. were exempt from import duties under the de minimis rule. That exemption ended on August 29, 2025. All shipments entering the U.S. are now subject to import duties regardless of value. China and Hong Kong lost de minimis eligibility even earlier, on May 2, 2025.

If you sell to customers outside the U.S., be aware that other countries have their own thresholds, which vary widely and change periodically. Always verify the importing country's current rules before launching a new market.

DDP vs. DDU: Who Pays the Duties?

This decision affects your conversion rate as much as your cost structure.

DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) means the customer pays import duties, taxes, and customs fees upon delivery. It's simpler for the seller but creates a poor customer experience—buyers are often surprised by charges they didn't expect when they checkout, and research shows that 75 percent of global consumers say they'd reconsider buying from a retailer again after experiencing unexpected customs fees at delivery. About 10 percent of DDU parcels are refused or returned outright.

DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) means you collect duties and taxes at checkout and remit them on your customer's behalf. The customer pays one price, with no surprises at the door. With the de minimis exemption gone, DDP is increasingly the standard for merchants who want to compete internationally.

Shippo's platform lets you set Incoterms per shipment so you can offer DDP where it makes sense for your margins.

How to Estimate Duties

Duty rates vary by product category, country, and time of year, and they're set by the importing country's customs authority, which means they can shift without notice. Before pricing international orders, run them through a duty calculator like Zonos or Duty Calculator to get a working estimate.

If you're shipping products valued over $2,500, DHL Express can help you file export documentation and obtain an Internal Transaction Number (ITN) through the Automated Export System (AES), for an additional service charge.

Restricted and Prohibited Items

Before opening a new market, check the importing country's restrictions, which vary widely and aren't always obvious. The USPS International Mail Manual maintains a detailed Index of Countries and Localities with prohibited and restricted items by destination. Other carriers may have slightly different limitations on weight and size, so confirm with each carrier if you're rate shopping.

Should You Buy Shipping Insurance?

Yes, especially for international shipments. More handling points means more risk: damage, loss, and theft are all more likely than on a domestic route. If you're selling fragile or premium products, insurance isn't optional.

Through Shippo, you can add insurance coverage to any shipment via Shippo Total Protection, powered by XCover. It takes one click during the label purchase process, covers all carriers, and claims are typically processed in under three days.

How Do You Handle International Returns?

International returns are expensive and complicated, so the most important thing is to set clear expectations at checkout.

Be explicit in your return policy. Don't assume international customers will read the domestic terms and apply them to themselves. Spell out whether you accept returns from their country, who covers return shipping, and how long they have to request it.

Don't offer the same terms domestically and internationally. International return shipping costs are high enough that absorbing them on every return isn't viable for most merchants. Ask international customers to cover return shipping—this is standard for cross-border sellers, and customers expect it when they see it stated upfront.

Consider what's worth returning. For lower-value items, a refund without requiring the product back can be cheaper than paying to ship it internationally again. For higher-value items, work with a carrier experienced in the destination market.

Prepaid return labels are an option. Shippo lets you include return labels in the original shipment—you're only charged when the carrier scans and starts the return.

DHL Express is a solid option for global returns given its tracking visibility and established network in most markets.

How Should You Handle Currency for International Customers?

Display prices in the customer's local currency at checkout. Requiring customers to calculate their own conversion creates friction and increases abandonment.

Most major ecommerce platforms (Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce) support multi-currency display natively. If you're selling on international marketplaces like Amazon Germany or eBay UK, consider using a foreign exchange service to receive payments in local currency and avoid poor exchange rates and conversion fees. Services like Wise Business (formerly TransferWise) or Airwallex are commonly used for this.

FAQ

Do I need a commercial invoice for every international shipment?
Most carriers require a separate commercial invoice in addition to the customs declaration on the label. USPS is an exception—all necessary information is built into the international label. Shippo generates the correct documentation automatically as part of the label purchase flow.

What happens if I use the wrong HS code?
Using the wrong HS code can lead to delays at customs, incorrect duty assessment, or seizure of goods. In some cases, it can create compliance issues. Use a free HS code lookup tool before your first shipment to a new product category.

What is DDP shipping and should I offer it?
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) means you collect and remit duties on behalf of your customer. It removes the risk of surprise fees at delivery, which reduces refusals and improves conversion. Since the U.S. eliminated the $800 de minimis exemption in August 2025, offering DDP is increasingly important for merchants selling into new markets.

How do I avoid packages getting stuck in customs?
Use accurate, specific product descriptions (not "gift" or "merchandise"), include the correct HS code, provide a completed commercial invoice, and choose a carrier like DHL Express that has direct customs broker relationships. Accurate documentation is the single biggest factor in smooth clearance.

Can I ship any product internationally?
No. Each country has its own list of prohibited and restricted items—and it varies more than most merchants expect. Check both the carrier's restrictions and the destination country's customs authority before shipping a new product type to a new market.

Start Shipping Internationally With Shippo

Shippo gives you discounted DHL Express and USPS international rates the moment you sign up, generates your commercial invoice and customs documentation automatically, and lets you rate shop across carriers in one place. If you're ready to see what international shipping costs for a specific shipment, run a few test orders in the app.

Expanding to new markets is one of the highest-leverage moves an ecommerce business can make. Shippo gives you the infrastructure to do it without building it yourself.