Shipping to Puerto Rico: Complete Guide to Costs, Requirements & Best Carriers

Quick Facts:

• Is shipping to Puerto Rico international? No, it's considered domestic shipping
• Does USPS deliver to Puerto Rico? Yes, and it's often the cheapest option
• Puerto Rico customs requirements: No customs needed for USPS, but commercial invoice required
• Shipping cost to Puerto Rico: Varies by carrier and service level
• Nearly 3 million potential customers await your business on the island

Is Puerto Rico International Shipping? Understanding the Basics

Many businesses wonder "is Puerto Rico considered international shipping?" The answer is no. Since Puerto Rico has been a U.S. territory since 1898, shipping to Puerto Rico from the mainland United States is considered domestic shipping. This means no Puerto Rico customs clearance is needed, significantly simplifying the mail to Puerto Rico process.

However, shipping to Puerto Rico does involve different requirements than standard state-to-state shipping, and shipping rates to Puerto Rico can vary significantly between carriers.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship to Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico shipping costs depend on several factors:

Factors Affecting Shipping Cost to Puerto Rico

• Package weight and dimensions
• Shipping carrier choice
• Service speed (ground vs. overnight shipping to Puerto Rico)
• Declared value of items

Is It Expensive to Ship to Puerto Rico?

"Does it cost more to ship to Puerto Rico?" Yes, shipping to Puerto Rico cost is typically higher than mainland shipping due to the island location. However, costs vary significantly by carrier and service level.

Best Carriers for Shipping to Puerto Rico

USPS Shipping to Puerto Rico

USPS shipping to Puerto Rico is often the most cost-effective choice for most packages. Here's what you need to know:

Why Choose USPS for Puerto Rico Shipping?

• Does USPS deliver to Puerto Rico? Yes, and it treats Puerto Rico like Zone 6, 7, or 8
• Cheapest shipping to Puerto Rico for packages under 70 pounds
• USPS Priority Mail to Puerto Rico offers good balance of speed and cost
• USPS flat rate to Puerto Rico provides predictable pricing
• First class postage to Puerto Rico available for lightweight items

USPS Address Format

When mailing to Puerto Rico via USPS:

• List Puerto Rico as the state (PR)
• List United States as the country
• Use proper ZIP codes (starting with 006-009)

UPS Shipping to Puerto Rico

Does UPS ship to Puerto Rico? Yes, and UPS offers several advantages:

UPS Benefits for Puerto Rico Shipping

• Does UPS deliver to Puerto Rico? Yes, with 150-pound weight limit (vs USPS 70-pound limit)
• Good for heavier packages
• UPS shipping to Puerto Rico domestic or international? It's processed at domestic rates but requires international service selection and customs forms

UPS Address Format

• List Puerto Rico as both state and country (PR)

FedEx Shipping to Puerto Rico

Does FedEx ship to Puerto Rico? Absolutely, and they excel in speed:

When to Choose FedEx

• Overnight shipping to Puerto Rico when speed is critical
• Emergency delivery services
• Higher cost but fastest delivery times
• Requires international service selection and customs forms (despite domestic rates)

FedEx Address Format

• List Puerto Rico as both state and country (PR)

Required Documentation for Shipping to Puerto Rico

Commercial Invoice Requirements

All shipments to Puerto Rico require a commercial invoice, regardless of value. This document must include:

• Shipper and recipient contact information
• Detailed item descriptions and usage
• Reason for shipment (send to Puerto Rico purpose)
• Manufacturing origin
• Item quantities and individual values
• Total shipment value

Electronic Export Information (EEI)

Shipping boxes to Puerto Rico valued over $2,500 requires Electronic Export Information, even though these aren't technically exports under Export Administration Regulations.

Customs Forms for UPS/FedEx

Important: While USPS treats Puerto Rico as purely domestic (no customs forms), UPS and FedEx require customs declarations even though they charge domestic rates. This is a carrier-specific requirement, not a legal customs requirement.

Puerto Rico Shipping Taxes and Fees

Understanding Puerto Rico Sales Tax

Puerto Rico shipping incurs local taxes:

• Total sales tax: 11.5%
  
  • State level: 10.5%
  • Municipal level: 1.0%
• Tax exemption numbers can be applied when applicable

Common Shipping to Puerto Rico Questions

Does Wayfair Ship to Puerto Rico?

"Does Wayfair ship to Puerto Rico?" Many major retailers do ship to Puerto Rico, but policies vary by company. Check individual retailer shipping policies.

eBay Shipping to Puerto Rico

eBay shipping to Puerto Rico depends on individual seller policies. Many sellers offer Puerto Rico shipping options.

How to Address an Envelope to Puerto Rico

How to address an envelope to Puerto Rico:

• Recipient Name
• Street Address
• City, PR ZIP Code
• UNITED STATES

Companies That Ship to Puerto Rico

Many companies that ship to Puerto Rico include major retailers, but always verify current shipping policies.

Special Shipping Services to Puerto Rico

Freight and Moving Services

• Movers to Puerto Rico available for household relocations
• Freight forwarder Miami to Puerto Rico services for large shipments
• Shipping a car from Puerto Rico to Florida (and vice versa) requires specialized auto transport

Package Forwarding Services

Some businesses use envío de paquetes a Puerto Rico (package forwarding) services for retailers that don't directly ship to PR.

Tips for Reducing Puerto Rico Shipping Costs

Choose the Right Carrier

• Can USPS ship to Puerto Rico cheapest? Usually yes, for lighter packages
• Compare rates across all carriers for your specific needs
• Consider USPS ship to Puerto Rico for cost-effective solutions

Optimize Packaging

• Use appropriate box sizes to avoid dimensional weight charges
• Consider flat rate options when beneficial
• Proper packaging reduces damage and return costs

Plan Ahead

• How much is shipping to Puerto Rico varies by timing
• Avoid expedited services when possible
• Bulk shipping can reduce per-unit costs

Getting Started with Puerto Rico Shipping

Shipping Puerto Rico packages doesn't have to be complicated. Start by:

1. Determining if your products have restrictions
2. Calculating how much to ship to Puerto Rico with different carriers
3. Preparing proper documentation
4. Choosing the most cost-effective carrier for your needs

How much is it to ship to Puerto Rico? Costs vary, but with proper planning and carrier selection, you can find affordable options to reach Puerto Rico's nearly 3 million residents.

Conclusion

Delivery to Puerto Rico represents a significant business opportunity. While "is it expensive to ship to Puerto Rico?" depends on your specific needs, understanding the requirements and comparing carriers helps you make informed decisions. Whether you choose USPS shipping to Puerto Rico, UPS, or FedEx, proper documentation and addressing ensure smooth Puerto Rico mail delivery.

Ready to start shipping? Compare rates and requirements across carriers to find the best solution for your shipping to Puerto Rico USPS and other carrier needs.

Looking for a multi-carrier shipping platform? Shippo makes shipping to Puerto Rico easy with pre-built integrations and support for USPS, FedEx, UPS, and DHL.

Last updated: September 2025