Beginning January 1, 2020, all shipments to Brazil must include the recipient’s Tax ID number on both the customs declarations and shipping labels. Brazil is implementing this new requirement to help ensure taxes are collected from resellers who purchase U.S. goods and resell them within Brazil at a profit. If you are selling to customers in Brazil it is essential that you collect their Tax ID at the time of sell—shipments missing the recipient’s Tax ID will be subject to return, or even disposal, by Brazilian Customs.

Shipping and Customs Requirements

Regardless of mail class, the recipient’s Tax ID must be visible on the shipping label and declared within the appropriate customs form. There are several Tax IDs that can be used when shipping to Brazil, including:

• CPF – Individual Tax ID (format: 000.000.000-00)
• CNPJ – Business Tax ID (format: 00.000.000/0000-00)
• Passport Number

Shipping to Brazil with Stamps.com Online

If you are a Stamps.com customer, adding a Tax ID to your Brazilian shipment is simple. Typically when shipping to an individual in Brazil, the company field is left blank:

You can use this field to enter your recipient’s Tax ID. We recommend using the prefix “CPF-” to indicate that you are using an Individual Tax ID.

If you are shipping to a business, enter the customer’s Business Tax ID, followed by a slash and their business name.

Shipping to Brazil with Stamps.com Windows Software

If you use the Stamps.com Windows software the process of adding a Tax ID to your shipment is just as easy. Within the International Tab of the software simply include the recipient’s Tax ID in the Delivery Address field under the recipient’s name.

For Individual Tax IDs use the format “CPF-” followed by the ID number:

For Businesses enter the customer’s Business Tax ID, followed by a slash and their business name:

The USPS has proposed new postage rates to be implemented on Sunday, January 26, 2020, subject to approval by the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC). In our earlier analysis, we showcased the 2020 postage rate increase for domestic letters and packages. This analysis highlights the 2019 USPS rate increase for INTERNATIONAL shipping services.

First Class Package International Service - 2020 Rates

INCREASE PER PACKAGE - 2020 Rates vs. 2019 Rates

Countries Including:	Canada	Mexico	Australia, Japan, China	Russia, Turkey, Czech	UK, Germany, France
Country Group	1	2	3	4	5
1 lb.	$3.32	$0.23	$4.03	$1.43	$0.48
2 lbs.	$3.32	$0.23	$4.03	$1.43	$0.48
3 lbs.	$5.46	$0.24	$7.60	$3.57	$1.42
4 lbs.	$10.69	$4.03	$13.78	$3.56	$0.71

INCREASE PER PACKAGE - 2020 Rates vs. 2019 Rates

Countries Including:	India, Taiwan, Singapore	South Africa, Tanzania	Egypt, Qatar	Brazil, Peru, Argentina
Country Group	6	7	8	9
1 lb.	$0.95	$2.14	$2.62	$0.95
2 lbs.	$0.95	$2.14	$2.62	$0.95
3 lbs.	$1.67	$3.33	$5.47	$1.90
4 lbs.	$0.24	$3.56	$7.60	$0.71

First-Class Package International Service™ – The overall increase for First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS) prices will be 9.9%.

• Delivery to Canada (Country Group 1) is seeing a large rate increase.  A FCPIS 1 lb. package to Canada is increasing by $3.32 to $19.71 from $16.39 in 2019. A FCPIS 3 lb. package to Canada is increasing by $5.46 to $30.40 from $24.94 in 2019.
• Delivery to Australia/Asia (Country Group 3) will also see a large rate increase. A 1 lb. package to Australia/Asia is increasing by $4.03 to 26.36 from 22.33 in 2019. A 3 lb. package to Australia/Asia is increasing by $7.60, to $40.85 from $33.25 in 2019.

Priority Mail International CANADA - 2020 Rates

INCREASE PER PACKAGE - 2020 Rates vs. 2019 Rates

Weight Not Over (lbs.)	2020	2019	Increase
1 lb.	$34.53	$32.59	$1.94
2 lbs.	$37.34	$35.20	$2.14
3 lbs.	$40.09	$37.81	$2.28
4 lbs.	$42.85	$40.42	$2.43
5 lbs.	$45.60	$43.04	$2.56

Priority Mail International UK - 2020 Rates

INCREASE PER PACKAGE - 2020 Rates vs. 2019 Rates

Weight Not Over (lbs.)	2020	2019	Increase
1 lb.	$53.34	$49.97	$3.37
2 lbs.	$58.09	$54.39	$3.70
3 lbs.	$62.80	$58.81	$3.99
4 lbs.	$67.55	$63.22	$4.33
5 lbs.	$72.30	$67.64	$4.66

Priority Mail International AUSTRALIA - 2020 Rates

INCREASE PER PACKAGE - 2020 Rates vs. 2019 Rates

Weight Not Over (lbs.)	2020	2019	Increase
1 lb.	$51.40	$48.07	$3.33
2 lbs.	$56.15	$52.58	$3.57
3 lbs.	$60.85	$57.10	$3.75
4 lbs.	$65.60	$61.61	$3.99
5 lbs.	$70.30	$66.12	$4.18

• Priority Mail International rates will be increasing by an average of 6.0% in 2019.
• The average increase of a Priority Mail International 1 lb. package will be $2.85.
• Priority Mail International packages to Canada are seeing an increase of 5.6% for a 1 lb. package, to $35.53 from $33.54 (Zone 1.3) in 2019.
• Priority Mail International packages to the UK are seeing a 6.3% increase for 1 lb. package, to $53.34 from $49.97 in 2019.   
• Priority Mail International packages to Australia are seeing a 6.5% increase for a 1 lb. package, to $51.40 from $48.07 in 2019.

Priority Mail Express International CANADA

INCREASE PER PACKAGE - 2020 Rates vs. 2019 Rates

Weight Not Over (lbs.)	2020	2019	Increase
1 lb.	$46.82	$45.90	$0.92
2 lbs.	$51.81	$50.78	$1.03
3 lbs.	$56.80	$55.67	$1.13
4 lbs.	$61.79	$60.57	$1.22
5 lbs.	$66.78	$65.46	$1.32

Priority Mail Express International UK

INCREASE PER PACKAGE - 2020 Rates vs. 2019 Rates

Weight Not Over (lbs.)	2020	2019	Increase
1 lb.	$65.31	$64.07	$1.24
2 lbs.	$69.68	$68.37	$1.31
3 lbs.	$74.06	$72.66	$1.40
4 lbs.	$78.45	$76.97	$1.48
5 lbs.	$82.83	$81.27	$1.56

Priority Mail Express International AUSTRALIA

INCREASE PER PACKAGE - 2020 Rates vs. 2019 Rates

Weight Not Over (lbs.)	2020	2019	Increase
1 lb.	$68.83	$67.53	$1.30
2 lbs.	$75.12	$73.70	$1.42
3 lbs.	$81.42	$79.88	$1.54
4 lbs.	$87.72	$86.06	$1.66
5 lbs.	$94.00	$92.23	$1.77

• Priority Mail Express International rates will be increasing by an average of 2.0% in 2019
• The average increase of a Priority Mail Express International 1 lb. package is increasing by $2.48.
• Priority Mail International packages to Canada are seeing an increase of 2.0% for a 1 lb. package, to $46.82 from $45.90 in 2019.
• Priority Mail International packages to the UK are seeing an increase of 1.9% for a 1 lb. package, to $65.31 from $64.07 in 2019.
• Priority Mail International packages to Australia are seeing an increase of 1.9% for a 1 lb. package, to $68.83 from $67.53 in 2019.

Seasoned e-commerce shippers are typically familiar with USPS restrictions for domestic items, but many are unaware of the additional restrictions for international items. Every country has restrictions as to what goods are allowed into their borders. Often times these restrictions are based on cultural or religious beliefs for the local community.  Other times, the restrictions are enacted to protect local industry. In this article, we will look at USPS international shipping restrictions on common goods, as well as some odd prohibitions you might not have thought of.

Common Prohibited International Items  

• Aerosols
• Air Bags
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Ammunition
• Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco*
• Dry Ice (even for refrigeration)
• Flammable Paint
• Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
• Gasoline
• Nail Polish
• Perfumes containing alcohol
• Poison

*Cigars may be shipped internationally unless prohibited by the destination country

Odd Prohibited Items from Select Countries
Canada	Wine, pens valued over $5
China	Used clothing
Germany	Playing cards
Ireland	Straw hats
Italy	Clocks, shoes, non-wood toys
Mexico	Jewelry
Norway	Pharmaceutical products of any kind
Peru	Used Tires
Turkey	Cosmetic products

Shipping Internationally with Stamps.com

Stamps.com makes international shipping easy. In addition to automated customs forms and discounts to all international mail classes, Stamps.com simplifies shipping restrictions with real-time restrictions on the “International” tab for all countries the USPS delivers to.

If you ship merchandise to international addresses and your product is thin (between 1/4″ and 3/4″ thick), then you should be taking advantage of Stamps.com’s Global Advantage Program!   The program utilizes the USPS delivery network and allows online retailers to ship merchandise to an international address using a Large Envelope (Flat) mailpiece.

How Does it Work?

With the Global Advantage Program, mailpieces will travel to a Postal Processing Facility in the U.S. first where Customs Forms will be applied along with a new label containing the international destination address. Then mailpieces are consolidated by country and sent on to their international destination.

Benefits of Global Advantage Program:

• Ship merchandise in the cost efficient Large Envelope (Flat) mailpiece to international destinations
• Incredible cost savings – save up to 49% compared to First Class Package International Service
• Customs Forms will be sent electronically – no more forms to print
• Get better visibility with more tracking events

Save Up to 49% Compared to First Class Package International Service

This new International Large Envelope (Flat) service can provide huge cost savings compared to First Class Package International Service.  Savings can be over $8.00 per Large Envelope (Flat), depending on weight and country destination!

	First Class Package International Service	Stamps.com International Flats
Weight	Zone 1 Canada	Zone 1 Canada	Savings with Stamps.com International Flats
1	$9.98	$6.99	$2.99
2	$9.98	$7.20	$2.78
3	$9.98	$7.41	$2.57
4	$9.98	$7.61	$2.37
5	$9.98	$7.82	$2.16
6	$9.98	$8.03	$1.95
7	$9.98	$8.24	$1.74
8	$9.98	$8.45	$1.53
12	$16.39	$9.49	$6.90
16 – 1 lb.	$16.39	$10.53	$5.86
20	$16.39	$11.57	$4.82
24	$16.39	$12.61	$3.78
28	$16.39	$13.65	$2.74
32 – 2 lb.	$16.39	$14.69	$1.70
36	$24.94	$15.73	$9.21
40	$24.94	$16.78	$8.16
44	$24.94	$17.82	$7.12
48 – 3 lb.	$24.94	$18.86	$6.08
52	$37.05	$19.90	$17.15
56	$37.05	$20.94	$16.11
60	$37.05	$21.98	$15.07
64 – 4 lb.	$37.05	$23.02	$14.03
Rates as of January 27, 2019

	First Class Package International Service	Stamps.com International Flats
Weight (oz)	Zone 2 Mexico	Zone 2 Mexico	Savings with Stamps.com International Flats
1	$11.64	$6.99	$4.65
2	$11.64	$7.67	$3.97
3	$11.64	$8.34	$3.30
4	$11.64	$9.02	$2.62
5	$11.64	$9.70	$1.94
6	$11.64	$10.37	$1.27
7	$11.64	$11.05	$0.59
8	$11.64	$11.73	-$0.09
12	$20.43	$13.18	$7.25
16 – 1 lb.	$20.43	$14.64	$5.79
20	$20.43	$16.10	$4.33
24	$20.43	$17.56	$2.87
28	$20.43	$19.01	$1.42
32 – 2 lb.	$20.43	$20.47	-$0.04
36	$31.35	$21.93	$9.42
40	$31.35	$23.39	$7.96
44	$31.35	$24.84	$6.51
48 – 3 lb.	$31.35	$26.30	$5.05
52	$45.13	$27.76	$17.37
56	$45.13	$29.22	$15.91
60	$45.13	$30.67	$14.46
64 – 4 lb.	$45.13	$32.13	$13.00
Rates as of January 27, 2019

	First Class Package International Service	Stamps.com International Flats
Weight (oz)	Zone 3 Australia/Asia	Zone 3 Australia/Asia	Savings with Stamps.com International Flats
1	$13.54	$6.99	$6.55
2	$13.54	$7.93	$5.61
3	$13.54	$8.86	$4.68
4	$13.54	$9.80	$3.74
5	$13.54	$10.74	$2.80
6	$13.54	$11.67	$1.87
7	$13.54	$12.61	$0.93
8	$13.54	$13.55	-$0.01
12	$22.33	$15.42	$6.91
16 – 1 lb.	$22.33	$17.30	$5.03
20	$22.33	$19.17	$3.16
24	$22.33	$21.04	$1.29
28	$22.33	$22.92	-$0.59
32 – 2 lb.	$22.33	$24.79	-$2.46
36	$33.25	$26.67	$6.58
40	$33.25	$28.54	$4.71
44	$33.25	$30.41	$2.84
48 – 3 lb.	$33.25	$32.29	$0.96
52	$50.11	$34.16	$15.95
56	$50.11	$36.03	$14.08
60	$50.11	$37.91	$12.20
64 – 4 lb.	$50.11	$39.78	$10.33
Rates as of January 27, 2019

	First Class Package International Service	Stamps.com International Flats
Weight (oz)	Zone 4 Russia/Eastern Europe	Zone 4 Russia/Eastern Europe	Savings with Stamps.com International Flats
1	$13.54	$6.99	$6.55
2	$13.54	$7.93	$5.61
3	$13.54	$8.86	$4.68
4	$13.54	$9.80	$3.74
5	$13.54	$10.74	$2.80
6	$13.54	$11.67	$1.87
7	$13.54	$12.61	$0.93
8	$13.54	$13.55	-$0.01
12	$22.80	$15.42	$7.38
16 – 1 lb.	$22.80	$17.30	$5.50
20	$22.80	$19.17	$3.63
24	$22.80	$21.04	$1.76
28	$22.80	$22.92	-$0.12
32 – 2 lb.	$22.80	$24.79	-$1.99
36	$34.91	$26.67	$8.24
40	$34.91	$28.54	$6.37
44	$34.91	$30.41	$4.50
48 – 3 lb.	$34.91	$32.29	$2.62
52	$56.53	$34.16	$22.37
56	$56.53	$36.03	$20.50
60	$56.53	$37.91	$18.62
64 – 4 lb.	$56.53	$39.78	$16.75
Rates as of January 27, 2019

	First Class Package International Service	Stamps.com International Flats
Weight (oz)	Zone 5 – UK/Western Europe	Zone 5 – UK/Western Europe	Savings with Stamps.com International Flats
1	$13.54	$6.99	$6.55
2	$13.54	$7.93	$5.61
3	$13.54	$8.86	$4.68
4	$13.54	$9.80	$3.74
5	$13.54	$10.74	$2.80
6	$13.54	$11.67	$1.87
7	$13.54	$12.61	$0.93
8	$13.54	$13.55	-$0.01
12	$22.80	$15.42	$7.38
16 – 1 lb.	$22.80	$17.30	$5.50
20	$22.80	$19.17	$3.63
24	$22.80	$21.04	$1.76
28	$22.80	$22.92	-$0.12
32 – 2 lb.	$22.80	$24.79	-$1.99
36	$35.63	$26.67	$8.96
40	$35.63	$28.54	$7.09
44	$35.63	$30.41	$5.22
48 – 3 lb.	$35.63	$32.29	$3.34
52	$57.95	$34.16	$23.79
56	$57.95	$36.03	$21.92
60	$57.95	$37.91	$20.04
64 – 4 lb.	$57.95	$39.78	$18.17
Rates as of January 27, 2019

	First Class Package International Service	Stamps.com International Flats
Weight (oz)	Zone 6 Southeast Asia/India	Zone 6 Southeast Asia/India	Savings with Stamps.com International Flats
1	$13.78	$6.99	$6.79
2	$13.78	$7.88	$5.90
3	$13.78	$8.76	$5.02
4	$13.78	$9.64	$4.14
5	$13.78	$10.53	$3.25
6	$13.78	$11.41	$2.37
7	$13.78	$12.30	$1.48
8	$13.78	$13.18	$0.60
12	$23.28	$15.01	$8.27
16 – 1 lb.	$23.28	$16.83	$6.45
20	$23.28	$18.65	$5.64
24	$23.28	$20.47	$2.81
28	$23.28	$22.29	$0.99
32 – 2 lb.	$23.28	$24.11	-$0.83
36	$36.81	$25.94	$10.87
40	$36.81	$27.76	$9.05
44	$36.81	$29.58	$7.23
48 – 3 lb.	$36.81	$31.40	$5.41
52	$59.85	$33.22	$26.63
56	$59.85	$35.05	$24.80
60	$59.85	$36.87	$22.98
64 – 4 lb.	$59.85	$38.69	$21.16
Rates as of January 27, 2019

	First Class Package International Service	Stamps.com International Flats
Weight (oz)	Zone 7 Africa	Zone 7 Africa	Savings with Stamps.com International Flats
1	$13.06	$6.99	$6.07
2	$13.06	$7.88	$5.18
3	$13.06	$8.76	$4.30
4	$13.06	$9.64	$3.42
5	$13.06	$10.53	$2.53
6	$13.06	$11.41	$1.65
7	$13.06	$12.30	$0.76
8	$13.06	$13.18	-$0.12
12	$22.09	$15.01	$7.08
16 – 1 lb.	$22.09	$16.83	$5.26
20	$22.09	$18.65	$3.44
24	$22.09	$20.47	$1.62
28	$22.09	$22.29	-$0.20
32 – 2 lb.	$22.09	$24.11	-$2.02
36	$35.15	$25.94	$9.12
40	$35.15	$27.76	$7.39
44	$35.15	$29.58	$5.57
48 – 3 lb.	$35.15	$31.40	$3.75
52	$56.53	$33.22	$23.31
56	$56.53	$35.05	$21.48
60	$56.53	$36.87	$19.66
64 – 4 lb.	$56.53	$38.69	$17.84
Rates as of January 27, 2019

	First Class Package International Service	Stamps.com International Flats
Weight (oz)	Zone 8 Middle East	Zone 8 Middle East	Savings with Stamps.com International Flats
1	$12.83	$6.99	$5.84
2	$12.83	$7.88	$4.95
3	$12.83	$8.76	$4.07
4	$12.83	$9.64	$3.19
5	$12.83	$10.53	$2.30
6	$12.83	$11.41	$1.42
7	$12.83	$12.30	$0.53
8	$12.83	$13.18	-$0.35
12	$21.61	$15.01	$6.60
16 – 1 lb.	$21.61	$16.83	$4.78
20	$21.61	$18.65	$2.96
24	$21.61	$20.47	$1.14
28	$21.61	$22.29	-$0.68
32 – 2 lb.	$21.61	$24.11	-$2.50
36	$33.01	$25.94	$7.07
40	$33.01	$27.76	$5.25
44	$33.01	$29.58	$3.43
48 – 3 lb.	$33.01	$31.40	$1.61
52	$52.49	$33.22	$19.27
56	$52.49	$35.05	$17.44
60	$52.49	$36.87	$15.62
64 – 4 lb.	$52.49	$38.69	$13.80
Rates as of January 27, 2019

	First Class Package International Service	Stamps.com International Flats
Weight (oz)	Zone 9 South America/ Caribbean	Zone 9 South America/ Caribbean	Savings with Stamps.com International Flats
1	$13.78	$6.99	$6.79
2	$13.78	$7.88	$5.90
3	$13.78	$8.76	$5.02
4	$13.78	$9.64	$4.14
5	$13.78	$10.53	$3.25
6	$13.78	$11.41	$2.37
7	$13.78	$12.30	$1.48
8	$13.78	$13.18	$0.60
12	$23.28	$15.01	$8.27
16 – 1 lb.	$23.28	$16.83	$6.45
20	$23.28	$18.65	$4.63
24	$23.28	$20.47	$2.81
28	$23.28	$22.29	$0.99
32 – 2 lb.	$23.28	$24.11	-$0.83
36	$36.58	$25.94	$10.64
40	$36.58	$27.76	$8.82
44	$36.58	$29.58	$7.00
48 – 3 lb.	$36.58	$31.40	$5.18
52	$59.38	$33.22	$26.16
56	$59.38	$35.05	$24.33
60	$59.38	$36.87	$22.51
64 – 4 lb.	$59.38	$38.69	$20.69
Rates as of January 27, 2019

Stamps.com customers can access the service by selecting “First-Class Mail International Large Envelope/Flats” as the mail service inside the platform on a global delivery address.

Selling internationally doesn’t come without its challenges. Like any other country, Canada has duties, taxes and tariffs you will need to be aware of. If you haven’t gone through the process to become a Non-Resident Importer your Canadian buyer is responsible for duties, taxes, and tariffs that are imposed on imported goods.  It is important you communicate these additional fees to your customers at checkout so as to avoid unpleasant surprises at the time of package delivery.

 

Duties and Taxes

There are 3 kinds of duties and taxes for items being imported into Canada:

1. Goods and Services Tax (GST): This is a 5% federal tax that applies to items being sold to Canadian customers for domestic consumption.
2. Harmonized Tax (HST): A handful of Canadian provinces have opted to harmonize their provincial sales tax with the general sales tax and the total rate is known as Harmonized Tax.
3. Provincial Sales Tax (PST): Provinces that do not participate in the HST collection process impose their own taxes at the local level. The tax rate varies by province and can range from 5% to 9.75%.

Tariffs

Along with duties and taxes, your Canadian customer may also need to pay tariffs. Tariffs depend on the country of manufacture, not the country from where the product is purchased.  NAFTA eliminates tariffs on all goods that are manufactured in the U.S. and shipped to Canada.  However, if your product includes components that were manufactured outside the U.S., then your Canadian customer will need to pay tariffs on those components.

Shipping to Canada

Over one-third of Canadian e-commerce sales are currently coming from U.S.-based websites. That’s nearly $50 billion dollars flowing in from north of the border. With annual growth predicted at over 12% for the next three years, now is the time to open your business to eager Canadian buyers. If you are looking to sell in Canada be sure to check out the Stamps.com Guide: How to Ship to Canada.