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
4 lbs.
$10.69
$4.03
$13.78
$3.56
$0.71
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
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
5 lbs.
$70.30
$66.12
$4.18
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
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.
Nervous about the U.S. leaving the Universal Postal Union in October? Wondering how you’ll make your international deliveries for the holidays?
Don’t worry, Stamps.com has international shipping options for online retailers of all sizes. Our new GlobalPost international shipping services leverages partnerships with international postal operators as well as commercial carriers to offer worldwide delivery.
These international services are not reliant on U.S. relationships with the UPU and will ensure that businesses can continue to ship internationally without disruption, while still receiving similar transit times, customs clearances and competitive rates!
Economy International
Standard International
Weight Limit per package
4.4 lbs.
Varies by country
Countries Served
Over 200
36
Package Types
Flats up to 16 oz. Packages up to 4.4 lbs.
Packages up to 66 lbs.
Transit Time
Varies
6-10 days
Tracking
Door-to-Country
Door-to-Door
Max Value of Goods
$400
$400
Free Coverage
Up to $100 against loss or damage, plus shipping costs
Up to $100 against loss or damage, plus shipping costs
Duties & Taxes
Paid by recipient
Paid by recipient
GlobalPost services reach over 200 countries and territories and includes features not found in traditional international postal services, including:
Global Address Verification: Improve deliverability with real-time address verification
No Customs Forms: Send Customs electronically – no forms to print
Ship Merchandise in Flats: Save money with international flats/large envelopes
Instant Refunds: No more tracking refund requests that can take up to 2 weeks
Free Pick-Up Service: Schedule pick-ups when it’s convenient for you (select markets only)
Parcel Coverage: $100 Included
Avoid disruptions and uncertainty in your global shipping – sign-up for GlobalPost today! Visit GoGlobalPost.com or call 1-888-899-1255
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
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:
Goods and Services Tax (GST): This is a 5% federal tax that applies to items being sold to Canadian customers for domestic consumption.
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.
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.
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