USPS International Shipping Calculator

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March 24, 2023

USPS International Shipping Calculator lets you calculate the exact shipping fee for the package you wish to send. You can determine the exact shipping rate so you do not have to guess before going to the post office. 

Search for the nearest post office to your location with FindPostOffice.org. This website helps you locate all 31,330 USPS locations across the United States. 

Do you want to know how to use the USPS shipping calculator for international shipping? What are the limitations on weight and size for USPS international services? What are the different USPS international shipping services? 

This article discusses the USPS international shipping calculator and different packages’ weight and size limitations. This article also explains the different USPS international shipping services. 

USPS International Shipping Calculator

Shipping costs can vary through multiple services. So it can help if you compare different options before deciding to ship your package. 

A shipping calculator is one of the best ways to compare rates and services. USPS’s Retail Postage Price Calculator is a tool that you can use to see the shipping cost if you deliver a package through this specific courier. 

Use This Calculator From the USPS to Determine Shipping Costs 

Get an estimate of your shipping fee’s total cost by using the USPS shipping calculator. This tool can help you anticipate and plan shipping fees considering all aspects of shipping.

How to Use the USPS Shipping Calculator 

This is how to use the USPS Retail Postage Price Calculator. 

First, navigate to the USPS postage price calculator page. The site lets you calculate the rates for shipping domestically and internationally. 

There is also a specific USPS Business Price Calculator page for shipments of business mailings that are pre-sorted.

Once you are on the site, you can enter your package details or letter. There is a drop-down menu to enter the ZIP code of your parcel’s destination, the contents you will ship, and the mailing date. 

You have already input the details. Now choose how you want to ship your package to its destination. You can select the Flat Rate option for shipping mail, such as letters, large envelopes, postcards, or large packages.

You can see the retail and online postage prices and the expected delivery day of specific flat rate options like Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Box.

If you send mail, like a letter, you will have to input the weight of your letter. 

Press “Continue,” to choose the shape that is the most similar to your letter. 

Then, the expected delivery date and the retail and online postage prices will be displayed. Afterward, click “Display All Options” to compare shipping options and rates. 

You can also include add-ons to your shipments, such as insurance, registered mail, and a certificate of mailing. 

Click “Continue” to see the total cost of your letter or package shipment. 

You can now pay and print shipping labels and the required postage for the shipping cost by navigating to the USPS Click-n-Ship page

You can also use an online postage service to print shipping labels for USPS First Class Package Service, Parcel Select Ground, Media Mail, and letters.

Using the Priority Mail Calculator

The U.S. Postal Service offers 1 to 3 day shipping for delivering parcels and packages around the country. This service is called Priority Mail. 

There are several factors that can affect the rate of the service, including the shipping distance, the weight of the package, and the rate tier, which varies from Online Rate, Retail, and ShippingEasy Rate. 

The Commercial Rate is an exclusive pricing level for eCommerce sellers who send packages in high volumes. 

These merchants can use the Commercial Rate if they agree to pay the necessary fees with the United States Postal Service. 

There is a chart where you can see the Commercial Rates. You can also use the USPS shipping calculator.

To use the calculator:

  1. Enter the weight of the package you are shipping
  2. Input the ZIP Code of where the parcel is coming from and the ZIP Code of its destination
  3. Press “Calculate Rate”

The package’s weight will always round up to .5 pounds if its weight is below half a pound. Priority Mail rounds up to the nearest pound when the weight is after the first half-pound or 8 ounces. 

So, let us say the package you are sending weighs 7.5 pounds. Priority Mail will round up the weight to 8 pounds.

Adjust Shipping Prices for USPS Services

The USPS notified the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) of rate changes to the different Shipping Services implemented at the beginning of 2022.

Specifically, the rate for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express increased by approximately 3.1%. The adjustments for Shipping Services also varied by product. 

The consumer price index was the basis for the price increase adjustments. Market conditions were the primary factors for the Shipping Services adjustments. 

Include Importer Tax Registration Details for Barrier-Free Shipments

The shipping plugin of USPS lets customers add the shipper tax registration details for barrier-free shipments to different countries. 

In the shipping labels, this is where you can include the tax registration details for an easy customs process.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship Something Internationally Through USPS?

The cost of shipping a package internationally through USPS depends on certain factors. 

What Factors Determine the Shipping Costs?

Four primary factors can affect the shipping cost: the package’s destination, the original shipping point, weight, package dimensions, and expected delivery times. 

You can input the details of your package using these factors in the USPS shipping calculator to know the total rate of your shipping fee. 

The U.S. to Canada

If you want to ship a package from the U.S. to Canada, you can use USPS Priority Mail International or Express Mail International. 

The shipping rate for these services can vary depending on the primary factors, but it can cost approximately $100 to $200.

The package will arrive at the destination in five business days. Use the USPS shipping calculator to get the best shipping rates.

The U.S. to Europe

Using the USPS International service to send packages from the U.S. to Europe can amount to around $200. You can also use the shipping calculator to know the exact prices.

USPS International Services 

USPS provides a safe and secure service to deliver packages worldwide at affordable rates. The company’s international courier services are bound to deliver worldwide in over 180 countries. It also has tracking services and offers insurance for your package.

International courier services provided by USPS include Global Express Guaranteed, First-Class Package International Service, Priority Mail International, and Priority Mail Express International. 

The maximum weight of the package you can send with USPS is 70lbs and the delivery time varies from 1 to 10 business days.

Do you need to find a post office nearest to your location? Browse through 31,000+ USPS locations across the U.S. with FindPostOffice.org, which is a user-friendly post office search tool. 

Global Express Guaranteed

Choose Global Express Guaranteed (GXG) if you are sending urgent items. 

Global Express Guaranteed service can deliver your items in a few days. It includes a money-back guarantee while offering a service at an affordable rate, which starts at $67.80. 

Priority Mail Express International

You can send your package to over 180 countries at an affordable price using Priority Mail Express International. 

Rest assured that this service will be fast and reliable. You can also choose a specific service date delivery and a money-back guarantee in selected destinations. 

You can get free shipping supplies, such as flat rate envelopes when you mail items up to 4lbs. The starting rate for postage is $47.95. 

Priority Mail International

USPS offers reliability and affordability in sending packages to around 180 countries with Priority Mail International. 

Priority Mail International includes tracking and insurance. Insurance of nonnegotiable documents costs around $100, and merchandise is approximately $200. 

Using Priority Mail International flat rate envelopes and small flat rate boxes, you can send up to 4 lbs and up to 20 lbs when you use medium and large flat rate boxes. The postage starting rate is $29.60. 

First-Class Package International Service

If you are sending lightweight packages, then First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS) is a great option for you. 

This service is an affordable way to send packages with a maximum weight of 4lbs. FCPIS can also deliver goods worth up to $400. The country of destination may affect the restriction policy.  

Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International also comes with FCPIS when you deliver online to select counties, but some restrictions may apply. Starting rate is $14.85. 

First-Class Mail International

For sending letters, postcards, and large envelopes (flats), First-Class Mail International is the most economical way to deliver to about 180 countries.

The rate starts at $1.40 to send 1 oz. postcards or letters. Additionally, you can send these letters using Global Forever Stamps that never expire, even if the postage rate is adjusted.

For flats up to 15.994oz, the rate starts at $2.75, depending on the weight and destination.

Airmail M-bags

Airmail M-Bags is a budget-friendly delivery service to send a large number of printed materials to solo recipients across the globe. 

If you want to send sheet music, directories, journals, and magazines, choose Airmail M-Bags. At a post office, postage rates start at $52.80. 

Parcel Packaging Options

If you need to send documents or printed materials, you should use First-Class Mail International or Airmail M-Bags. 

First-Class Mail International is best for a large envelope of documents that weighs 1lb or below. At the same time, Airmail M-Bag is best for sending up to 66lbs, like several books.

How to Prepare a Package

You must prepare your package carefully to ensure the safety of the delivery. So, how do you prepare the package you are sending?

First, select a box that suits your needs. Get a sturdy box, like one made out of paperboard or a corrugated fiberboard box when your package weight is up to 10lbs. 

Do not forget to remove markings and labels when reusing an old box. 

Most post offices offer boxes and tubes in various sizes. Sending through Priority Mail Express or Priority Mail includes a box. Though it is not required to use these free boxes, you must use the address label that USPS produced from the post office for Priority Mail Express. 

Cushioning should also be placed inside the box and around the item. You can put shredded paper or newspaper as padding. 

To check if the cushioning is enough, close and shake the box. If you hear the package shifting, you must add more materials for padding. 

To add more assurance, you can also place an extra address label inside the box if the exterior label falls off or is damaged. 

Seal the box with clear or brown packaging, paper, or reinforced packing tape. 

Place the printed or typed delivery address on the longest side of the box. On the same side, place the return address label in the upper left corner of the box. Do not use commas and periods in writing the return and delivery address.

Put the label to the left of the delivery address. To attach the correct amount of postage, use stamps, a PC Postage system, or a postage meter. 

Place the USPS Tracking or Signature Confirmation label to the left of the address label.

Drop your package in a blue collection box if it weighs 13oz or less. If the parcel weighs more than 13oz, you have to give it to a post office employee at the retail counter. FindPostOffice.org can help you find a postal service address near you. 

Additional Information

Returns and Refunds

You are eligible for a refund if you send a package from the U.S. to another country and the services do not meet the standards.

The refund policy applies to services, such as Priority Mail Express International, GXG, or the Priority Mail Express International Money-Back Guarantee Service program.

Mailing Restrictions and Prohibitions

The USPS international shipment regulations and the destination country’s regulations will be your basis for the shipping prohibitions and restrictions. 

There are various prohibited items that you cannot send to any country from the U.S., such as airbags, cigarettes, gasoline, explosives, and alcoholic beverages.

Shipping to a Military Post Office (APO, FPO, or DPO)

You have to pay for domestic USPS shipping rates if you are sending a package to a Military Post Office. An APO, FPO, or DPO destination requires customs forms and restrictions. 

APO stands for Army Post Office, FPO stands for Fleet Post Office, and DPO stands for Diplomatic Post Office. These are USPS delivery locations that assist U.S. military personnel who are serving abroad as well as the diplomatic corps.

For Businesses

Services rates vary for services with business purposes so they can expand their network and compete in the global market. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the cheapest way to ship internationally?

The cheapest way to deliver a parcel internationally is through USPS Priority Mail International Flat Rate.

2. Is it cheaper to ship internationally with UPS or USPS? 

USPS offers cheaper international shipment rates than UPS and FedEx.

3. What is the maximum box size for USPS International?

The maximum box size varies with different USPS international package services. 

For instance, the maximum length for First-Class Package International Service is 24 inches while the combined maximum length, height, and thickness is 36 inches.

 For other international packages, the longest side of the package (length) plus the distance around the thickest part (total girth) of your package must be below 108 inches.