Does USPS / Customs check OUTGOING international packages ? (2024)

FAQs

Does USPS inspect international packages? ›

Mail entering the United States from abroad first arrives at a United States Postal Service (USPS) Sorting Facility. The Postal Service then sends packages to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for examination and to assess duties and taxes, if any is owed.

Does customs check every package? The short answer is yes. Customs checks all inbound international packages and mail. During this process, a customs officer in the country you're shipping to will review the package to make sure it meets the country's laws, regulations and policies.

However, U.S. Customs may examine outgoing packages (at least the Customs form) to double check for contraband, hazmat or items that cannot be sent by air. It's up to each receiving country to accept, reject or confiscate particular items.

The U.S. Postal Service® (USPS) handles package delivery up to customs at the destination country, at which point, the host postal service of the destination country handles package delivery to the recipient. FedEx and UPS Rates include 20% volume discount off Standard List Rates.

If the package is not classified as Priority Mail Express™ service (domestic or international), Priority Mail® service, First–Class Package Service™, or an international letter package, it may be opened and its contents examined.

Officials will review your required passenger travel documents, such as passport, visa, green card, disembarkation card (provided by flight attendant during flight), immunization documentation, letters of confirmation or support, etc.

UPS Worldwide express® Services

Send urgent international shipments with guaranteed delivery times in one to three business days, including customs clearance. UPS Worldwide Express Plus®: Guaranteed delivery by 9:00 a.m. to major business centers in over 30 countries and territories.

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Declaration is a form obtainable at most foreign post offices. This declaration form should include a full and accurate description of the merchandise, and should be securely attached to the outside of your shipment.

Once sent, a direct mail piece is scanned by the Post Office^™ facility and entered into a tracking system. Senders can then track pieces using the Informed Visibility tool, which shows when a mail piece has entered different stages in the delivery cycle.

My item is being held by U.S. customs. What happens next? Customs issues and regulations are outside the control of the United States Postal Service®. If your mailpiece is being held in Customs, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has 45 business days (excluding weekends and holidays) to process an item.

Does USPS scan outgoing international packages? ›

All inbound and outbound Global Express Mail® (EMS®) and air, surface/economy, and insured international parcel post items must be scanned or manually entered at retail acceptance and/or delivery.

Priority Mail International® service is a reliable, cost-effective way to send documents and merchandise to more than 180 countries. Priority Mail International offers outstanding value and is priced lower than our competition's published rates for international shipping. Average business day delivery of 6 to 10 days.

USPS Package Intercept is a domestic service only and is currently not available for international, APO/FPO/DPO destinations, items that require a customs declaration form, or items addressed to a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency.

With limited exceptions, all inbound international mail is subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and [redacted]. CBP inspects these mailings to ensure compliance with federal laws and related federal regulations and policies.

Shipments will typically be inspected by customs to ensure that the contents match what is being declared and the value of the goods is also declared correctly.

To initiate inquiries for undelivered or damaged articles, call the International Research Group at 800-222-1811. If an inquiry determines that a package is lost, the Postal Service will send a claim packet to the U.S. sender with instructions on how to file a claim.