Sending water through USPS and Stamps.com

If you’re thirsty for more knowledge about shipping liquids with USPS, you’ve come to the right place. Shipping liquids requires an understanding of USPS guidelines and restrictions, including which items USPS classifies as liquids. We’ll give you all the basics of shipping and packaging liquids as well as how Stamps.com helps you in the process. 

What are liquids?

Before we get started, let’s define the type of products we’re referring to. Alcohol can’t be shipped with USPS, so we’re only referring to non-alcoholic liquids. Additionally, the following types of liquids can’t be shipped: 

On the flip side, creams and pastes are considered liquids and can be shipped through USPS. You’ll just need to follow the same guidelines as the ones listed above. Liquids, creams, and pastes with push-down tops also need to be mailed using “strong and securely sealed outer packaging.” Push-down tops can potentially open in transit, leading to the damage of other shipments and USPS equipment, so extra precautions need to be taken. 

International liquid shipping restrictions

If you plan to ship liquids internationally, there are a few restrictions to keep in mind. The following items can’t be shipped with USPS to international destinations: 

  • Nail polish 
  • Gasoline 
  • Aerosols 
  • Perfume containing alcohol 
  • Flammable or combustible paint* 

*Note: Water-based or Latex-based paints can be shipped internationally, as long as they don’t contain hazardous materials. 

Tips for shipping liquids 

Regardless of size, USPS requires packages containing liquids to be labeled on the outer packaging and to include orientation labels to show how your package should be handled. For liquids over 4 ounces, you’ll need to triple-wrap your shipment. 

To triple-package your shipment, place your product in a leak-proof container that covers the original packaging. Then, place the container in a box, like a Priority Mail Flat Rate® Box. It also doesn’t hurt to fill the gaps in-between with absorbent materials. If you’re shipping liquids in glass or breakable containers, it’s best to add extra cushioning materials within the gaps of the box and around your products.  

Shipping liquids with Stamps.com 

Your customers are eagerly waiting for their drinks, makeup, and other products. With branded shipment notification emails and branded tracking, they’ll receive up-to-date tracking information from a customized tracking page. Our recent study showed that 43% of customers want daily tracking updates, so an easily accessible tracking option will help your business stand out. 

Stamps.com merchants can also order free USPS supplies, like the aforementioned Priority Mail Flat Rate® Boxes. These supplies can be shipped directly to your home or business for no additional cost and include supplies for both Priority Mail® and Priority Mail Express® service options. To order free USPS supplies*, simply log in to your Stamps.com account and click the Buy Supplies option on your dashboard. 

*If using Stamps.com Software, click Online Store on the left side of your dashboard. 

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Baillee Perkins

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Taxes, Duties & tariffs

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.

Eric Nash

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Shipping to Mexico

Did you know that 48% of all Mexican imports come from the United States? And with an expected 84.9 million Internet users in Mexico by 2019, it couldn’t be a better time for e-commerce sellers to open their markets to online buyers south of the border.

Here are the basics on shipping your products to Mexico vis USPS.

Available USPS Mail Classes to Mexico

  • Priority Mail Express International. For date-specific delivery and a money-back guarantee, you’ll also appreciate 3- to 5-day delivery on packages up to 70 pounds.
  • Priority Mail International. With similar features to Priority Mail Express International (above), Priority Mail International delivers within 6 to 10 days.
  • First Class Package International Service. If you’re shipping small, inexpensive items to Mexico, First Class Package International Service is the economical choice for packages up to 4 pounds, with 7- to 10-day delivery.
  • Stamps.com International Flats Service. Stamps.com offers customers a special rate on shipping merchandise in Flats/Large Envelopes — up to 65% off international package rates.

Important Restrictions to Note

As with all international shipping, it’s vital to understand prohibitions and restrictions to Mexico.

Prohibited and restricted items include:

  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Electronic Cigarettes
  • Weapons
  • Furs
  • Precious Metal
  • Plants
  • Seeds
  • Tobacco

Lastly, here’s some sweet advice for U.S. shippers – as Mexico is the birthplace of chocolate, understandably the country takes that product seriously. If you sell chocolate or products made of chocolate, you must obtain prior authorization for these items from the Mexican Secretary of Commerce.

Printing International Postage for Mexico via Stamps.com

It’s simple to ship to Mexico with Stamps.com! Here’s a rundown on the benefits you receive when you take advantage of Stamps.com’s services.

  • Discounts on international shipping rates. Save up to 5%!
  • Directly fill out Customs Forms. Save time – the Stamps.com interface automatically inserts your e-commerce order data into the Customs Form.
  • Insurance savings. When you use Stamps.com, enjoy savings of up to 40% on international insurance.

The Bottom Line

Our South of the Border neighbors represent a tremendous opportunity for e-commerce sellers. With several cost-effective shipping options to Mexico, plus extra benefits to Stamps.com users, you could soon be enjoying a fiesta of new business and simple solutions.

Joaquin Ibanez

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FAQ Shipping to military bases

Care packages and letters are some of the best ways to send your loved ones a slice of home when they are deployed abroad. At Stamps.com we often receive questions from customers looking to send packages to military destination so we compiled a list of the 10 most frequently asked questions about Military Mail:

How do I format a military address?

Like a domestic address, a military address lets postal clerks know where to send your mail piece, so the address must follow a specific format. This special address must include:

  1. The full name of the addressee. Mail sent without a full name will not be delivered
  2. The unit or Post Office box number
  3. A three letter code associated with the type of location. APO is used for Army and Air Force installations. FPO is used for ships and Navy installations. DPO is associated with U.S. embassies overseas.
  4. The “state” of the addressee. Rather than an actual state or province in a foreign country, the “state” for a military address should be:
  • AA for Armed Forces Americas
  • AE for Armed Forces Europe, Armed Forces Middle East and Armed Forces Africa
  • AP for Armed Forces Pacific
  1. The 5-digit zip code for the military unit. All military zip codes will start with a 0 or 9.

Example:

CPT John Doe

Unit 45013 Box 2666

USAG J

APO AP 96338

 

What is my best option for shipping to a military base?

Due to security restrictions, the USPS is the only carrier that can deliver mail and packages to APO/FPO/DPO locations. While carriers such as FedEx and UPS offer delivery to countries where military personnel may be stationed, packages from these private carriers cannot be delivered directly to a military base.

Should I include a country in the military address?

No! One of the most common mistakes when sending military mail is including a country in the address. Typically, including a country in the address will result in a delayed or rejected mailing.

Is Military Mail considered international mail?

No. In 1959 the Department of Defense and the Post Office Department agreed that the USPS would be required to provide continual mail service to military personnel and their families worldwide. Because of this agreement military addresses (APO/FPO/DPO) are not considered international addresses by the USPS, even though they may reside in foreign countries.

How much does it cost to send a letter to APO/FPO/DPO addresses?

When sending a letter to military addresses, you are only required to provide domestic postage. The current cost to send a domestic First Class Mail letter is $0.50 at the Post Office or $0.47 for Stamps.com customers.

How is Military Mail processed?

Letters and packages addressed to military personnel are first sent to Miami, New York City or San Francisco before being shipped to their international destinations. Once the letter or package arrives in its destination country, it is handed over to a Military Postal Service representative who transports it to the Military Post Office, from where it is distributed to the service member’s unit for delivery to the recipient.

Do I need to fill out a customs form when shipping to a U.S. military base abroad?

Since the recipient country may have restrictions on what can be imported, mailpieces addressed to a military destination must include a properly completed PS Form 2976 or PS Form 2976-A.

What is the estimated delivery time for Military Mail?

Military Mail Chart

The transit time for sending mail and packages to military addresses varies by destination and mail class. See the table below for delivery time estimates:

Can I ship electronics to military destinations?

Many electronics are prohibited from being shipped to military destinations. A good rule of thumb is anything that sends a radio, satellite or phone signal is prohibited for being shipped to military bases. Prohibited items include mobile phones, cordless phones, GPS hardware and software, and FM transmitters.

How should I package shipments to Military destinations?

Be sure to package shipments securely enough to withstand up to six weeks of transit. Consider the destination of the package and extreme temperatures or conditions the packages may need to endure. If your package contains fragile contents add adequate cushion.   If any portion of the box looks like it is sagging or can be easily depressed, add packing material on the inside.

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Joaquin Ibanez

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