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USPS First Class Package International

What's available?

  • Drop off your parcel at a local store
  • Delivers to your home or work
  • Protection cover available

Why use

Compare, book and send parcels using discounted parcel delivery services. Save time & money with Parcel Monkey.

  • We’ll help you to find the right service
  • We’ll help you save time & money
  • We compare prices for shipping to over 240 destinations
  • We compare prices for collection & drop-off services
  • We've got over 2,900 independent reviews

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For those looking for the cheapest USPS international shipping, the USPS First Class Package International rates are ideal. Not all packages require expedited delivery, sometimes keeping costs down is far more important when shipping a gift or an item sold online to a new market. Shipping costs can be expensive, but by comparing and using economy courier services such as this you can save a few dollars to spend on more important things. 

What is USPS First Class Package International? 

First Class Package International is the cheapest USPS service to ship packages that weigh 4 lbs or less. Rather than expensive Post Office prices, you can book online, print your shipping labels and Customs Documents and then drop off at any USPS Post Office. To the majority of destinations, the package will still come with tracking so that both the sender and recipient can keep an eye on the delivery. This service is our most affordable international service for small packages via the USPS although we do offer DHL eCommerce too and this allows you to post over 4lbs and drop off at the Post Office too. 

The USPS will then post your package internationally before the local Post Office in each destination makes the final delivery. We advise considering adding protection cover to the booking when shipping overseas, plus it is essential to provide a local working contact number so that Customs or the courier can reach out to the recipient should there be any issues with the delivery. All items shipped internationally are DDU (delivered duty unpaid). Any customs fees owed will need to be paid for by the recipient. We offer further advice on Customs here. 

How long does First Class Mail take? 

USPS First Class Package International transit times will vary depending on where you are shipping to as the local Post Office in each delivery destination can vary depending on how developed they are. USPS advice to allow between 12 and 20 working days for transit times for this economy service, plus there can be delays when the package is cleared through Customs. If you want a faster USPS service, or if your package is over 64oz/4lbs, we do offer USPS Priority Mail International. USPS offers this service in destinations where the local Post Service is reliable such as in China, Canada, the UK and a large number of other locations in Europe, Asia, the Middle East and beyond. 

Not every country has a reliable postal service and Customs Department like the United States, so we recommend sharing the tracking with the recipient and providing a working contact number for the recipient. 

USPS First Class Tracking 

Full package tracking is available in over 41 countries with USPS First Class Package International. You can use the PMS number provided to you by Parcel Monkey and our own tracking tool or take a note of the USPS tracking number on your label if you wish to track it directly with the courier. We also provide the relevant Customs Documents, ready for you to print and attach to the outside of the box in a clear plastic wallet or envelope. Some countries have specific prohibitions and restrictions so you should read up on these before posting your package. ​

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Do you offer cheap international shipping services?

    The internet has made the world a lot smaller, and so to ensure our customers can reach their customers, friends and family we have created a global shipping marketplace. This means you can send packages from anywhere, to anywhere for a great price with well known and trusted couriers.

    We provide not only great prices for sending a package overseas, but we also offer full tracking, protection cover and a choice of collected and drop off services. We have express and economy services, so there is something to match every time frame and budget. We work with many big name courier brands such as FedEx, USPS and DHL. 

    We recently added DHL eCommerce as a cost-effective way to send your packages internationally for less, which is a tracked mail service for low value and non-urgent packages. 

    Any customs documents that are required are provided during the booking process as well as any relevant shipping labels to make the process as simple as possible. 

    Some seasonal shippers use us once a year to send gifts to friends or family who may live elsewhere, whilst others use us more often to reach loved ones who are studying or working elsewhere.

    Discover more about our international shipping services here.

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  • How do I complete a customs declaration form?  

    If you are new to shipping packages internationally, then completing a customs declaration form can appear to be a complex issue. However, Parcel Monkey make this process nice and easy, as we collect all the relevant customs information for your package in the booking process.

    Completing your customs declaration form 

    You must complete a customs declaration form when shipping abroad. This will include a description of the goods, the value of them and the nature of them – in other words, whether they’re a gift, personal belongings or something you’ve sold.

    The customs documents help Customs Officers:

    1. Find out what's inside the package
    2. Check if any customs duty and tax applies to your package

    During the booking process, Parcel Monkey provides a simple form, which is easy to fill out and covers all the information required, so you don’t have to worry about missing anything out. See the example form below.

     

    customs declaration form For some locations, such as India, you may need to complete a 'Know Your Customer' form.  This will be provided by customs for the recipient to complete. It checks the recipient is who they say they are and helps prevent fraud. 

    Customs declaration form tips:

    • Be descriptive of all items inside the package. Provide an overview of each individual item, including the color and quantity e.g. 1 x red t-shirt, 2 x pairs of blue socks.  
    • Provide an accurate value for each item. Customs will check if you have undervalued an item to avoid fees. They will charge the correct amount and potentially extra handling fees for miss-declared items. 
    • Print and attach the customs documents to the outside of the package in a clear plastic wallet or envelope. Don't have one of these? Use a normal envelope and mark it as 'Customs Documents'.
    • Even if you list the item as a gift, this does not necessarily mean you will avoid any customs duty. The customs officers in the recipient destination will still look at the value of the goods, what the actual contents of the parcel is and check all the other factors that can initiate customs charges.
    • Ensure all contact information is accurate so customs can contact the recipient to collect any duties owed. All Parcel Monkey shipments are shipped DDU, so it is the responsibility of the recipient to pay any duty. 

     

    Further reading:

     

     

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  • Who has to pay the customs duty and how?

    If you choose to ship your packages with Parcel Monkey they will be shipped DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) which means it is the responsibility of the recipient to pay any customs duty.

    When shipping internationally, you must provide accurate contact details for the recipient so that customs officers can take payment of any customs duty owed and release the parcel for delivery. You should provide a local landline number and an accurate email address. Failure to do this can see the package being delayed or returned to the sender.

    Customs will contact the recipient and set up the payment with them. Once paid the package can be released and put out for delivery. 

    You should always attach your customs forms to the outside of the box, so customs officers can easily check the value of the contents and work out the customs duty. 

    You can find further customs advice here. 

     

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