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International Shipping 101
International Shipping 101

Information on how to ship your swag around the world.

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Written by Andrew McMaster
Updated over 6 months ago

Swag.com offers shipping in the United States and many other countries. Shipping rates vary based on where the items are being sent, weight and size of the shipment, and the shipping method selected.

Where does Swag.com ship?

We work with several international carriers to ship to as many places as possible, and are able to send packages to most locations worldwide. However, there are some countries that we can’t ship to today.

Where doesn’t Swag.com ship?

We are not able to ship any items to the following countries:

  • Afghanistan, Antarctica, Barbados, Belarus, Bouvet Island, British Indian Ocean Territory, Bulgaria, Central African Republic, Christmas Island, Cocos (Keeling) Islands, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Heard and McDonald Islands, Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Libya, Micronesia, Midway Islands, Mongolia, Nauru, Niue, North Korea, Papua New Guinea, Pitcairn Islands, Principe, Russian Federation, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Sao Tome, Somalia, South Georgia & South Sandwich Island, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tokelau, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Wake Island, Western Sahara, Yemen

What information should I provide to ensure my international shipment arrives on time?

Please provide a valid physical address, email address and local contact number for the recipient. Incorrect or missing information can lead to delays and increase the risk of shipments becoming lost in transit or not clearing customs. Before submitting payment, we highly encourage double checking all information to ensure it is accurate. Once payment is made, the shipment request is immediately processed, we will not be able to make any adjustments to the shipping address or contact information.

Do individual countries have different shipping restrictions?

Some countries Swag.com ships to may involve longer timelines in order to clear customs. Shipping to these countries can also require extensive documentation and communication to work through processes specific to these countries.

Countries with longer shipping processes include:

  • Brazil, China, Cyprus, Egypt, India, Israel, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Uruguay

Please note this list is subject to change at any time, subject to international events, policies and other circumstances out of our control.

Do any items have shipping restrictions?

Yes, certain items are prohibited from being shipped, imported, and/or exported due to regulations and safety measures, either by country or carrier regulations.

Items that generally cannot be shipped internationally include:

  • Alcohol & liquor, tobacco, certain electronic items, food products, seeds and plants, lotions and sunscreen.

Please note this list is subject to change at any time, subject to international events, policies and other circumstances out of our control.

How are Duties and Taxes handled?

Duties and taxes are set by each individual country, and some countries have higher rates compared to others. We have no control over these rates, which are calculated at the time of shipping confirmation, and subject to change.

We strongly recommend that you familiarize yourself with the expected duties + taxes set by each country if you have a large number of international shipments to make. You will be responsible for prepaying the duties and taxes fees prior to your products being shipped based on the current rates set by the specific countries to which you are shipping.

Are there any specific import requirements for international shipping?

Every country has different rules and thresholds for importing. As a result, any shipments sent internationally may require the consignee to provide an import license and/or work with a customs broker. Unfortunately, Swag.com does not currently have the ability to provide an import license nor customs broker to help clear international shipments on your behalf. However, we will provide as much assistance and insight as possible throughout the process.

Please note a Power of Attorney may also be required in shipping to grant a customs broker the authority to process customs clearance on your behalf.

Your shipment will be coming from the United States and will be subject to Customs review and release in the destination country before final delivery to your recipient(s). Each country has different customs guidelines, procedures and timelines based on local rules and regulations. As a result, Swag.com does not have control over the clearance process or timeline.

What actions are required with UPS and Customs by you and the recipients of your shipment?

UPS will make contact with the recipient (via email or phone) to help get the package through customs. This is why having accurate contact information for the recipient is so critical. When the recipient is contacted, UPS will ask them who they’d like to use as a broker for the shipment. We recommend selecting UPS as the broker instead of a 3rd party. If you choose a 3rd party broker, you will be responsible for coordinating with the broker directly, and we will be unable to support you. Selecting a third party could also cause additional delivery delays.

In addition to UPS, Customs offices may also contact the recipient for further information/documentation in order to clear the shipment for delivery. They will also use the phone number and e-mail address that was provided at the time of the shipment submission. A prompt and accurate response will speed up the customs clearance process.

Have a question? We’re here to help! Please reach out to customer@swag.com or chat with a rep!

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