Cross-border parcels fail at the document stage far more often than at the transport stage. The parcel is fine; the declaration is not.
Before you pack
- Confirm the item is not restricted for import into the United States. Food, cosmetics, supplements, plants, lithium batteries and anything alcohol-related carry extra requirements.
- Know the country of origin — where the goods were manufactured, not where you are shipping from. It drives duty treatment.
- Decide who pays duties and taxes. Shipping delivered-duty-unpaid means the recipient is billed on arrival, which is the leading cause of refused parcels.
On the customs declaration
- Describe each item specifically: "cotton t-shirt, men's" rather than "clothing".
- State the honest value paid, in the correct currency, including shipping.
- Give quantities and unit values per line, not one lump sum.
- Add the harmonised system code when you have it. It reduces manual review substantially.
- Mark commercial goods as commercial. A commercial shipment labelled as a gift is a compliance problem, not a shortcut.
After it ships
Keep the commercial invoice and tracking number together, and tell the recipient a charge may arrive on delivery. A recipient who expects a bill accepts the parcel; a surprised one refuses it, and the return trip costs more than the original shipment.
De minimis thresholds and duty rules change with trade policy. Verify current rules with the destination customs authority before quoting a customer.