The items prohibited from being sent with Simple Export Rate
Here are some examples of items you can't send with Simple Export Rate:
Counterfeit goods
Hazardous materials including corrosive, explosives, or flammable goods
Knives
Illicit drugs or controlled substances
Live animals
Tobacco or nicotine products, including cigarettes and cigars
Prohibited or restricted items
Some tips for shipping with Simple Export Rate
On top of not sending any prohibited items, here are some guidelines to follow whenever you create an international shipment.
Check the USPS Individual Country Listings before shipping
Regulations Vary by Country: No matter the kind of item you're sending, every country has different regulations and laws for what they allow to be imported. One country may allow you to send your item there, while another may restrict it and never let it through customs 😅
Reference the USPS Individual Country Listings: Since every country has different regulations, we recommend checking the USPS Individual Country Listings before you buy your label
Checking your country's listing will allow you to verify whether you're able to send your item to the destination country in question.
Don't send any hazardous materials
When shipping internationally, the safest bet is to not send any hazardous materials of any kind.
Hazardous Materials Sent Overseas May Be Returned: If you attempt to use an international service to send any hazardous items, your shipment may be returned back to you or disposed of.
The majority of items containing hazardous materials items can only be sent with a domestic ground service like USPS Ground Advantage
Make your customs form as specific as possible
Details in Customs Forms: When filling out your customs form during the label creation process, it's important to be as detailed as possible with your item description and value.
For instance, if you're sending a MacBook Air, don't just enter "Laptop" in the customs field. Instead, enter "15-inch MacBook Air" 😉
When shipping books, for example, you'll need to enter the title and author of the book - not just "Books."
Lack of Detailed Customs Forms May Result in Returns: If your customs form isn't detailed enough, your destination country's customs department may return the package to you.
The more detailed you can make your customs form, the better off you'll be!
Read more about how to properly fill out customs forms here.
Purchase shipping insurance (if applicable)
One final thing to remember when sending international packages is to include additional shipping insurance.
Shipping Insurance Covers Missing or Damaged Packages: Our third-party insurance provider covers you if your shipment goes missing or arrives damaged.
Some Items Are Excluded from Coverage: Certain items are excluded from coverage per the InsureShield Terms and Conditions, which you should be aware of before you purchase insurance 🙈
How to Check for Excluded Items: You can check the list of excluded items in the Insurance field under the "Extra Services" drop-down menu when creating a label. Here's how that looks:
