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8 articles
International Shipping
Customs forms, duties and taxes (DDP/DDU), HS codes and invoices for 220+ countries.
- 01How to fill out a customs formEverything Octoship asks for when you ship abroad — item descriptions, HS codes, values and contents type — and how to keep packages from getting stuck at customs.4 min readUpdated Oct 9, 2026
- 02First-Class Package International vs Priority Mail InternationalHow the two most popular USPS international services compare on price, speed, weight limits and coverage.1 min readUpdated Aug 21, 2026
- 03Who pays duties and taxes? DDP vs DDU explainedImport duties and VAT can be paid by your customer on delivery (DDU) or by you up front (DDP). How each works, how Octoship estimates the bill, and how to pick per order.3 min readUpdated Oct 26, 2026
- 04Finding the right HS code for your productsWhat Harmonized System codes are, how to look one up, and why the right code means accurate duties and faster customs clearance.2 min readUpdated Oct 22, 2026
- 05Commercial invoices: when you need one and what goes on itCourier services like UPS, FedEx and DHL Express need a commercial invoice for most goods. Octoship generates it for you — here's what's on it and how to send it.2 min readUpdated Oct 22, 2026
- 06Restricted and prohibited items abroadSome things that ship fine in the US are banned or limited in other countries. Check before you sell overseas.1 min readUpdated Apr 3, 2026
- 07Shipping to APO/FPO/DPO addresses and US territoriesMilitary and diplomatic addresses ship at domestic USPS rates but still need customs info. Here's how to address them.1 min readUpdated Jul 17, 2026
- 08Shipping to the EU, UK and CanadaIOSS numbers, UK VAT, and Canadian thresholds — the destination rules that trip up sellers most often.1 min readUpdated Sep 5, 2026
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