Follow international mailing guidelines to the letter, as incorrectly addressed packages will be returned to the sender or end up in the dead letter office. Label addresses in ink in all capital letters, and limit the address info to just five lines: name; apartment number (if applicable); street address; city and state or province with ZIP code or postal code; and country. The intended recipient's address goes in the front center of the package, while the return address goes on the upper right corner. The USPS also suggests writing both addresses on a card or piece of paper inside the package.
Shipped packages go through customs at the destination country, so senders should declare what's being shipped. When the package arrives at its destination, customs officers either X-ray or scan it. If the contents raise red flags, officials will open the package and inspect it. If they find nothing illegal within, they will reseal the package and stamp it with customs approval before it continues on its way.
The post office has two free customs forms from which to choose. Every country has different restrictions on what can be shipped; reviewing the shipping manual for the country to which you're sending the package can boost your chances of a successful experience. If customs officials find illegal items in the package, they most likely will confiscate the content and, depending on the items, you may incur a fee.
When shipping internationally, packages have to go overseas, across borders and change hands several times. To recover the value of any potentially lost or damaged item, get insurance. All-risk insurance covers damage from an external source, while name-perils insurance covers specifically named hazards. Carrier insurance provided by the package carrier typically covers acts of god, war, defective machinery and transportation, and criminal acts.
You can track the item via its tracking number on the shipping services website. If using postal mail, the tracking number will work when following an item via the USPS website. Use the tracking number on the website of the receiving country to follow an item to its destination once it's left the country.
