Wrap your purchase as carefully as possible to avoid breakage. Write the mailing address on it (include U.S.A.), its contents, the fair retail value and whether the package is for personal use or a gift (which determines the exemption limit).
Ship the package via the nearest postal exchange. You'll pay a steep premium if you ship through Federal Express (gofedex.com) and UPS (ups.com). Insure valuable items.
Be prepared to pay a duty fee for your package when you return home. The U.S. Postal Service (USPS.gov) sends all foreign mail shipments to the U.S. Customs Service for examination.
Keep your receipts. You might need them to solve potential problems with customs. If you feel you've been charged too much duty on a package mailed from abroad, file a protest with the U.S. Customs Service.
