Shipping to Antarctica: Why You Can't Mail a Package from Houston

Shipping to Antarctica: Why You Can't Mail a Package from Houston

Antarctica has no permanent population, postal service, or commercial delivery network. It is governed by the Antarctic Treaty System for scientific research only.

How Supplies Actually Arrive

• National Antarctic programs (USAP, BAS, etc.) coordinate logistics via military/contract flights and ships.
• Cargo moves through gateway cities (Christchurch, Punta Arenas, Cape Town, Hobart).
• Personal packages are not accepted; only program-approved shipments.

For researchers: work through your program's logistics chain. For others: no service exists.