Estimate shipping costs for packages sent from the USA to international destinations.
Select Destination…
Canada
Mexico
United Kingdom
Europe (Mainland)
Australia / New Zealand
Japan / South Korea
China
India
South America (Brazil/Argentina)
Africa
Rest of World
Select Service…
First-Class Package International Service (Under 4 lbs)
Priority Mail International
Priority Mail Express International
Global Express Guaranteed (GXG)
Estimated Postage Cost
$0.00
Understanding USPS International Shipping Rates
Sending packages internationally via the United States Postal Service (USPS) is a popular choice for both individuals and small businesses due to its reliability and extensive global network. However, calculating the exact postage can be complex as it depends on three primary factors: Weight, Destination Country (categorized into Price Groups), and the Service Level chosen.
USPS International Service Levels Explained
Choosing the right service level is crucial for balancing cost versus speed. Here is a breakdown of the most common international options:
First-Class Package International Service (FCPIS): The most affordable option for lightweight packages. It is restricted to shipments weighing less than 4 lbs (64 oz). Delivery time varies significantly by destination but usually takes 1-4 weeks.
Priority Mail International (PMI): A reliable option for packages up to 70 lbs. It generally includes tracking and some insurance. Delivery typically takes 6-10 business days.
Priority Mail Express International (PMEI): A faster service offering delivery in 3-5 business days to major markets, with a money-back guarantee to certain destinations.
Global Express Guaranteed (GXG): The fastest USPS offering, provided in partnership with FedEx, delivering in 1-3 business days.
How Weight and Zones Affect Pricing
USPS divides the world into different "Price Groups" or zones. For example, shipping to Canada (Price Group 1) is significantly cheaper than shipping to Australia or the Middle East. Furthermore, USPS rates are highly sensitive to weight:
For First-Class International, prices increase in small increments (ounces) up to the 4 lb limit. For Priority Mail, rates are generally calculated per pound. It is always cost-effective to weigh your package accurately—rounding up to the nearest pound is standard practice for Priority Mail calculations.
Customs and Duties
When using this calculator, remember that the estimated cost covers postage only. It does not include customs duties, taxes, or VAT that the destination country may charge the recipient. All international packages (except simple documents) require a customs form (CN22 or CN23) detailing the contents and value of the shipment.
function calculateUSPSRate() {
var countrySelect = document.getElementById('destinationCountry');
var country = countrySelect.value;
var lbsInput = document.getElementById('weightLbs').value;
var ozInput = document.getElementById('weightOz').value;
var serviceSelect = document.getElementById('serviceType');
var service = serviceSelect.value;
var resultDisplay = document.getElementById('resultDisplay');
var errorDisplay = document.getElementById('errorDisplay');
var priceOutput = document.getElementById('priceOutput');
var detailsOutput = document.getElementById('detailsOutput');
// Reset display
resultDisplay.style.display = 'none';
errorDisplay.style.display = 'none';
errorDisplay.innerHTML = ";
// Parse Inputs
var lbs = parseFloat(lbsInput);
var oz = parseFloat(ozInput);
if (isNaN(lbs)) lbs = 0;
if (isNaN(oz)) oz = 0;
if (country === 'none') {
errorDisplay.innerHTML = 'Please select a destination country.';
errorDisplay.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
if (service === 'none') {
errorDisplay.innerHTML = 'Please select a mail service class.';
errorDisplay.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
var totalWeightLbs = lbs + (oz / 16);
if (totalWeightLbs = 4) {
errorDisplay.innerHTML = 'First-Class Package International cannot exceed 4 lbs (64 oz). Please select Priority Mail.';
errorDisplay.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
// Logic Check: General Max Weight (Simplified)
if (totalWeightLbs > 70) {
errorDisplay.innerHTML = 'USPS International packages generally cannot exceed 70 lbs.';
errorDisplay.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
// — CALCULATION LOGIC —
// These are ESTIMATES based on Retail Prices to simulate the logic.
// Zone Multipliers (Base: Canada is cheapest)
var zoneMultiplier = 1.0;
switch (country) {
case 'CA': zoneMultiplier = 1.0; break; // Zone 1
case 'MX': zoneMultiplier = 1.15; break; // Zone 2
case 'GB': zoneMultiplier = 1.25; break; // Zone Europe
case 'EU': zoneMultiplier = 1.30; break;
case 'CN': zoneMultiplier = 1.35; break;
case 'JP': zoneMultiplier = 1.40; break;
case 'AU': zoneMultiplier = 1.45; break;
case 'BR': zoneMultiplier = 1.40; break;
case 'IN': zoneMultiplier = 1.35; break;
case 'ZA': zoneMultiplier = 1.50; break;
case 'ROW': zoneMultiplier = 1.55; break;
}
var estimatedCost = 0;
var baseRate = 0;
var weightRate = 0;
if (service === 'FCPI') {
// First Class Logic: Base starts around $15, scales rapidly with oz
// Roughly $15 base + $0.80 per oz approx for international retail
// Zone multiplier affects it heavily
var totalOz = (lbs * 16) + oz;
baseRate = 14.00;
weightRate = totalOz * 0.65; // approx cost per oz
estimatedCost = (baseRate + weightRate) * zoneMultiplier;
// Cap minimum at around $15 for zone 1
if (estimatedCost 1 ? totalWeightLbs – 1 : 0;
weightRate = extraLbs * 6.50;
estimatedCost = (baseRate + weightRate) * zoneMultiplier;
}
else if (service === 'PMEI') {
// Priority Mail Express International
// Base starts around $70
baseRate = 68.00;
var extraLbs = totalWeightLbs > 1 ? totalWeightLbs – 1 : 0;
weightRate = extraLbs * 8.50;
estimatedCost = (baseRate + weightRate) * zoneMultiplier;
}
else if (service === 'GXG') {
// Global Express Guaranteed
// Very expensive base
baseRate = 95.00;
var extraLbs = totalWeightLbs > 1 ? totalWeightLbs – 1 : 0;
weightRate = extraLbs * 12.00;
estimatedCost = (baseRate + weightRate) * zoneMultiplier;
}
// Formatting
var finalCost = estimatedCost.toFixed(2);
var roundedWeight = totalWeightLbs.toFixed(2);
priceOutput.innerHTML = '$' + finalCost;
detailsOutput.innerHTML = 'Details: Shipping to ' + countrySelect.options[countrySelect.selectedIndex].text +
'Total Weight: ' + roundedWeight + ' lbs' +
'Service: ' + serviceSelect.options[serviceSelect.selectedIndex].text +
'*Prices are estimates based on retail rates. Actual costs may vary at the counter.';
resultDisplay.style.display = 'block';
}