— Select Country —
Canada
Mexico
United Kingdom
Germany
France
Australia
Japan
China
India
Brazil
My Own Packaging (Variable Weight)
Flat Rate Envelope (Max 4 lbs)
Small Flat Rate Box (Max 4 lbs)
Medium Flat Rate Box (Max 20 lbs)
Large Flat Rate Box (Max 20 lbs)
Max weight usually 66-70 lbs for own packaging.
Estimated Postage Cost
$0.00
*Rates are retail estimates based on 2024 pricing zones. Actual cost may vary at the counter.
Understanding USPS Priority Mail International
USPS Priority Mail International is a reliable and cost-effective way to send packages and letters to over 190 countries worldwide. It offers a balance between speed and price, typically delivering within 6 to 10 business days depending on the destination. This service includes tracking and insurance for merchandise (up to $200 for merchandise and $100 for documents) to most major destinations.
How Rates Are Calculated
Shipping costs for Priority Mail International are primarily determined by three factors: the destination country (Price Group), the weight of the package, and the type of packaging used.
Price Groups: The USPS categorizes countries into different price groups. For example, shipping to Canada (Price Group 1) is generally cheaper than shipping to Australia or Japan (Price Groups 3-8 depending on zone).
Weight: For "My Own Packaging," rates increase with every pound. USPS rounds up to the next pound, so a package weighing 1 lb 1 oz is charged at the 2 lb rate.
Flat Rate Options: USPS offers Flat Rate Envelopes and Boxes. If your item fits in the box and weighs under the limit (4 lbs for envelopes/small boxes, 20 lbs for medium/large boxes), you pay a fixed price regardless of the destination group's weight chart, though the flat rate price itself varies by country group.
Weight and Size Restrictions
For standard Priority Mail International parcels (using your own box), the maximum weight limit is typically 66 or 70 lbs, depending on the country. The combined length and girth (length + 2x width + 2x height) must not exceed 108 inches. If your package exceeds these limits, you may need to use Global Express Guaranteed or a freight service.
Using This Calculator
This tool estimates postage based on standard retail rates. Simply select your destination country and package type. If you are using your own box, enter the weight in pounds and ounces. The calculator will determine the applicable price group and provide an estimated shipping cost. Note that online commercial base pricing (via services like Stamps.com or Pirate Ship) may offer discounts compared to these retail counter rates.
function toggleWeightInputs() {
var type = document.getElementById('packageType').value;
var weightDiv = document.getElementById('weightContainer');
// While flat rate has limits, pricing is fixed, so weight input is less critical for price calculation
// but technically still needed to ensure it's under the limit.
// For user experience, we keep it visible to validte max weight limits.
if (type === 'custom') {
weightDiv.style.opacity = "1";
} else {
weightDiv.style.opacity = "0.7";
}
}
function calculatePostage() {
var country = document.getElementById('destCountry').value;
var type = document.getElementById('packageType').value;
var lbs = parseFloat(document.getElementById('weightLbs').value) || 0;
var oz = parseFloat(document.getElementById('weightOz').value) || 0;
var errorDiv = document.getElementById('errorMsg');
var resultDiv = document.getElementById('shippingResult');
var priceDisplay = document.getElementById('resultPrice');
var descDisplay = document.getElementById('resultDesc');
errorDiv.style.display = 'none';
resultDiv.style.display = 'none';
// Basic Validation
if (country === "") {
errorDiv.innerText = "Please select a destination country.";
errorDiv.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
var totalWeightLbs = lbs + (oz / 16);
// Weight Limits Validation
if (type === 'flat_env' || type === 'flat_small') {
if (totalWeightLbs > 4) {
errorDiv.innerText = "Flat Rate Envelopes and Small Boxes have a maximum weight limit of 4 lbs.";
errorDiv.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
} else if (type === 'flat_med' || type === 'flat_large') {
if (totalWeightLbs > 20) {
errorDiv.innerText = "Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes have a maximum weight limit of 20 lbs.";
errorDiv.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
} else {
// Custom packaging
if (totalWeightLbs 70) {
errorDiv.innerText = "Maximum weight for Priority Mail International is typically 70 lbs.";
errorDiv.style.display = 'block';
return;
}
}
// Pricing Logic (Estimates based on Retail Rates 2024 Zones)
// Group 1: Canada
// Group 2: Mexico
// Group A: UK, Germany, France (Europe)
// Group B: Australia, Japan, China (Pacific/Asia)
// Group C: South America (Brazil) / Rest
var zone = "";
if (country === 'CA') zone = "1"; // Canada
else if (country === 'MX') zone = "2"; // Mexico
else if (['GB', 'DE', 'FR'].indexOf(country) > -1) zone = "3"; // Europe
else if (['AU', 'JP', 'CN', 'IN'].indexOf(country) > -1) zone = "4"; // Pacific/Asia
else zone = "5"; // Rest (Brazil etc)
var cost = 0;
// Rate Tables (Simplified Estimate)
var rates = {
"1": { // Canada
flat_env: 30.35,
flat_small: 32.20,
flat_med: 61.65,
flat_large: 75.80,
base: 43.00, // 1 lb
increment: 2.85 // per extra lb
},
"2": { // Mexico
flat_env: 33.00,
flat_small: 34.15,
flat_med: 70.00,
flat_large: 85.50,
base: 49.00,
increment: 4.15
},
"3": { // Europe
flat_env: 44.00,
flat_small: 45.15,
flat_med: 90.60,
flat_large: 110.40,
base: 62.00,
increment: 5.80
},
"4": { // Pacific
flat_env: 46.00,
flat_small: 47.50,
flat_med: 100.25,
flat_large: 120.50,
base: 72.00,
increment: 8.50
},
"5": { // South America / Rest
flat_env: 45.00,
flat_small: 46.00,
flat_med: 95.00,
flat_large: 112.00,
base: 65.00,
increment: 7.50
}
};
var currentRate = rates[zone];
if (type !== 'custom') {
cost = currentRate[type];
} else {
// Custom Weight Calculation
// USPS rounds up to next pound. 1.1 lbs = 2 lbs rate.
var weightCeil = Math.ceil(totalWeightLbs);
if (weightCeil 1) {
cost += (weightCeil – 1) * currentRate.increment;
}
}
// Formatting
priceDisplay.innerText = "$" + cost.toFixed(2);
var countryName = document.getElementById('destCountry').options[document.getElementById('destCountry').selectedIndex].text;
var typeName = document.getElementById('packageType').options[document.getElementById('packageType').selectedIndex].text;
resultDesc.innerHTML = "Shipping " + typeName + " to " + countryName + ".Estimated Weight: " + totalWeightLbs.toFixed(2) + " lbs.";
resultDiv.style.display = 'block';
}