About UPS International Shipping Regulations

United Parcel Service, or UPS, has rules and regulations regarding international shipping. In many cases, the regulations are country-specific, depending on international trade regulations and current world politics. Other regulations are standard for all international shipping, whether import or export.

International UPS shipping regulations are not as much regulations as they are policies. Shipping internationally is subject to certain federal regulatory agencies, policies and laws. However, unlike federally funded shipping carriers, UPS is free to establish its own, provided such regulations adhere to federal guidelines.

Country-Specific Regulations

Countries known or suspected of involvement with terrorism have tighter restrictions on what can be shipped in or out and how those packages are handled. Likewise, countries with specific controls in place regarding imports and exports may require different UPS shipping regulations for compliance.

General International Shipping Rules

While specifics may be different for each country, certain regulations are common for all international shipping. Certain substances cannot be shipped internationally. Certain commodities have stipulations on when, where and how those products can be shipped in or out of the United States. Some commodities are strictly prohibited, no matter the country of origin or final destination. Likewise, other commodities must be officially declared, require specific paperwork or documentation, or shipped by specific means. 

Research and Understand the Regulations

UPS offers extensive information regarding international shipping at retail locations and online. Customers can search for country-specific regulations, as well as general rules. Additional information, such as step-by-step procedures, global maps, time zone information and weight or size limits are also available.