International Shipping With DHL & FedEx From Cape May County

Sending a package internationally from Cape May County — to family in the UK, a customer in Australia, or a vacation visitor heading home to Germany — looks deceptively simple at first. Then customs forms, restricted-item lists, harmonized codes, and weight/value thresholds get in the way. Here's the international-shipping playbook from our shop in Ocean View.

Which carrier wins by region

DHL Express International — best for Europe, UK, Asia

DHL was built for international. Their customs clearance is the fastest in the industry, transit times are tight, and pricing is competitive on most lanes from the US East Coast. Default to DHL for: UK, EU countries, Switzerland, Norway, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, the UAE.

FedEx International Priority — best for the Americas and some Asia

FedEx has strong presence in Canada, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia. Pricing is often competitive on these lanes, and door-to-door delivery is reliable. Default to FedEx for: Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, certain Asian destinations.

UPS Worldwide — solid backup, sometimes wins on lanes

UPS Worldwide Express and Saver are strong on lanes where they have direct-air capacity. Often wins to certain South American destinations.

USPS International — cheapest, but slowest and least tracked

USPS First-Class Package International is by far the cheapest for items under 4 lbs. The trade-offs: tracking is limited (sometimes ends at the border), transit times are 7–21 days, and customs handling is unpredictable. Use it for low-value items where speed and tracking aren't critical.

Typical transit times by region (express service)

Customs paperwork — what you'll fill out

Every international shipment needs a customs declaration. We handle the form for you at the counter, but here's what you'll need to know:

• Itemized contents: "gift" is not enough. List each item, quantity, and value.
• Harmonized System (HS) code: a 6-digit international classification. We look these up for you.
• Country of origin for each item — usually where it was manufactured.
• Declared value: honest fair-market value. Underdeclaring is illegal and risks seizure.
• Purpose: gift, sale, sample, personal use, repair, return.
• Recipient's local tax ID for commercial shipments in many countries.

Prohibited items (the most common ones we have to reject)

• Lithium batteries — heavy restrictions, often prohibited in standalone form. Devices containing lithium batteries may be okay with declarations.
• Aerosols and pressurized containers (sunscreen sprays, hairspray, etc.)
• Most liquids and flammables over certain volumes
• Perishables (food without proper certification, plants, seeds)
• Tobacco, alcohol, and CBD/cannabis — destination-specific, mostly restricted
• Firearms, ammunition, knives, and weapons
• Cash, gift cards, and high-value jewelry (allowed but heavily restricted insurance)
• Counterfeit goods (obviously)

Documentation tips that save customers money

• Mark gifts as gifts when applicable — many countries have a duty-free allowance on personal gifts under a certain value.
• Be specific in item descriptions. "Used clothing — 3 cotton t-shirts" clears customs faster than "clothes."
• Pack items separately from documentation — customs forms go in a clear pouch on the outside.
• Include the recipient's phone and email — customs uses these for clearance questions.

Common international shipments we see from the shore

• Vacation visitors mailing forgotten items home (laptops, jewelry, sentimental things)
• Shore-business owners shipping product samples to overseas buyers or distributors
• Grandparents sending birthday and Christmas gifts to family in Europe, Canada, and Australia
• Real estate transactions where documents need to be in another country fast
• Wedding invitations and announcements to international family

Pricing reality check

International express is not cheap. A 2-pound package to the UK via DHL Express might be $70–$110. The same package via USPS First-Class International might be $35–$50 — but with 2–3 weeks of transit, limited tracking, and no real customer service if it gets lost. For anything valuable or time-sensitive, the premium is worth it.

FAQs

Can you ship gifts to APO/FPO military addresses?

Yes — USPS is usually best for APO/FPO since military mail uses the USPS network exclusively in most cases.

Do you handle the customs declaration, or is that on me?

We handle it at the counter. You give us contents, values, and recipient info; we complete the form, attach it to the package, and submit it electronically to the carrier.

What if my shipment gets stuck in customs?

It happens. The carrier (DHL/FedEx) will usually contact the recipient for clarification or duty payment. If you need help, bring your tracking number to our shop and we'll work with the carrier on your behalf.