Usps Shipping To Azerbaijan: What You Need To Know

USPS does ship to Azerbaijan, but there are some restrictions on what can be mailed. Items that are prohibited from being shipped to Azerbaijan include articles for smoking opium and hashish, coins, foreign currency, and banknotes. Other restricted items include firearms, ammunition, and other weapons, as well as narcotics and psychotropic substances. Shipping costs and delivery times vary depending on the carrier and the weight and dimensions of the package.

Shipping costs and methods

USPS provides a range of shipping options for sending mail and packages to Azerbaijan, including:

• Global Express Guaranteed: This service offers quick delivery times and includes insurance for documents and non-documents. The maximum weight limit is 70 lbs, and the shipping rate is based on the Price Group 4.
• Priority Mail Express International: With a weight limit of 70 lbs, this service is available for merchandise shipments only. It offers flat-rate envelopes with a maximum weight of 4 lbs. Customs forms are required for all Priority Mail Express International items.
• Priority Mail International: This service has a weight limit of 70 lbs and offers flat-rate envelopes and small flat-rate priced boxes with a maximum weight of 4 lbs. Medium and large flat-rate boxes have a maximum weight of 20 lbs. Customs forms are required for all Priority Mail International items.
• First-Class Mail International: This service is for letters, postcards, and large envelopes (flats) with specific weight limits. Customs forms are not required unless otherwise specified.
• First-Class Package International Service: This service has a weight limit of 4 lbs, and customs forms are required.
• Airmail M-bags: Direct sack service to one addressee with a weight limit of 66 lbs. Customs forms are required.
• Free Matter for the Blind: This service is available for First-Class Mail International, First-Class Package International Service, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes, and Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes with a weight limit of 4 lbs. For Priority Mail International items, the weight limit is 15 lbs. Customs forms may be required, depending on the service.

The cost of shipping from the US to Azerbaijan varies depending on the carrier, package weight, and delivery method chosen. Traditional shipping methods such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL can be expensive, with rates calculated based on package dimensions and weight. However, package forwarding companies like Planet Express and MyUS offer more affordable rates, with prices starting at around $10 for small packages. These companies provide free US addresses, allowing customers to consolidate multiple packages into one shipment, reducing international shipping rates by up to 80%. MyUS also offers exclusive low rates and door-to-door tracking through partnerships with major global carriers.

When shipping to Azerbaijan, it is important to be aware of the prohibited and restricted items. These include firearms, ammunition, narcotics, psychotropic substances, radioactive materials, and certain printed matter promoting immorality, violence, or terror. Additionally, items such as prescription medications, perishable products, poisonous substances, and explosives are prohibited by delivery companies and airlines.

Prohibited items

When shipping to Azerbaijan, it is crucial to be aware of the prohibited items to avoid legal consequences and delays or confiscation of packages. Here is a detailed list of items that are prohibited for shipping to Azerbaijan:

• Narcotics, controlled substances, and psychotropic substances, including any articles for their use. This includes opium, hashish, and narcotics through international mail, which can result in severe penalties.
• Weapons, firearms, ammunition, explosives, and other related items designed for attack or defense, such as knuckledusters, stiletto blades, and balls of paralyzing fluid.
• Hunting weapons and ammunition require prior authorization from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan.
• Radioactive materials and rare plants listed in the Red Book of the Republic of Azerbaijan, antlers, and horns of the Cervidae species.
• Counterfeit goods, including fake branded products such as clothing, accessories, electronics, or any items infringing on intellectual property rights.
• Printed matter, such as books, newspapers, pictures, manuscripts, typescripts, and plans promoting immorality, violence, or terror.
• Films containing technology on the manufacture of narcotics, psychotropic or toxic substances, explosives, or arms and ammunition.
• Films promoting immorality, violence, or terror.
• Coins, foreign currency, banknotes, credit notes, securities payable to the bearer, checks, precious metals, precious stones, natural diamonds, jewels, and other valuable articles. Azerbaijan will not accept liability for the loss or damage of such items.
• Prescription medications, including dental and veterinary drugs.
• Prescription medical devices and medical devices not approved by the FDA.
• Prohormones, Human Growth Hormones, stem cell treatments, steroids, or synthetic versions.
• Non-prescription medications, foods, supplements, drugs, or cosmetics that have been issued a Consumer Safety Advisory Warning and are not labelled in English or without FDA-approved labelling.
• Perishable products of any kind.
• Poisonous, toxic, or hazardous substances, including inhalation hazards.
• Infectious substances, biological products, and veterinary products.
• Explosives, fireworks, gunpowder, flares, matches, and fuels such as gasoline or diesel.
• Lighters containing fuel.
• Meals Ready to Eat (MRE).
• Pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides.
• Self-balancing boards (hoverboards).
• Firearms, guns, and accessories, including replicas, BB/pellet/airsoft/paintball guns, parts, projectiles, ammunition, magazines, and bayonets.
• Tear gas, mace, and pepper spray.
• Gas masks and gas mask filters.
• Law enforcement weapons, such as saps, batons, billy clubs, and handcuffs of any material, including plastic zip tie restraints and straitjackets.
• Body armour, helmets, or personal protection articles with Kevlar or ballistic ratings.
• Military, tactical, or police shields, uniforms, IDs, and badges, whether real or replica.
• Military training equipment and military flight helmets and jumpsuits.
• Military and law enforcement equipment, including night vision devices, rifle scopes, and laser pointing/aiming devices for firearms.
• Defense articles controlled under the US Munitions List per International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
• Self-propelled vehicles.
• Any dual-use or commercial article controlled under the Commerce Control List, requiring a Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) approved export license.
• Contraband or illegal substances.
• Gambling devices and accessories.
• Lock-picking devices.
• Live or dead animals, insects, or certain skins, fur, or leather from specific animals, such as snakes, alligators, crocodiles, stingrays, and other reptiles or amphibians.
• Sturgeon or Beluga caviar.
• Certain agricultural products, including seeds, live or dead plants, unfinished or untreated wood, and soil.
• Items containing animal products controlled under the Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, or requiring a permit under CITES.
• Any unidentifiable material, substance, or chemical.
• Tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and vaping devices.

Customs duties and taxes

Understanding Customs Duties and Taxes

Determining Duty and Tax Rates

The duty and tax rates for shipping to Azerbaijan can vary depending on the category of goods being imported. It is essential to classify your goods accurately to ensure compliance with customs regulations. The taxable value of your shipment is typically based on the value of the goods, but it may also include other amounts, depending on Azerbaijan's valuation method. To calculate the import duty for your shipment, you can multiply the taxable value of your goods by the applicable duty and tax percentage for Azerbaijan.

Brokerage Fees and Additional Charges

In addition to the customs duties and taxes, there are usually brokerage fees levied by the import customs broker. These fees are charged for filing the import customs clearance documents with the local customs authorities. The customs brokerage fee is separate from the customs duties and import VAT (Value-Added Tax) or GST (Goods and Services Tax) applied to the imported goods. It is important to be aware of these additional charges to avoid unexpected costs.

Duty and Tax Exemptions

It is worth noting that certain goods may be exempt from customs duties and taxes when shipped to Azerbaijan. All mail items received within a 30-day period with a total value of up to $1,000 may be imported free of duty. However, it is recommended to attach relevant invoices or statements to assist the customs service in evaluating these items accurately.

Using Duty Calculators

To simplify the process of determining customs duties and taxes, online duty calculators are available. These tools allow you to estimate the taxes and duties for your shipment based on its value and the type of goods being imported. Utilizing these calculators can help you anticipate the costs and avoid surprises or delays during the shipping process.

Compliance and Regulations

It is essential to comply with all customs regulations and provide accurate information to avoid penalties and delays. Underdeclaring the value of items to evade taxes is considered tax evasion and is against the law. Customs authorities have the right to verify the declared value of goods by checking business websites and other sources. Therefore, it is crucial to be transparent and provide accurate information on customs forms.

Shipping time

USPS

USPS offers Priority Mail International with shipping to more than 180 countries within 6-8 business days.

MyUS

MyUS offers a variety of shipping options with different delivery times:

• UPS Expedited: 5-9 days
• DHL Express Smallbox: 2-5 days
• FedEx Economy: 5-9 days
• DHL Express: 2-5 days
• UPS Worldwide Saver: 3-6 days
• FedEx Priority: 3-6 days

Planet Express

Planet Express offers shipping to Azerbaijan using carriers such as FedEx or DHL. The delivery time is 5 days with express methods and 5 to 25 days with cheaper, economic methods.

Package forwarding services

If you're looking to ship a package from the US to Azerbaijan, you may want to consider using a package forwarding service. These services can help you save on shipping costs and ensure your package gets to its destination quickly and safely. Here's some more information on package forwarding services:

Additionally, package forwarding services like MyUS provide a US shipping address, allowing you to shop US stores sales tax-free. This can result in significant savings, as you won't have to pay US sales tax on your purchases. They also offer upfront pricing based on package weight, so you don't have to worry about complicated calculations or hidden costs.

When using a package forwarding service, it's important to be aware of any restrictions on what can be shipped to Azerbaijan. Some common prohibited items include prescription medications, firearms, explosives, and toxic substances. Be sure to review the prohibited and restricted items list provided by the forwarding service to ensure your package complies with all regulations.

Overall, package forwarding services offer a convenient, cost-effective, and efficient way to ship packages from the US to Azerbaijan, providing peace of mind and potentially significant savings.

Frequently asked questions