Shipping To Austria: A Guide For Us Residents

how to send a package to austria from us

Sending a package from the US to Austria can be a tricky process, with various shipping policies and regulations to consider. The cost of shipping depends on the weight and size of the package, as well as the delivery method chosen. There are several companies that offer shipping services to Austria, including Planet Express, MyUS, AEC Parcel Service, and Meest-America. These companies provide different shipping options, such as express and economic methods, and offer additional services like package forwarding and customs declaration assistance. It's important to be aware of prohibited items and customs regulations to ensure a smooth shipping process.

Characteristics Values
Carriers USPS, DHL, FedEx, Planet Mail, MyUS, AEC Parcel Service, Meest-America, UPS
Shipping time 2-25 business days
Cost Depends on weight, dimensions, and urgency of the package
Customs Requires customs declaration and may be subject to duty & TAX
Prohibited items Prescription medications, defense articles, dual-use or commercial articles

shunculture

Shipping costs and methods

When shipping a package from the US to Austria, there are several options for carriers, including USPS, DHL, FedEx, Planet Mail, and MyUS. The cost of shipping will depend on the weight and size of the package, as well as the delivery method chosen. For example, express shipping methods will be faster but more expensive, while slower delivery methods will be more budget-friendly.

To get the lowest rates for package shipping to Austria, you can use a package forwarding company like Planet Express or AEC Parcel Service. These companies offer US addresses that you can use for receiving orders from US online stores. Once your purchases arrive at the provided address, the company will notify you and then consolidate your purchases into a single package for cost-effective shipping. You can then choose your preferred shipping carrier and delivery method.

When using a package forwarding company, you will need to complete a customs declaration form before shipping your package to Austria. This form requires you to describe the contents of the package, and it is important to be aware of any prohibited items that cannot be shipped to Austria. Some common prohibited items include prescription medications, defence articles, and commercial articles controlled under the Commerce Control List.

The cost of shipping from the US to Austria can vary depending on the carrier and delivery method chosen. Prices for smaller packages can start as low as $10, while larger packages can cost dozens of dollars. To get an accurate estimate of the shipping cost, you can use online calculators provided by carriers such as AEC Parcel Service, MyUS, and Meest. These calculators will take into account the weight, size, and destination of your package to provide you with a quote.

shunculture

Package forwarding companies

  • Planet Express: Planet Express provides a free US address in Gardena, California, and a premium sales-tax-free address in Portland, Oregon. They offer quick and cheap delivery methods and provide package tracking.
  • MyUS: MyUS gives you a US sales tax-free address, so you pay 0% US sales tax on your purchases. They can combine multiple items into one shipment to save on shipping costs and offer exclusive low rates and fast delivery times. MyUS delivers to any city within Austria and provides door-to-door tracking.
  • Forward.me: Forward.me offers negotiated rates and special discounts for its members. They provide fast and secure shipping, a dedicated customer support team, and a personal shopper service. They can also consolidate multiple packages into one shipment to reduce costs.
  • AEC Parcel Service: AEC Parcel Service offers budget-friendly shipping rates for packages going to Austria from the US. They provide free insurance, free pick-up services, free 24/7 tracking, and customer support.
  • Forward2me: forward2me has warehouses in Germany and Poland, allowing you to shop on European websites and ship worldwide. They provide fast and efficient service, with excellent customer support.

shunculture

Customs and prohibited items

When shipping a package from the US to Austria, it is important to be aware of the customs regulations and prohibited items to ensure a smooth shipping process and avoid delays, additional costs, fines, or legal consequences.

Austria follows the EU's customs regulations, with a standard VAT rate of 20%. However, certain products like books enjoy a reduced rate of 10%, while essentials such as food are taxed at 13%. To calculate duties and taxes accurately for shipments to Austria, you need to consider the item's value, origin, and classification. Understanding these fees will ensure a smooth customs declaration process and prevent unexpected costs upon delivery.

Before sending a package to Austria, you must complete a customs declaration form, which requires you to describe the contents of the package. This form is crucial for customs officers to inspect the imported package.

There are several items that are prohibited or restricted from entering Austria. These include:

  • Counterfeit goods or pirated materials
  • Narcotics and illegal drugs
  • Endangered species and products made from them
  • Firearms and ammunition (special permits required)
  • Plants, seeds, and certain food products (may need phytosanitary certificates)
  • Alcohol and tobacco products exceeding specified quantities (special permits required)
  • Prescription medications, including dental and veterinary
  • Defense articles controlled under the US Munitions List as defined by the International Traffic in Arms Regulations
  • Any dual-use or commercial article controlled under the Commerce Control List (CCL) that requires a Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) approved export license

It is the sender's responsibility to ensure that the items being shipped comply with all legal regulations, both for the country of origin and the destination country.

shunculture

Tracking your package

When shipping a package from the US to Austria, it is important to be able to track your package. There are several ways to do this.

Firstly, you can use the tracking number provided by the courier company. This can be used on the courier's website to get real-time updates on your package's location and delivery status. Common couriers used for shipping to Austria include Austria Post, DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT, and USPS. Some courier websites may also allow you to create your own track button or tracking page.

Additionally, there are third-party websites such as Trackingmore that can be used to track packages from multiple carriers all in one place. These websites often provide updates and notifications, as well as other features such as API tracking.

For those who use Meest-America to ship their packages, the Meest Portal offers a user-friendly platform to track your packages, locate the nearest drop-off location, and review payment history, among other features.

Finally, for packages purchased from popular online stores such as AliExpress, Joom, GearBest, BangGood, Taobao, eBay, or JD.com, you can use the Parcel App to track your deliveries.

shunculture

Delivery times

Planet Express, for example, offers express delivery methods that take as little as 5 days, while their cheaper, economic methods can take between 5 to 10 days. On the other hand, MyUS advertises delivery times of 2 to 4 days, with some customers in Austria receiving their packages in as little as 2 days.

The delivery time is also influenced by the package's characteristics, such as its weight and dimensions. Generally, shipping costs are calculated based on these factors, with heavier and larger packages tending to be more expensive to ship. Some companies, like MyUS, calculate shipping rates based solely on package weight, which can be advantageous for customers.

Additionally, the origin of the shipment within the US can impact delivery times. Meest-America, for instance, notes that shipping costs and delivery times may vary depending on the region within the US.

It's worth noting that package forwarding companies like Planet Express and MyUS can provide US addresses for customers to receive orders from US online stores. These companies then consolidate the purchases into a single package for more cost-effective shipping before forwarding them to the customer's home address in Austria. This process adds some time before the package is dispatched, but it can result in significant savings on international shipping rates.

When choosing a shipping company and method, it's essential to consider your budget and delivery timeline preferences. Some companies, like AEC Parcel Service, offer rate calculators on their websites, allowing customers to estimate shipping charges and delivery times based on their specific needs.

Frequently asked questions

Shipping to Austria from the US can take anywhere from 2 to 25 business days, depending on the shipping method and carrier.

The cost of shipping to Austria from the US depends on the weight and size of the package, as well as the delivery method chosen. Prices can start as low as $10 for small packages, but heavier and larger packages will cost more.

Yes, there are certain restrictions on what can be shipped to Austria from the US. Some prohibited items include prescription medications, defense articles controlled under the US Munitions List, and any dual-use or commercial article controlled under the Commerce Control List. It is the sender's responsibility to ensure that their package complies with all legal regulations to avoid delays and issues with customs.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment