Us-Austria Mail Delivery: Is It Possible?

Sending mail from the US to Austria is possible, with several carriers offering this service, including USPS, FedEx, DHL, and Planet Mail. The cost of shipping varies depending on the carrier, the weight of the package, and the delivery method chosen. Shipping typically takes between 3 to 25 business days, depending on the chosen method. However, there are restrictions on certain goods, such as live animals and plants, precious metals, and medications.

Items prohibited by Austrian courts

When shipping to Austria, there are several items that are prohibited by Austrian courts. Here is a list of items that are prohibited from being shipped to Austria:

• Certain books and printed matter prohibited by order of the courts in Austria.
• Foreign lottery tickets and related publicity material.
• Firearms, firearm parts and accessories, or replica firearms.
• Live bees, leeches, silkworms, and flies of the family Drosophilidae.
• Live plants and animals.
• Articles made of precious metals (gold, silver, or platinum) that do not meet the required fineness standards set by Austrian regulations.
• Austrian coins, gold coins require permission from the Austrian National Bank.
• Meat and animal products, plants and plant parts, fruits, onion and flower bulbs, and other root plants without the appropriate certificates.
• Medicines intended for personal use without an import license.
• Alcoholic beverages with more than 70% alcohol by volume.
• Hazardous waste or hazardous waste service.
• Human remains, fetal remains, human body parts, or human embryos.
• Marijuana, including medicinal marijuana, and cannabidiol (CBD) derived from marijuana.
• Vape products.
• Goods moving under ATA Carnet and temporary exports and imports.
• Goods that attract excise duty, such as spirits.
• Liquids in glass containers.
• Ivory and ivory products.
• Money and negotiable items.
• Pornographic materials.
• Tobacco and tobacco products.
• Unaccompanied baggage.
• Watches exceeding $500 USD in value per package.

Please note that this list may not be exhaustive, and there may be additional restrictions or prohibitions depending on the specific circumstances and the shipping company used. It is always important to carefully review the regulations and guidelines provided by the shipping company and comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Items prohibited by US export regulations

The US government restricts the export of items that could threaten national security or its vital economic interests. These restrictions are administered by a variety of agencies, including the US Department of Commerce, the US Department of State, and the US Department of the Treasury.

• Counterfeit, bootlegged, or pirated items, including movies, DVDs, software, clothing, handbags, purses, sunglasses, and medicines.
• Currency or monetary instruments, including bank cards, bank drafts, traveller's cheques, cash, cheques, bonds, money orders, and precious metals/stones.
• Gambling materials and devices, including slot machines and their parts/accessories.
• Illicit substances, including cannabis, narcotics, and any unidentified powders, liquids, or pills.
• Certain medical devices and materials, such as barometers, thermometers, dental supplies, laboratory equipment, medical supplies, and veterinary supplies.
• Prescription and over-the-counter medications, unless for personal use.
• Rough diamonds and loose gems.
• Firearms, weaponry, and military/tactical equipment and accessories, including ammunition, blades, body armour, explosives, gas masks, gun accessories, night vision equipment, and police or military uniforms.
• Animals, reptiles, and horticultural/agricultural items, live or dead, including bird feathers, insects, caviar, reptile skins, fish skin, fur, and antlers.
• Hazardous materials or goods dangerous for air transportation, including aerosols, airbags, compressed gases, cosmetics, explosives, flammable materials, infectious substances, liquids, paints, and radioactive materials.
• Alcohol and tobacco products.
• Perishable items, including agricultural supplies, biological cultures, flowers, plants, and seeds.
• Pornographic materials and items, including adult magazines, books, and videos.
• Items prohibited by the destination country, such as pornographic materials or alcohol.

Items prohibited by Austrian import regulations

Austria has a range of prohibited and restricted items that cannot be imported into the country. Here is a list of items that are prohibited by Austrian import regulations:

• Military items and dual-use goods: This includes weapons, ammunition, firearms, explosives, and other items that serve a military purpose or can be used for multiple purposes, including civilian and military.
• Medicines: Austria restricts the import of medicines, and those intended for personal use require an import license.
• Tobacco and alcohol: The import of tobacco products and alcoholic beverages is restricted and may require special permits or licenses.
• Live animals: Austria prohibits the import of live animals, including pets and livestock.
• Plants: The import of live plants is prohibited, but processed plant products like salami and tinned meats are allowed in limited quantities.
• Precious metals and coins: Articles made of gold, silver, or platinum must meet specific fineness standards, and Austrian coins and gold coins require permission from the Austrian National Bank.
• Lottery tickets: Foreign lottery tickets and related publicity materials are prohibited from being imported into Austria.
• Printed matter: Certain books and printed materials are prohibited by order of the courts in Austria.
• Human remains: Importing human remains, including organs and tissues, is generally prohibited. However, cremated remains are allowed under specific conditions, such as addressing them to a funeral director or mortician.
• Bees, leeches, silkworms, and certain flies: Live bees, leeches, silkworms, and flies of the family Drosophilidae are prohibited from being imported into Austria.

It is important to note that these restrictions are subject to change, and there may be additional items prohibited by Austrian import regulations. It is always advisable to check with the relevant authorities before attempting to import any goods into Austria.

Shipping costs and delivery times

Shipping costs from the US to Austria vary depending on the shipping option (express or economy) and the carrier. For example, as of 2 January 2025, the following rates in US dollars apply:

• Budget Economy: 8-14 days, from $11.38
• DPD Powered by Aramex: 5-11 days
• DHL Express Smallbox: 2-5 days
• FedEx Economy: 5-9 days
• DHL Express: 2-5 days
• FedEx Priority: 3-6 days
• UPS Expedited: 5-9 days
• UPS Worldwide Saver: 3-6 days

Shipping costs can also be calculated by weight and dimensions. For example, MyUS offers a TruePrice™ guaranteed pricing system that calculates rates by weight only. However, 99% of shipments are calculated by weight only, and true price excludes packages with linear dimensions (length + width + height) greater than 72 inches (183 cm).

Additionally, the US Postal Service (USPS) provides a list of rates for various shipping options, including:

• Global Express Guaranteed: $40.70, with an additional $3.70 for each additional pound or fraction of a pound
• Priority Mail Express International: $5.25 for small packages and $9.50 for large packages, with a maximum weight of 4 pounds
• Priority Mail International: $8.50 for 0.5 lbs, $12.75 for 1.0 lb, $14.75 for 1.5 lbs, $18.00 for 2.0 lbs, $22.25 for 2.5 lbs, $25.25 for 3.0 lbs, $29.50 for 3.5 lbs, and $32.75 for 4.0 lbs, with a maximum weight of 4 pounds
• First-Class Mail International: Refer to Notice 123 Price List for the applicable retail price, with a weight limit of 3.5 oz for letters and postcards, and 15.994 oz for large envelopes
• First-Class Package International Service: Refer to Notice 123 Price List for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price, with a weight limit of 4 lbs

It's important to note that shipping costs may also be affected by the package's origin and destination, shipment date, weight, and the choice of carrier or delivery service. Some carriers may offer discounted rates or special promotions, so it's recommended to compare prices and services before selecting a shipping option.

Regarding delivery times, the average shipping time from the US to Austria depends on the chosen shipping option and carrier. Typically, economy or budget shipping options take 4 to 10 business days, while express shipping options can arrive in as little as 1 to 4 business days. For example, the MyUS carrier service claims to deliver packages in as little as 2 to 4 days.

It's worth noting that delivery times may vary due to various factors, such as weather conditions, customs clearance, and the efficiency of the carrier. Additionally, Saturday and Sunday are considered non-working days in Austria, and public holidays may also impact delivery schedules.

Customs forms and declarations

Customs forms are required for all items containing goods sent from the US to Austria. The specific form you need depends on the USPS mail service you use and the total value of the items you are sending.

For all items containing goods, Austria requests that the customs declaration form includes the following information, if available:

• Country of origin for each article in the item.
• Economic Operator Registration Identification (EORI), if such a number has been assigned.
• The corresponding 6-digit harmonized system code for each article.

When going through customs control, you must declare the following goods, i.e., submit a customs declaration for:

• Goods not intended for your personal use.
• Goods obtained outside the EU that exceed the duty-free amounts for tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, perfumes, coffee, tea, medicine, and the duty-free allowance for other goods.
• Goods that are subject to bans or restrictions on imports.

If a customs office is equipped with Red and Green Channels, you must use the Red Channel when carrying such goods to submit your customs declaration. If there are no separate customs control exits, take the initiative and declare these goods. You may use the Green Channel if you do not carry any goods requiring a declaration.

In the case of doubt, you should declare all goods. If any tax or customs exemptions apply, these will be granted. When entering Austria from a non-EU country and carrying goods purchased in an EU country, keep the receipt ready to avoid paying customs duties or taxes.

For Priority Mail International parcels, an invoice in duplicate is required for all commercial shipments and all personal shipments valued at $300 or more. The invoices must be affixed to the outside of the parcel or enclosed in PS Form 2976-E with the customs declaration.

For First-Class Mail International, no customs form is required if the package weighs under 15.994 oz and contains only non-negotiable documents or correspondence.

Frequently asked questions