1–3 days express, 5–8 days economy — US customs clearance adds 0–2 days.
Shipping from Portugal to the USA takes 1–3 business days by express air service (DHL Express, FedEx International Priority, UPS Worldwide Express) and 5–8 business days by economy air/road services. All parcels entering the USA require US customs clearance by CBP (US Customs and Border Protection). Under the US de minimis threshold ($800), most consumer parcels clear customs automatically without duty. Shipments above $800 are subject to US import duty at applicable tariff rates. Portuguese goods benefit from zero tariff rates on most products under the current US-EU trade relationship for goods under $800.
| Carrier | Economy | Express | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHL Express | — | 1–3 days | Express Worldwide. Own US network (DHL Express USA). |
| FedEx | 5–7 days | 1–2 days | FedEx Intl Priority (1–2d) or International Economy (5–7d). |
| UPS | 5–8 days | 1–3 days | UPS Worldwide Express or Worldwide Expedited. |
| DPD | — | — | DPD does not operate direct USA services. |
| GLS | — | — | GLS does not operate direct USA services. |
Times are business days. Customs clearance time (if applicable) is additional and variable.
All parcels shipped to the USA are processed by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The US de minimis threshold is $800 — parcels valued below $800 typically clear customs automatically with no duty. For parcels above $800, US import duty rates apply (vary by HS code and country of origin). Shipping from Portugal: most goods qualify for standard MFN tariff rates. Couriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS) handle US customs clearance electronically via ISF (Importer Security Filing). You must provide a commercial invoice with: item description, quantity, declared value in USD, HS code, and country of origin.
Keep your declared value accurate and in USD — CBP cross-checks values and undervalued shipments are flagged.
For B2C shipments under $800, ensure your commercial invoice clearly states the retail value — this triggers the US de minimis and avoids duty.
Include the HS code on your invoice — FedEx and DHL use it for automated customs pre-clearance. Missing HS codes cause delays.
FedEx International Priority is often the fastest and most competitive for Portugal-USA routes — compare with DHL Express on Cargosender.
If shipping food or plant products to the USA, check FDA (food) and APHIS (plants) import requirements — many categories require prior approval.
Express services (DHL Express, FedEx International Priority): 1–3 business days. Economy services (FedEx International Economy, UPS Worldwide Expedited): 5–8 business days. US customs clearance adds 0–2 business days for well-documented shipments.
Parcels valued under $800 (the US de minimis) are typically duty-free. Parcels above $800 are subject to US import duties at applicable tariff rates (usually 0–25% depending on the HS code). Portuguese goods are not subject to the Section 301 tariffs that apply to Chinese goods.
You need: (1) commercial invoice with full item description, quantity, USD value, HS code, and country of origin (Portugal/EU), (2) the courier's waybill/airway bill generated at booking. For restricted goods (food, plants, medicines), additional FDA/APHIS documentation may be required.
Wine: each US state has different alcohol import laws — some allow direct-to-consumer wine imports, others prohibit it. Check the destination state's regulations. Food: commercially packaged food is generally accepted. Fresh produce, meat and dairy are subject to USDA APHIS restrictions. Always check FDA and USDA import rules for specific food items.
For most weight/zone combinations, DHL Express and FedEx International Priority are very close in price. FedEx International Economy is often cheaper for non-urgent shipments. Compare live rates on Cargosender — the cheapest carrier depends on your specific parcel dimensions and weight.
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