Transit Time Guide
Shipping from Portugal to the USA
1–3 days express, 5–8 days economy — US customs clearance adds 0–2 days.
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.
FedEx International Priority and DHL Express offer Saturday delivery in major US cities (New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago) when selected at booking. Saturday delivery covers most of the continental US — Alaska and Hawaii may differ. Check availability at Cargosender checkout before selecting a Saturday collection date.
FedEx and UPS leave packages at the door for residential deliveries that do not require a signature — very common in the US. DHL holds at a Service Point. UPS My Choice and FedEx Delivery Manager allow US recipients to redirect, reschedule and customise delivery. Most US residential shipments are left at the door — the US market has high tolerance for unattended delivery.
DHL Express and FedEx International Priority offer money-back guarantees for express services to the USA. US customs clearance (CBP) via ISF (Importer Security Filing) is typically completed before the aircraft lands for express shipments, so delays are rare for well-documented shipments. Economy services (FedEx International Economy, UPS Expedited) do not carry money-back guarantees.
Yes — DHL, FedEx and UPS all provide excellent tracking to the USA including last-mile. US domestic tracking is world-class — recipients receive email, SMS and app notifications at every stage. FedEx Delivery Manager and UPS My Choice allow US recipients to redirect, reschedule and customise deliveries. Tracking visibility is unmatched on this route.
DHL Express: 70 kg per parcel, girth 300 cm, single dimension 120 cm. FedEx International Priority: 68 kg, 330 cm combined length + girth. UPS Worldwide Express: 70 kg. US CBP has no additional size restrictions for express courier imports. For oversized freight, air freight forwarding is more appropriate than courier services.
No — transit times are air transport only. US CBP customs clearance via ISF is typically completed before the aircraft lands — most express shipments are pre-cleared and delivered without delays. Shipments above $800 requiring formal entry may add 1–2 business days if a formal Entry Summary is needed and not pre-arranged by the carrier's brokerage team.
Yes — all transatlantic air carriers charge fuel surcharges (typically 15–25% of base rate), adjusted monthly. These are included in Cargosender's quoted prices. The Portugal-USA route benefits from direct Lisbon-JFK, Lisbon-Miami and Lisbon-Boston connections — high flight frequency keeps express shipment times and costs competitive.
US CBP and FAA (for air transport) regulate DG imports strictly. Dangerous goods require IATA-compliant packaging, carrier pre-approval, and may require US-specific EPA or DOT permits for certain categories. Some DG classes are restricted from commercial passenger aircraft. Contact Cargosender for DG guidance before booking any hazardous goods shipment to the USA.
Book at Cargosender.com — compare DHL Express, FedEx and UPS rates for your parcel weight and US destination. For parcels under $800, no import duty applies — just declare the value accurately. The carrier picks up from your Portuguese address and handles all US customs clearance electronically via ISF pre-filing.
FedEx International Priority and DHL Express both lead for USA on-time performance — both have direct Portugal connections and major US hub operations. FedEx is particularly strong for East Coast USA (via Memphis hub). DHL Express is strong across all US markets. UPS Worldwide Express is comparable in performance. Compare prices and transit times for your specific route on Cargosender.
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