What is package forwarding?
Also known as: US package forwarding, international package forwarding, package re-shipping, package consolidation service. The dictionary-style package forwarding definition is: a service that gives an international customer a US street address and re-ships incoming parcels abroad. The plain-English package forwarding meaning is "you ship to the US, they ship to your country." A package forwarder (sometimes asked as "what is a package forwarder") is the company providing the service. How does package forwarding work? See the four-step process below. The core asset is a virtual US address — sometimes called suite ID forwarding because each customer gets a unique suite number. Package consolidation is the cost-saving extra most package forwarding service providers add on top.
Package forwarding solves a structural problem in US ecommerce: most US retailers (Target, Best Buy, Walmart, Sephora, Whole Foods, many small brands) either don't ship internationally at all, or restrict international shipping to a tiny subset of their catalog. A package forwarder bridges the gap by giving the customer a US address that retailers do ship to, then re-shipping the goods abroad.
How package forwarding works
- Sign up + get a US address. The service issues a real US street address with a unique suite or unit number (e.g., SE-3YF8) for the customer. This is the address used at checkout when shopping US retailers.
- Shop US stores normally. The customer buys from Amazon, Target, Walmart, Sephora, Apple, Best Buy — any US retailer — and ships to the forwarder's address.
- Packages arrive at the warehouse. The forwarder receives, photographs, and logs each package. Many services let the customer see the package contents on request.
- Consolidate (optional). Multiple packages can be combined into one box, dramatically reducing international shipping cost.
- Ship internationally. The forwarder packs, labels, files customs paperwork, and ships via USPS, DHL, UPS, FedEx, or Aramex to the customer's country.
Package forwarding pricing models
Subscription: MyUS, Shipito, Stackry charge a recurring monthly fee ($10-$60/month) for the address plus per-package handling fees and shipping. Best for high-volume users.
Per-shipment (no subscription): Selectido charges a flat $14.99 per shipment with no monthly fee. Best for occasional shoppers.
Free address + ship-only: Some services give the address free but charge premium shipping rates. Often more expensive in total.
Package forwarding vs related services
Package forwarding vs virtual mailbox: Virtual mailbox is focused on mail (letters, documents) with scan-and-forward features. Package forwarding is focused on physical packages. Some services (Selectido) do both.
Package forwarding vs virtual shopping: Virtual shopping involves a live shopper who buys for you. Package forwarding just receives and re-ships things you bought yourself.
Package forwarding vs international Amazon shipping: Amazon now ships some items internationally directly, but the catalog is heavily restricted. Package forwarding unlocks the full Amazon US catalog.
Try Selectido package forwarding — $14.99 flat →