From US checkout to your door.
Here's exactly what happens between you clicking "buy" at a US retailer and the package arriving at your house. Four stages, fully transparent.
The signs you need package forwarding.
If any of these sound like you, package forwarding is the right tool for the job. If none apply, you probably don't need it.
Forwarding is for you if:
- The US retailer doesn't ship to your country (Apple, Target, Sephora, Costco often refuse)
- You want US prices on brands marked up locally (skincare, supplements, electronics)
- You're chasing US-exclusive items (Trader Joe's snacks, US-only colorways, regional releases)
- You want to consolidate multiple US orders into one international shipment
- You want to skip US sales tax on clothing via our Minnesota hub
- You need someone to repack oversized boxes before international shipping
- You want a real US street address for occasional shopping (not business mail)
- You don't want a monthly subscription for an address you barely use
What a forwarded order actually costs.
Here's the full landed cost breakdown for a typical Sephora order from a Mexican shopper. Every fee laid out — nothing hidden.
Full landed cost — every fee broken out
The single biggest cost in forwarding is shipping.
Carriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL bill by whichever is greater — actual weight or dimensional weight (the box's size). US-store boxes are usually oversized for what's inside, so you pay for empty space. We fix that for free.
Big box, small bill. We shrink it down.
Typical save: a 24×24×24 box from Target with 4 small items, repacked to 14×10×10. FedEx Ground international drops from ~$160 to ~$60.
Questions, answered
What is package forwarding?
Package forwarding gives international shoppers a real US street address that any US retailer can ship to. The forwarder receives the package at their US warehouse, then ships it onward to your home country via a carrier you choose (USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL). It lets you buy from US stores that don't ship internationally — which is most of them.
How long does package forwarding take?
Two phases. (1) US-side: from order to forwarder warehouse is usually 2-5 days depending on the retailer's shipping speed. (2) International: from forwarder to your door is typically 4-10 days via DHL/FedEx Express, 7-15 days via USPS Priority. Plan for 1-2 weeks total in most cases.
What does package forwarding cost?
Three components. (1) The retailer's US shipping fee (usually free or low) to the forwarder. (2) The forwarder's service fee — Selectido charges $14.99 flat per outbound shipment, with no monthly subscription. (3) The international carrier cost, which depends on weight, dimensions, and destination. Our free repack cuts the carrier cost significantly by reducing dimensional weight.
Do I have to pay customs duties?
Yes, the destination country charges import duties and VAT based on declared value, item category, and your country's de minimis threshold. Selectido files accurate customs paperwork (CN-22 or CN-23 form) with every shipment. Some countries have generous de minimis (USA $800, Mexico $50, Brazil $50). Others tax everything from $0 (most EU countries since 2021).
Why does box size matter when shipping internationally?
Carriers (FedEx, UPS, DHL) charge by whichever is greater — actual weight OR dimensional weight (L × W × H ÷ 139 for international). An oversized box from a US retailer gets billed for empty space, even when half-full. Selectido repacks every parcel to true dimensions before forwarding, free, which often cuts the international shipping rate by 40-60%.