Shippability at a glance.
Whether each category ships via USPS, UPS, FedEx, or DHL. Full per-category breakdowns below.
Category × Carrier matrix
What ships and what doesn't
US-made baby formula (Similac, Enfamil, Gerber, Earth's Best, Bobbie) is one of the most-shipped categories via Selectido — international demand is huge because US formula has rigorous FDA standards that don't always exist locally. Powder formula ships cleanly; liquid formula is heavier and pricier but allowed.
We declare formula under HS code 1901.10 ("Food preparations for infant use") with full ingredient lists and brand names. Customs in most countries clears infant formula quickly because it's considered essential.
- Australia + New Zealand: Require import permits for infant nutrition over a certain volume. We can advise.
- EU countries: Strict labeling rules — products must list ingredients in destination language for retail resale (personal use is fine).
- China: Heavy demand but customs scrutinizes for resale. Personal-use quantities only.
- Most other countries: No issues. Standard customs declaration applies.
What ships and what doesn't
Most consumer electronics ship internationally via Selectido — phones (iPhone, Android), laptops (MacBook, ThinkPad, Surface), tablets (iPad, Galaxy Tab), gaming consoles (PS5, Xbox, Switch), VR headsets (Quest), AirPods, smartwatches, and accessories. Apple's US warranty stays valid in most countries even when device was bought in the US and forwarded.
We declare under HS codes 8517-8528 with full serial numbers. Serial-logging matters for warranty claims and customs compliance.
- Under 100Wh battery (most phones/laptops): Standard shipping, no special handling.
- 100-160Wh (some MacBook Pros, Quest): Ground-only OR special air-handling fee ($25). We label correctly.
- Over 160Wh (rare, some industrial): Cannot ship internationally by passenger aircraft.
- Loose batteries (not in device): Restricted on USPS, allowed on UPS/FedEx/DHL with hazmat label.
What ships and what doesn't
Perfume is classified as a flammable liquid (alcohol content typically 70-95%) under IATA Class 3. This means it cannot ship via standard air mail (USPS won't accept it internationally). FedEx, UPS, and DHL accept it via their ground or specialized international networks with proper labeling and a $25 hazmat handling fee per shipment.
We label all perfume shipments under UN 1170 (ethanol) classification with proper IATA documentation. This adds 2-3 days to transit and the small hazmat fee, but ensures it clears customs without seizure.
- USPS: ✗ Won't accept perfume internationally (any air component disqualifies).
- UPS Worldwide: ✓ Accepts via dangerous goods program. Ground + restricted air routes.
- FedEx Priority: ✓ Accepts with dangerous goods declaration + hazmat fee.
- DHL Express: ✓ Most flexible for perfume worldwide. Slight surcharge.
- Quantity limits: Typically 4 bottles or 500ml total per shipment for personal use.
What ships and what doesn't
US skincare ships freely internationally in nearly all cases. Moisturizers, serums, retinol products, vitamin C treatments, masks, sunscreens (SPF), exfoliants, and most facial cleansers all clear customs as standard merchandise. This is our highest-volume category — Sephora, Drunk Elephant, The Ordinary, La Mer, CeraVe, and Rare Beauty orders make up a huge share of our outbound shipments.
We declare skincare under HS code 3304 ("Beauty or make-up preparations"). Customs treats it as standard merchandise — no special permits needed in most countries.
- High-alcohol toners and essences: If alcohol >24%, same flammable rules as perfume apply. Most skincare is well below this.
- Prescription retinoids (Tretinoin, Retin-A): Treated as medication. See the medication category for rules.
- EU customers (post-2021): EU now charges VAT on all imports from $0+. No de minimis. Plan accordingly.
- Korea + Japan: Sometimes flag for ingredient checks on personal care. Rarely held longer than 24h.
What ships and what doesn't
Vitamins, minerals, protein powders, fish oils, collagen, probiotics, and most herbal supplements ship internationally as standard merchandise. GNC, Thorne, Pure Encapsulations, Nature's Bounty, and Costco's Kirkland Signature supplements are top categories on Selectido.
We declare under HS code 2106.90 ("Food preparations not elsewhere specified") for most supplements, or 3004.50 for vitamin preparations. Note: any product marketed as "medication" or containing prescription ingredients gets reclassified.
- Australia: TGA-restricted ingredient list — melatonin and DHEA need permits.
- Saudi Arabia + UAE: CBD and any hemp-derived products are restricted. Standard vitamins are fine.
- EU: No prohibition but VAT applies on all imports.
- Brazil: ANVISA scrutinizes for resale quantities. Personal use is unrestricted.
What ships and what doesn't
Alcoholic beverages can ship via FedEx International and DHL Express, but USPS and UPS won't accept alcohol internationally. The bigger challenge is destination customs: most countries levy heavy excise duties (often 100-300% of retail) on imported alcohol, even small quantities.
Allowed via Selectido for legitimate use cases (gifts, collector bottles, replacement for damaged shipments). We declare under HS Chapter 22 with the correct alcohol-by-volume and full bottle count.
- Cost rarely makes sense: A $30 US bottle often costs $80-120 landed after duties.
- Saudi Arabia + UAE: Alcohol is illegal. Cannot ship under any circumstances.
- India + Pakistan: Restricted to licensed importers only.
- Most Latin America + Asia: Allowed but with heavy duty (100%+). Plan accordingly.
- EU + Canada + Australia: Allowed, moderate duty (30-80%).
What ships and what doesn't
Sealed packaged food ships fine — Trader Joe's snacks, US candy/chocolate, hot sauces, cereal, cookies, jerky in sealed packaging, baking mixes. The Pumpkin Spice + Everything But the Bagel + American cereals haul is one of our most-requested categories.
We declare under HS Chapter 19-21 depending on the food type with full ingredient lists. Standard customs clearance applies.
- Fresh meat, fish, dairy: Almost universally prohibited internationally due to biosecurity rules.
- Fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds: Banned in most countries (Australia, NZ especially strict).
- Beef jerky to Australia/NZ: Banned due to mad cow / biosecurity. Vegan jerky is fine.
- Honey to EU/Canada: Restricted in some cases — varies by source.
- Frozen foods: Generally not viable due to transit time.
What ships and what doesn't
Over-the-counter medications (Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, Sudafed, basic cold remedies) ship internationally without major issues to most countries — personal-use quantities only. Prescription medications are restricted in most countries and we cannot facilitate shipment without proper documentation.
We declare OTC drugs under HS code 3004 with full active ingredient and dosage info. Some countries (Japan, Saudi Arabia, UAE) restrict even OTC drugs that contain pseudoephedrine, codeine, or similar.
- Japan: Restricts pseudoephedrine, codeine, and most stimulants. Sudafed cannot ship.
- Saudi Arabia + UAE: Restrict any product containing controlled substances or CBD.
- Most countries: 90-day personal supply max for OTC.
- Prescription drugs: We don't ship without verified prescription from destination country. Consult your local pharmacy.
- Medical devices (CPAP, glucose monitors, inhalers): Usually fine. We can advise.
What ships and what doesn't
Lithium batteries are one of the most regulated shipping categories due to fire risk. The rules differ dramatically based on whether the battery is installed in a device vs shipped loose, and on the battery's watt-hour rating.
We label every battery shipment with the correct UN 3480 (loose) or UN 3481 (in device) classification and follow IATA Lithium Battery guidelines.
- Installed in device, <100Wh: Standard shipping. iPhones, laptops, most consumer goods.
- Installed in device, 100-160Wh: Ground or specialized air freight only. Some MacBook Pros, Quest VR.
- Installed in device, >160Wh: Cannot ship by passenger aircraft. Land/sea only.
- Loose batteries / power banks: USPS won't accept internationally. UPS/FedEx/DHL accept with hazmat label.
- Phone with battery installed (turned off): Always OK, treated as standard electronics.
Whatever the item — the box still matters.
Even when an item ships freely, the carrier bills by box size (dimensional weight). Repacking to true dimensions before forwarding cuts the bill significantly. Free on every Selectido parcel, regardless of category.
Big box, small bill. We shrink it down.
Sample save: a 21×16×13 Sephora skincare box, repacked to 11×8×7. FedEx International drops from ~$140 to ~$54.
Questions, answered
Can you ship baby formula internationally?
Yes, most US-made baby formulas (Similac, Enfamil, Gerber, Earth's Best) ship internationally via Selectido with proper customs declarations. Restrictions: some countries require import permits for infant nutrition (Australia, New Zealand). Powder formula is preferred over liquid for shipping. We declare it as "infant formula powder" with HS code 1901.10.
Can you ship electronics internationally?
Yes, most consumer electronics ship internationally via Selectido — phones, laptops, tablets, gaming consoles, AirPods. Restrictions vary: lithium batteries over 100Wh require special carrier handling (Quest VR, large MacBook batteries). Devices must use the destination country's plug standard or come with travel adapters. We declare under HS codes 8517-8528 with full serial numbers for warranty validation.
Can you ship perfume internationally?
Yes via ground carriers only — perfume is classified as a flammable liquid (alcohol content) and cannot ship via standard air mail. FedEx, UPS, and DHL accept perfume with proper dangerous-goods labeling and a $25 hazmat handling fee. USPS does not accept perfume internationally. We label all perfume shipments correctly under IATA Class 3 (flammable liquids) so they clear customs without delays.
Can you ship skincare internationally?
Yes, US skincare ships internationally without restrictions in most cases. Cosmetics, moisturizers, serums, retinol products, and SPF all clear customs as standard merchandise under HS code 3304. The only exceptions are products with high alcohol content (toners, some essences) which fall under the same flammable liquid rules as perfume.