Properly prepare the import
Product description, value of goods, origin and customs tariff number provide the basis for US clearance.
Dropshipping to the USA
Supplying US customers. Customs & shipping under control.
Access the US market with direct shipping from Germany. Paket International integrates carrier selection, shipping documents, DDP/DAP, and tracking into a seamless process – all from within your existing shipping infrastructure.
2–7 days possible*Depending on service and destination address
Delivery in the USASuitable service for the last mile
DDP or DAPControl import costs deliberately
Shop & APIOrders accepted digitally
*Estimated delivery time for selected services. Destination region, type of goods, shipping date and customs clearance affect the actual delivery time.
E-commerce across the Atlantic
US dropshipping begins with a complete shipping process.
When selling to the USA, in addition to shipping costs, import fees, product data, and a transparent delivery experience are also important. Clarifying these points before the first order allows for better automation of shipping.
Calculate total costs
Transportation, any applicable customs duties and handling fees should be included in your calculations. Sales tax will be checked separately.
Design the delivery experience
Choose a service that matches the shopping cart, delivery address, and expectations of your US customers.
Your USA shipping in four steps
From order placement to delivery in the USA.
Link order data with the necessary shipping and product information. This way, teams don't have to re-enter the same information for every shipment.
1
Accept order
The order originates from your shop, ERP system, or marketplace and enters the shipping process.
2
Add shipping details
Article information, recipient address and delivery conditions are combined.
3
Transport & Import
Labels and documents are prepared; export and US import are processed.
4
Delivering to customers
The shipment has reached its US destination address. Tracking makes its journey traceable.
Important for your US checkout
Take US import costs into account from the outset
For sales to the USA, an updated calculation is required. The previous $800 limit is no longer suitable as a general basis for duty-free B2C shipments.
$800former de minimis limit
Even small shopping baskets require import calculations.
The previous blanket de minimis exemption for commercial shipments up to US$800 has been suspended since August 29, 2025. A low value of goods therefore does not automatically entitle the shipment to customs exemption.
The applicable duties depend, among other things, on the product, customs tariff number, origin of goods and the regulations in force at the time of import.
For your calculations: Consider the actual origin of the goods, any additional customs duties, and fees for the chosen service. Shipping from Germany does not automatically mean the goods originate in Germany.
Rule status: October 2, 2026. Official regulation on the de minimis suspension ↗
Choose delivery terms carefully
DDP or DAP: How do import costs reach the customer?
The delivery terms determine who organizes and pays for the import. For your US shop, this decision should align with pricing, checkout, and customer communication.
DDP
With DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), the seller is responsible for import clearance and any applicable import duties. The importer and invoicing model is agreed upon with the chosen service before shipment.
- Import duties on the seller's side
- Include import costs in the sales price.
- Delivery without separate import cost charge to the buyer
- Define importer and documents in advance
DAP
With DAP (Delivered at Place), the seller organizes the transport to the agreed destination. The buyer handles the import clearance and any applicable import duties.
- Buyer assumes import duties
- Carriers may charge handling fees.
- Additional payment possible before delivery
- Explain the cost distribution during the purchase transparently
Delivery to the US recipient
Plan international transport and last mile together
The USA is a large shipping market with diverse target regions. Therefore, the right service takes into account delivery time, coverage, delivery address, and any potential surcharges.
Ships from Germany. Arrives in the USA.
Your goods can be shipped directly to US customers from your existing warehouse or an agreed shipping location in Germany. A dedicated US warehouse is not required for this direct shipping model.
- Use existing shipping location
- Select service based on target region and product type
- International and US delivery combined
- Track shipment progress via tracking
Tax planning for US sales
Sales tax belongs in your sales model.
The US does not have a nationwide sales tax model like the UK VAT system. Sales and use tax rules vary by state and sometimes by local jurisdiction.
Foreign retailers can also trigger registration obligations through sales or a physical presence. Have your target markets checked to determine if a tax nexus exists and who levies the tax on sales from your shop or marketplace.
- Consider target countries and sales
- Have a possible Nexus checked
- Shop and Marketplace differ
- Calculate sales tax and customs duties separately.
- Clarify tax obligations professionally
DDP does not replace a sales tax audit: A solution for import duties does not automatically cover the tax obligations upon sale.
Goods and import data
Passing through the US customs process with complete data
A smooth process begins with reliable product information. We coordinate the data and documents required for your shipment with the agreed-upon model. If necessary, this also includes a German export declaration.
Commercial invoice & goods details
The exact item description, quantity, realistic value of goods and country of origin form the basis of the documents.
Customs tariff number & origin
The US classification in the HTS and the actual origin of the goods, together with the current rules, determine the duties.
Importer & Responsibilities
Define in advance who will act as the Importer of Record and what importer data or authorizations the service requires.
Review product requirements early: For regulated consumer products, CPSC certificates and electronic eFiling may be required. The applicable documentation must be provided before import.
Less manual shipping work
Ship US orders from your shop
Utilize the existing order, item, and recipient data from your systems. Depending on the connection, shipping labels, documents, and tracking can be integrated into your existing processes.
Use order data
Process orders from your shop, marketplace, or ERP system via the appropriate integration.
Shipping & Customs combined
Combine the required product data with shipping service and delivery conditions.
Provide tracking
Transfer tracking numbers and status back to your system, depending on the connection.
For dealers with US customers
Start with direct shipping. Grow with your business.
Whether you are entering the US market for the first time or shipping regular orders: A clear shipping process helps you to tap into additional sales opportunities from your existing structure.
Online Shops
Deliver to US buyers from Germany and integrate shipping into your shop process.
Brands & Manufacturers
Sell directly to US end customers and check the appropriate import process for your product range.
Growing retailers
Standardize data and shipping processes to better handle increasing order volumes.
Questions about direct shipping to the USA
FAQ: Dropshipping, customs and delivery in the USA
How fast is a shipment from Germany to the USA?
For selected services, delivery times are approximately 2–7 days. The delivery address, shipping date, type of goods, and customs clearance time all affect the delivery time. The specific service details will be checked during the selection process.
Can I supply US customers without having my own warehouse in the USA?
Yes. For the described direct shipping model, orders from Germany are sent to US recipients. However, the necessary importer information and product requirements must still be clarified beforehand.
Are orders under $800 automatically duty-free?
No. The previous de minimis exemption has been suspended since August 29, 2025. Whether and which duties apply depends, among other things, on the goods, their origin, and the current import regulations.
What costs should be included in my US shipping calculation?
Take into account transport, any applicable customs duties and additional charges, as well as handling and service fees. The calculation requires accurate product information. Any sales tax obligations upon sale are considered separately.
Which delivery terms are suitable for my US shop?
DDP places import clearance and duties on the seller's side, allowing for a corresponding final price calculation. With DAP, the buyer is responsible for import duties. The decision depends on the chosen shipping service and your sales model.
As a German retailer, do I have to charge US sales tax?
This depends on the rules of the respective target countries and your sales model. Sales, physical presence, and marketplace usage can all play a role. The specific registration and reporting requirements should be reviewed by your tax advisor.
Who is the Importer of Record for US imports?
The Importer of Record is the party responsible for the import declaration and compliance with import requirements. Who assumes this role depends on the specific transaction and the import model. DDP alone does not automatically determine this person.
What product documentation is required for shipping to the US?
The requirements depend on the product. For regulated consumer products, CPSC certificates and eFiling may be required. Before your first shipment, check which documentation is required for your product range and specific import regulations.
Can the shipping be integrated with Shopify, Shopware, or ERP?
Depending on the system, an integration or API connection is available. Together, we'll examine which data can be transferred and how shipping labels, documents, and tracking can be integrated into your process.
How do I plan returns from the USA?
Determine the return destination, who bears the costs, and which documents are required. For returns to Germany, the appropriate customs procedure must be checked. The returns process is tailored to the type of goods and the shipping method.
Your next step into the US market
Reach more US customers. Consider shipping processes.
We'll work with you to check carriers, transit times, DDP/DAP, product and import data, and the appropriate integration. From this, we'll create a shipping setup for your orders from the USA.