Sending a package to Puerto Rico: Customs, IVU and shipping 2026
From Germany to San Juan, Ponce or Mayagüez: Properly understand US customs regulations and local taxes
Puerto Rico is located in the Caribbean and is politically part of the United States. This is particularly important from a customs perspective: Puerto Rico is part of the US customs territory. Therefore, goods from Germany are generally subject to US import and customs regulations.
- Shipping from Germany to Puerto Rico
- Parcel, express and freight solutions
- Shipping to San Juan, Ponce and Mayagüez
- Take into account US Customs and local IVU
- Use a 10-digit HTSUS code
- Check 11,5% IVU on imports
- Please observe the pDDP rules for DHL Parcel.
- Check US import regulations for each item.
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Puerto Rico combines US customs law with its own import tax system.
When shipping to Puerto Rico, it is not enough to simply check a normal US customs rate.
Businesses must consider US customs regulations, potential product-related import requirements, and the local Puerto Rican IVU together.
Comply with US customs law
Puerto Rico is part of the United States customs territory. Therefore, goods from Germany are generally subject to the same US customs classifications and import regulations as goods imported into the American mainland.
Comply with US customs law
Puerto Rico is part of the United States customs territory. Therefore, goods from Germany are generally subject to the same US customs classifications and import regulations as goods imported into the American mainland.
New parcel rules will apply in 2026.
For DHL business parcel shipments to Puerto Rico, a 10-digit US HTSUS code is required for each item since July 24, 2026. For shipments with a merchandise value up to and including USD 2.500, the pDDP service is mandatory.
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Important information about customs and import duties
DAP or DDP to Puerto Rico: Consider two levels of import costs
When shipping to Puerto Rico, it should be clarified before booking who will handle customs, local taxes and any handling fees.
For DAP The seller organizes the transport to the agreed destination.
Import clearance and the agreed import costs are generally the responsibility of the recipient.
This can include:
- US import duty
- Possibly additional US tariffs
- Puerto Rican IVU
- product-specific government fees
- Brokerage fees
- Carrier handling fees
For DDP The seller assumes further obligations and agreed import costs, provided that the carrier and specific import structure allow this.
Especially in Puerto Rico, a DDP calculation should at least take the following into account:
- 10-digit HTSUS code
- Country of origin
- cart value
- current US tariff rate
- possible additional US taxes
- local IVU
- Product-specific import requirements
- Broker and carrier fees
Therefore, for retailers, simply calculating the transport price does not constitute a complete landed cost calculation.
For more information, please visit guaranteed Landed Costs in international trade.
What is the import duty in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico does not use its own separate customs tariff.
Since the island belongs to the US customs territory, the following applies:
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, HTSUS.
The specific customs duty depends on several factors, including:
- 10-digit HTSUS code
- Type of goods
- Country of origin
- Customs value
- current US additional measures
- possible product-specific special duties
Therefore, there is no flat-rate import duty for goods from Germany.
No general EU-US tariff preference
There is currently no classic free trade agreement between the European Union and the United States with general preferential treatment for products originating in Germany.
Therefore, an EUR.1 certificate does not automatically result in a reduced US import duty for a normal shipment to Puerto Rico.
The decisive factors are the HTSUS code, the actual country of origin, and the US customs measures in effect at the time of import.
What is the import tax in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico has its own system of sales and use taxes:
Impuesto sobre Ventas y Uso, IVU for short.
For taxable movable goods imported into Puerto Rico for use or consumption, the total VAT is generally:
11,5%.
This consists of:
- 10,5% state-owned IVU
- 1% municipal IVU
However, certain products may be exempt from tax.
Goods intended for resale or specific industrial applications may also be treated differently depending on the tax regulations.
Therefore, the IVU should not be added to every shipment as a flat rate.
Regular import IVU: 11,5%
CBP and SURI: Two systems intertwine in Puerto Rico
Importing to Puerto Rico has a unique feature that traders in many other countries do not have.
At the federal level, the following regulations apply:
US Customs and Border Protection, CBP.
This includes, among other things:
- Customs classification
- HTSUS
- US import tariffs
- Import restrictions
- Controls by participating US authorities
Additionally, Puerto Rico has its own local tax procedure for:
Sistema Unificado de Rentas Internas, SURI.
SURI will cover topics including:
- Import declarations
- IVU on imports
- monthly import tax returns
- Dealer registrations
- Import clearances
electronically managed.
This practically means:
A shipment can be correctly cleared under US customs law and still trigger Puerto Rican tax obligations.
Sending a package to Puerto Rico: What companies should know by 2026
Puerto Rico is a special case when it comes to international shipping.
The island is located in the Caribbean, but belongs to the customs territory of the United States.
The most important economic and logistics locations include:
- San Juan
- Carolina
- Bayamon
- Ponce
- Mayaguez
- Arecibo
- caguas
For smaller goods, international parcel and express services are available.
Air and sea freight play an important role in the transport of machinery, pallets, and larger quantities of goods.
What documents do I need for Puerto Rico?
For a commercial delivery of goods from Germany, the following information and/or documents should typically be prepared:
- Commercial Invoices
- Packing list for multiple packages or goods items
- Air Waybill or Bill of Lading
- precise English product description
- 10-digit HTSUS code
- cart value
- Country of origin per item
- complete recipient details
- Additional product documentation may be required.
- Documents for relevant US authorities, if applicable
Since July 2026, the 10-digit HTSUS code has been particularly important for DHL parcel business customer shipping.
In addition, DHL still requires the country of origin for each item and a clear description of the goods.
What has changed regarding shipping to Puerto Rico in 2026?
The following applies to business customers since [date]. July 24, 2026 New rules for postal shipping with DHL Paket to the USA and Puerto Rico.
Key changes include:
- 10-digit HTSUS code for each item of goods
- pDDP up to and including USD 2.500 merchandise value
- Commercial customs duties depend on the goods
- full origin information
- more precise product data
For goods valued up to and including USD 2.500, pDDP is generally mandatory with this DHL parcel procedure.
pDDP is not available for shipments above USD 2.500. In such cases, the applicable duties are generally paid by the recipient or through the designated import procedure.
What additional changes will occur from October 2026?
For certain goods, the following applies from [date] 22 October 2026 Additional data and document requirements.
DHL, for example, mentions:
- Aluminium products
- Steel products
- car parts
- Textiles
- Children's toys
For such products, additional security certificates, product-specific US data, or information for participating partner government agencies may be required.
Companies with regular US or Puerto Rico shipments should therefore prepare this data in their product master data.
Is the $800 duty-free allowance still in effect?
Commercial imports should no longer be calculated using the previous general $800 de minimis rule.
The US suspended duty-free de minimis treatment for commercial imports from all countries as early as 2025.
Therefore, DHL parcel shipments are now subject to a separate postal customs clearance procedure.
Private gift shipments are to be distinguished from this.
DHL currently still allows private shipments clearly declared as gifts with a maximum merchandise value of:
100 US Dollars
under the stipulated conditions.
This gift rule is explicitly not a suitable basis for a German online shop or a normal B2B invoice.
Do I need a EUR.1 for Puerto Rico?
No, for normal German goods exports, an EUR.1 certificate does not bring a general tariff preference.
Puerto Rico is part of the US customs territory, and there is currently no classic free trade agreement with a general EUR.1 preference between the European Union and the United States.
The amount of customs duty depends primarily on the HTSUS code, the value of the goods, the country of origin, and currently applicable US customs measures.
How long does it take for a package to arrive in Puerto Rico?
DHL Parcel currently specifies a standard delivery time estimate of:
more than 16 working days.
The storage period is currently 60 days.
Express shipments can reach key regions like San Juan significantly faster.
The actual runtime also depends on:
- Carrier
- Customs clearance
- Type of goods
- additional US regulatory requirements
- Completeness of customs data
What language should the customs declaration be in?
DHL lists the following for Puerto Rico:
English.
The product description should be as precise as possible.
Not:
“Medical Parts”
but for example:
“Stainless steel mounting bracket for laboratory centrifuge”
The material, product, and intended use should be as directly identifiable as possible.
Write the address for Puerto Rico correctly
Puerto Rico uses the US postal code and address system.
One possible format is:
PR INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS INC.
125 AVE PONCE DE LEÓN STE 400
SAN JUAN PR 00918
PUERTO RICO
The abbreviation PR It should be used together with the correct ZIP code.
Additionally, the recipient's phone number and email address should be provided.
These errors are delaying shipments to Puerto Rico
Many problems arise because Puerto Rico is treated either as a separate customs territory or simply as an ordinary US state.
Both of these approaches fall short when it comes to international goods deliveries.
Typical errors are:
- Only a 6-digit HS code is specified instead of the required HTSUS code.
- Country of origin is missing for some product items.
- The product description is too general.
- US Customs and Puerto Rican IVU are being confused.
- The old $800 de minimis rules will continue to be used.
- pDDP request overlooked at DHL Parcel
- FDA, CPSC or other US regulatory requirements are not checked.
- The commercial invoice and electronic product data do not match.
- Local import tax obligations were not taken into account.
- Recipient information is incomplete
For regular shipments, the HTSUS code, country of origin, and precise English product description should therefore be stored directly in the item master data.
For more information about US Customs, please visit Customs fees for shipments to the USA.
What goods are shipped from Germany to Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico has an unusually strong industrial base for a Caribbean island.
The pharmaceutical industry, medical technology, life sciences, electronics and modern manufacturing are particularly important.
For German companies, the following goods, for example, may therefore be of interest:
- Machines and production facilities
- Machine spare parts
- Pharmaceutical and laboratory technology
- medical devices and components
- Automation and control technology
- Electrical Engineering
- Measurement and testing technology
- IT and communication technology
- Packaging and production technology
- Refrigeration and air conditioning technology
- industrial tools and spare parts
Puerto Rico is a particularly important location for pharmaceuticals and medical products.
This means that, in addition to normal customs duties, product-specific regulations from US authorities may also be relevant for certain goods.
HTSUS instead of just a 6-digit HS code
For many current shipping processes for US imports, a general six-digit HS code is no longer sufficient.
For DHL Parcel, a fee of one per item has been charged since July 24, 2026:
10-digit US HTSUS code
demands.
Especially for recurring items, this should therefore be maintained directly in the product or item master data.
Shipping information: Puerto Rico
Standard, express, or freight to Puerto Rico.
Which shipping method makes sense depends primarily on the value, size, and urgency of the goods.
Standard package
DHL Parcel currently specifies a delivery time estimate of more than 16 working days.
However, for business shipments, the new US customs requirements, including HTSUS and pDDP, have applied since July 2026.
Express Shipping
For urgent spare parts, laboratory equipment or high-quality industrial goods, a commercial express service can be significantly faster.
Express shipments use a different commercial customs clearance structure than the standard DHL parcel postal process.
Freight shipping
Air and sea freight are suitable options for pallets, production facilities and larger quantities of goods.
Temperature-controlled transport solutions can also be relevant, especially for the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors.
San Juan is the most important logistics hub in Puerto Rico
For larger shipments of goods, Puerto Rico has a well-developed sea and air freight infrastructure.
The most important freight ports include:
- Port of San Juan
- Port of Ponce
- Port of Mayagüez
The port of San Juan has 16 berths and, among other things, large container and RoRo capacities.
The following airports are particularly relevant for air freight:
- Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport near San Juan
- Rafael Hernández International Airport in Aguadilla
- Mercedita International Airport in Ponce
Due to the strong pharmaceutical and medical technology industries, air freight plays a particularly important role for high-value and temperature-sensitive goods.
For more information on larger shipments, please see international freight shipping.
What import costs might arise in Puerto Rico?
For goods from Germany, various cost levels can come together.
Depending on the program, this includes:
- US import duty
- possible additional US tariffs
- 11,5% Puerto Rican VAT on taxable goods
- Product-specific taxes may apply.
- Brokerage fees
- Carrier handling fees
US customs duties are based on the current HTSUS code, the value of the goods, and their origin.
The local IVU (Integrated Unit of Operation) must be considered separately.
This means that, for example, a product can trigger a certain US customs duty and also be subject to Puerto Rican usage tax.
How much does a package to Puerto Rico cost?
The transport price depends in particular on:
- Weight
- Dimensions
- Volumetric weight
- Carrier
- Standard or express shipping
- cart value
- Type of goods
- Additional Services
Since the new US customs rules of 2026, potential customs duties and pDDP costs must be more strongly included in shipping calculations.
Especially with higher-value goods, comparing several carriers can be very worthwhile.
You can find out more at Multi-carrier shipping for international business shipments.
Online trade to Puerto Rico: The old $800 duty-free allowance no longer applies.
For online retailers, shipping to Puerto Rico has changed significantly.
The previous general de minimis treatment of commercial US imports up to $800 has been abolished.
New postal rules now apply to DHL business parcel shipments.
The following applies since July 24, 2026:
- 10-digit HTSUS code for each item of goods
- pDDP up to and including USD 2.500 merchandise value
- Commercial customs calculation based on the goods
- Country of origin required for each item
For shipments up to and including USD 2.500, retailers should therefore already take import duties into account when setting prices.
For more information, please visit Display landed costs at checkout.
Private gifts are a different category.
Gifts sent privately to private individuals may still be permitted via postal service up to a value of US$100.
For this to apply, the shipment must actually be considered a gift and correctly declared as such. Gift be declared.
A normal online shop order therefore cannot simply be registered as a gift.
Additional product data available from October 2026
For certain product categories, additional US-specific data or documents will be required from October 22, 2026.
This applies, for example, to certain:
- Steel and aluminum products
- car parts
- Textiles
- children's toys
- Goods were involved with the participation of other US authorities.
Online retailers should therefore not wait until after receiving an order to research this information.
Puerto Rico has two import levels: US Customs and Hacienda.
The most important feature can be summarized in one sentence:
Puerto Rico is part of the US customs territory, but also has its own local tax system.
This results in two separate audits for German companies.
Level 1: US Imports
- HTSUS code
- US import duty
- Country of origin
- CBP rules
- FDA, CPSC or other regulatory authorities
Level 2: Puerto Rico
- IVI
- SURI
- local import declaration
- Import clearance may be required
This makes Puerto Rico significantly more complex from a customs and tax perspective than a typical shipment within the USA.
For retailers with recurring shipments, structured maintenance of customs tariff number, country of origin and landed costs is therefore particularly worthwhile.
Which carrier is suitable for Puerto Rico?
For shipments from Germany to Puerto Rico, various parcel, express and freight providers are available.
Depending on the broadcast, the following can be used, for example:
- DHL package
- DHL Express
- UPS
- FedEx
- international air freight partners
- Sea freight and forwarding partner
When making a comparison, one should not only consider the transport price.
When evaluating solutions, organisations should ensure that the system provides:
- Runtime
- Type of customs clearance
- DDP or DAP option
- Brokerage fees
- Tracking
- Insurance
- maximum dimensions and weights
- product-specific US requirements
Especially since the customs changes in 2026, the same value of goods can lead to different processes with a postal parcel service and a commercial express service.
Frequently Asked Questions about Shipping
Can I send a package from Germany to Puerto Rico?
Yes. Puerto Rico is part of the United States customs territory. Therefore, goods from Germany must generally be imported according to US customs law. Additionally, local Puerto Rican taxes and import formalities may apply.
Is Puerto Rico part of the US customs territory?
Yes. The US customs territory includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Therefore, US customs regulations generally apply to imports from Germany.
How long does it take for a package to arrive in Puerto Rico?
DHL Parcel currently quotes a delivery time estimate of more than 16 working days. Storage is permitted for 60 days. Express services can reach central regions significantly faster.
What is the sales tax rate in Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico levies a sales tax (Impuesto sobre Ventas y Uso, or IVU) instead of a traditional European value-added tax. The total IVU for taxable imported goods is generally 11,5 percent.
What is the import duty in Puerto Rico?
Customs duties are determined according to the US HTSUS code, the value of the goods, the country of origin, and current US customs regulations. There is no uniform, flat-rate customs duty for German goods.
Do I need a EUR.1 for Puerto Rico?
For ordinary German exports to Puerto Rico, there is no general customs preference via an EUR.1 certificate. Puerto Rico is part of the US customs territory, and the EU currently has no generally applicable classic preferential trade agreement with the USA.
What customs tariff number do I need for Puerto Rico?
For current DHL business parcel shipments, a 10-digit US HTSUS code is required for each item since July 24, 2026. Additionally, the country of origin and a description of the goods must be correctly stated.
Is the $800 duty-free allowance still in effect?
Commercial imports should no longer be calculated using the previous general $800 de minimis rule. Duty-free de minimis treatment for commercial imports was suspended in 2025. New customs procedures now apply to business mail shipments.
What does pDDP mean when shipping to Puerto Rico?
For DHL business customer parcel shipments, pDDP (delivered duty paid) has been mandatory for shipments up to and including US$2.500 since July 24, 2026. The calculated import duties are handled by the sender.
What is SURI in Puerto Rico?
SURI is the electronic tax system of the Departamento de Hacienda. It handles import declarations, IVU payments, dealer registrations, and other tax-related processes.
What language should the customs declaration be in?
DHL specifies English as an acceptable language for the customs declaration to Puerto Rico. The product, material, and intended use should be described as clearly as possible.
What documents do I need for Puerto Rico?
Typically, a commercial invoice, shipping documents, a precise description of goods, the HTSUS code, the value of the goods, and the country of origin are required. Depending on the goods, a packing list and documents or permits for US authorities may also be necessary.
