DDP vs DDU — pick wisely
DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid) means the customer pays duties at delivery. It's cheap to ship but kills conversion: half of DDU packages get refused or returned because the customer didn't expect a surprise bill.
DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) bundles duties and taxes into checkout. The customer pays a clear total, the package sails through customs, and your refund rate plummets. For most SMBs, DDP is the right default.
HS codes are not optional
Every product needs a Harmonized System code — a 6-to-10 digit classification customs uses to assess duty. Wrong codes cause delays, fines, or seized shipments. Our team classifies your SKUs once, and we apply the correct code automatically on every export.
Country-by-country gotchas
- EU — IOSS registration removes VAT friction on orders under €150.
- UK — Post-Brexit VAT applies on every order. Register or use a partner who handles it.
- Canada — De minimis is low ($20 CAD). DDP is essentially required.
- Australia — GST applies on all imports. Health & wellness products often need TGA review.
- Mexico/LATAM — Long customs hold times; pick a carrier with strong local clearance.
Restricted items — check first, list second
Supplements, CBD, cosmetics, lithium batteries, food, and aerosols all have country-specific restrictions. Before you enable a country at checkout, confirm your products are allowed. Several of our wellness brand partners have learned this the hard way.
How Forge makes international simple
We ship to 200+ countries from our Lehi, Utah facility using DHL, UPS Worldwide, FedEx International, and USPS International. Our system generates commercial invoices, customs declarations, and CN22/CN23 forms automatically. You don't touch paperwork — we just hand the package to the right carrier with everything customs needs.
Want to expand internationally without the operational headache? Talk to our team or see our international shipping service.
Why a Utah 3PL for international
Salt Lake City International Airport offers direct air freight links to major DHL and FedEx hubs, meaning packages depart Lehi and clear major international gateways within 24 hours. Combined with our negotiated rates, that gets your global customers their order faster than most competitors who ship from coastal hubs.
Why Utah SMBs choose Forge Logistics
Family-owned, Lehi-based, and obsessed with helping growing brands ship smarter. We combine enterprise-grade carrier rates with the personal service only a local partner can deliver — so you can focus on selling, not shipping.
- 15–25% average shipping savings
- Same-day pick & pack accuracy 99%+
- Centrally located in Lehi, Utah
- No long-term contracts