Formatting Order Information When Shipping to US Territories
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|Different shipping carriers require packages going to US territories (like Puerto Rico) to follow certain address formats and include varying order information in order to get shipping rate quotes and/or create shipping labels. In many cases, you'll need to fill out customs declarations, even though the carrier considers the shipment Domestic.
Below, you'll find the requirements for the USPS, FedEx & UPS as well as a list of the two-character abbreviations for the US territories.
USPS
The USPS requires shippers to use the two-character abbreviation for the state/region with the United States as the country.
With USPS, you will need to ship with a Domestic Service for US Territories.
Customs are also required when shipping to Micronesia with USPS.
Note
For USPS shipments going to Puerto Rico Highway Contract Routes, the correct address line information follows this format "HC 1 BOX 18" --please eliminate additional designations, such as names of sectors.
FedEx & UPS
FedEx and UPS generally require the two-character abbreviation for the state/region and the full territory name for the country.
With FedEx & UPS, you will need to ship with an International Service with Customs information for US Territories.
Note
You'll be shown international shipping services for UPS and FedEx shipments going to Puerto Rico; however, you will still be charged a domestic rate. This means that you will need to declare customs values for your order items as well.
US Territories and Their Abbreviations
Here’s a list of all current US territories and their corresponding abbreviations:
- American Samoa (AS)
- Federated States of Micronesia (FM)
- Guam (GU)
- Marshall Islands (MH)
- Northern Mariana Islands (MP)
- Puerto Rico (PR)
- U.S. Virgin Islands (VI)
- U.S. Minor Outlying Islands (UM): Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Islands, Palmyra Atoll, Navassa Island, Wake Island