Can I ship vitamins internationally?
Whether you can send vitamins and supplements internationally is a hot topic in the shipping world. Many online sellers (especially shippers) ask it sometimes. The problem is, the answer doesn’t seem very clear. Some resources say you can; some say you can’t. So, we’re here to get the facts straight!
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You can ship vitamins internationally via any major carrier in the U.S.
First thing first: None of the major carriers in the US restrict you from shipping vitamins and supplements overseas. Vitamins and supplements do not contain any harmful substances, and for the most part, there is nothing that makes the primary carrier consider them dangerous or controlled. This is very different from shipping prescription drugs, as you often simply cannot send these types of shipments to international destinations (unless you are a DEA registered dealer).
However, just because a carrier allows you to ship vitamins internationally does not mean that every country allows these types of shipments in. After all, tango requires two people!
Check the restrictions in the destination country to make sure they allow the import of vitamins
While major carriers won’t restrict you, the countries you plan to ship your vitamins to may not accept these shipments at all. Therefore, you should always double-check the individual country listings on the USPS website. Here, you’ll see import restrictions for each country, and you’ll also find out if you need to include certain licenses, labels, or paperwork with your shipment.
Some countries require certain paperwork to import vitamins and supplements
Speaking of paperwork: if your destination country Do Imported vitamins and supplements are permitted, some of which you may need to include in your shipment. It’s difficult for us to list what you need here, as the situation varies from country to country. However, if you can’t find anything on the USPS individual country list we linked above, a quick Google search using “ship vitamins to (insert country name here)” will return the results you’re looking for.
Sticking to domestic destinations may be the easiest path for your business
At the end of the day, shipping vitamins overseas can be more of a headache than a worthwhile undertaking. Therefore, choosing the path of least resistance may be the best option for your online business. By this we mean completely avoiding shipping vitamins internationally. However, if you do, you should be prepared for an uphill battle with the customs department of your destination country.
On the other hand, sending vitamins and supplements within the US is as easy as putting the bottle in the box and buying the label! If you insist on shipping your vitamins at domestic destinations, you won’t be bound by regulations and won’t have to deal with strict customs departments.
