Pack n Send Blog

International shipping from Houston to Portugal doesn't have to be confusing or uncertain. If you're preparing a package to send to Portugal here are a few fast facts about the shipment allowances and restrictions in that country that you need to know. The following information is applicable to both personal and business items that you may be preparing for shipping! Follow these guidelines, which also apply to packages shipped to the Azores and Madeira Islands located off the coast of Portugal, and you can rest assured that your package will arrive in a safe and timely fashion - exactly as you intended it to!

1) Prohibited Items: there are several items that are completely prohibited and therefore illegal to ship into Portugal or the surrounding islands. Make sure your package is free of anything on the following list to ensure safe arrival. The list of items prohibited by the Portuguese authorities, as outlined by the US Postal Service, are:

• All firearms and weapons.
• Cigarette lighters and refills containing butane gas.
• Coins; banknotes; traveler's checks; currency notes and securities.
• Platinum, gold, or silver, precious stones and jewelry.
• Human remains.
• Live plants and animals.
• Lottery tickets or advertisements for lottery tickets.
• Tobacco.

2) Shipping Restrictions: in addition to the list of prohibited items, Portugal does have some important shipping restrictions that may apply to your permitted items. Make sure to carefully read the following restrictions to see if you need to modify your package or obtain additional permissions or authorizations for your shipment. Restrictions to be aware of include:

• Import permits must be obtained for commercial shipments (i.e. anything to be used for business purposes).
• All medicines and hospital supplies will require the authorization of the Director General of Health of Portugal.

3) General Protocol: Finally, before sending your package, make sure it's in accordance with these general packaging guidelines to make transit as smooth as possible! While many of these guidelines are common sense it's best to read through them and make sure you're in compliance to ensure the safe arrival of your shipment.

• A parcel may be addressed to a street address or to a post office box.
• A local telephone number for the addressee must be provided.
• For parcels: a duplicate invoice is required for all commercial shipments and all personal shipments valued at $300 or more.
• The invoices must be affixed to the outside of the parcel or may be enclosed in PS Form 2976-E with the customs declaration.

Contact us to arrange all the  details when you are  shipping internationally to Portugal. We look forward to helping you make sure that everything is accurate and that your package arrives safely!