Important: When preparing your international mail, the most important consideration is the contents. Be sure to read USPS Service Alerts and check the content and service restrictions in certain countries.
International Shipping
How to send international packages and letters
Learn How to Send Packages and Letters Internationlly
To find out Country Codes view this PDF
Letter
Find out how to send U.S. Postal Service (USPS) international mail through UCSD Mail Services and recharge the cost to your department index.
Choose from this list of available international services:
Expedited services
Standard services
Business services
Questions about international rates? See USPS International Rate Calculator
By completing a Logistics Request Form, UCSD Risk Management covers your item through its transit insurance programs.
A customs form is required if your mail contains items other than documents or weighs more than 16 ounces
- For documents that weigh more than 16 ounces, obtain and fill out the required customs form.
Complete the Logistics Customer Supplies (PDF).
Note: Most items will be delivered to you within 24 hours.
- Use all capital letters.
- Type or legibly write the address in English.
- Use no more than 5 lines including:
- Addressee's name
- Street address or P.O. box number (USPS International Mail will ship to P.O. boxes.)
- City or town, principal subdivision such as province, state, or county, and postal code. In some countries, the postal code may precede the city or town.
- Country name
- Sender's name
- Department and phone number
- University of California, San Diego
- 9500 Gilman Dr. plus Mail Code
- La Jolla, CA 92093 plus Mail Code
Important: If your item requires a customs form, the return address on your item and on the customs form must be identical.
- List the following information in the top right corner:
- Delivery service desired
- Project, Task, and Funding Source to be recharged
- Attach your return address label to the top left corner.
- Attach your recipient address label in the center.
- If your item requires a customs form, attach the customs form to the bottom, left corner.
- Reminder: A customs form doesn't replace your address label.
- Put your mail with your outgoing mail, or
- Take your mail to Logistics by 3:00 p.m.
Packages
The University of California has contracts with Customs Brokerage & International Freight Forwarding Services, who have our Power of Attorney, to clear import shipments through U.S. Customs.
Note: If you are shipping multiple packages outside the United States, follow the additional steps in this PDF
Note: If you need additional export documentation see this PDF
- It is important to insure your shipment. To determine your insurance needs, see Transit Insurance.
- Receive required approval before going to the next step.
If you have insurance questions, contact ehsrisk@ucsd.edu, (858) 534-2454.
3. Fill out an International Outbound Shipment form- Login to the Logistics Portal: https://logistics.ucsd.edu
- Select Single Sign-On from the login screen to login via your SSO
- Look for the 'Logistics Request Form' icon (pictured right)
- Click on the icon to access all Logistics forms
- Select Select International and/or Hazardous Outbound Shipment and fill out the required fields
Once you submit your form, you will receive a confirmation with the documentation for your service.
- Biological Material
- Research Material
- Temperature Sensitive material
- Batteries
- Hazardous Materials
- Please follow click here (https://blink.ucsd.edu/facilities/services/shipping/hazardous/index.html)
All other requests for pickup require 24-hour notice.
- Securely package each item you want to ship.
- The driver will pick up your package and deliver it to Logistics.
- For liability reasons, Drivers can only pick up shipments that they have a pick up request form.
Customs Brokerage
Find contact information for Customs Brokerage & International Freight Forwarding Services.
Contact information
First: Always contact UCSD Shipping (outboundshipping@ucsd.edu) prior to processing shipments outside the United States. The Logistics Shipping Coordinator will advise you if you need to contact American Cargo Service (ACS) directly about your shipment.
Second: If the Logistics Shipping Coordinator asks you to contact American Cargo Service (ACS),use the information below:
American Cargo Service, Inc.
7886 Convoy Court
San Diego CA 92111
Local: (858) 565-4125
Toll free: (800) 508-4888
Email: UC@acssan.com, Website: http://www.acssan.com
Background
- Exports: Logistics handles most outgoing shipments destined for foreign countries and then passes the shipment freight forwarding companies, where the items are cleared through U.S. Customs and booked with a carrier for transport.
- Imports: Customs Brokerage & International Freight Forwarding companies can provide the following services:
- Arrange transportation logistics for inbound domestic and international shipments.
- US Customs clearance services for incoming goods from foreign countries.
- Notify departments when goods arrive into the USA.
- Request payment and delivery information.
- Deliver goods to UCSD Receiving.
See Customer Clearance FAQs here (PDF)