Home > Blog > What Is a U.S. Package Forwarding Address?

By George Matthews, Marketing Director

Last updated: August 19, 2026

A U.S. package forwarding address is a real street address at a U.S. warehouse that is assigned specifically to you. You use it during checkout at any U.S. retailer, and the store delivers your package domestically. From there, your package forwarding company, like Shipito, ships it on to your country.

• Why do U.S. retailers block international checkout?
• How does package forwarding work?
• How much does U.S. package forwarding cost?
• Which warehouse should you use?
• What can't you ship with package forwarding?
• Is package forwarding legal?
• What mistakes do first-time users make?
• FAQ

Why do U.S. retailers block international checkout?

Imagine surfing the internet and finding the perfect dress for your next social event, the perfect shoes in your size for someone you love, or the perfect gift for your grandchild's first birthday. You add it to your cart, head to checkout, enter your shipping address, and then read: "We do not ship to your country."

This happens to shoppers around the world every day, because many U.S. retailers only deliver within the United States. It doesn't mean they don't want your business. They're avoiding extra work that outweighs the benefit, for a few specific reasons:

• Fraud screening: International orders are harder to verify than domestic ones. Payment methods, billing addresses, and identity checks get more complicated across borders, and international transactions carry higher chargeback rates. Not every retailer has the resources to manage that risk.
• Customs paperwork: Every country has its own import rules, customs procedures, taxes, duties, and prohibited items. Handling that requires a dedicated logistics team many retailers don't have.
• Carrier limits: Not every shipping carrier delivers to every destination, and rates vary widely. Retailers focus on the markets they know best rather than track every moving piece.
• Licensing restrictions: Some retailers aren't allowed to ship overseas even if they want to. Manufacturers sometimes limit where authorized sellers can distribute products, especially for luxury brands, electronics, software, beauty products, and specialty equipment.

Blocking international checkout isn't personal, and it isn't going away. That's exactly why U.S. package forwarding exists, and thousands of products most shoppers assumed were out of reach are within reach through it. Have you yet to explore this option? Let Shipito tell you everything about it.

How does package forwarding work?

Package forwarding is more straightforward than most people expect. Once you understand the basic steps, it feels a lot like regular online shopping. Here's how it works with Shipito.

Step 1: Sign up

Provide your basic contact information, verify your email address, and complete any required identity checks. Once your account is activated, you'll get access to your customer dashboard, where you can view incoming packages, manage shipments, track deliveries, and review your forwarding history.

Step 2: Get a free U.S. shipping address

After setting up your account, you'll receive your free U.S. shipping address. It isn't a shared mailing address that anyone can use. It's a unique identifier stating your warehouse and your individual locker or suite number.

Step 3: Shop

Start shopping just as if you lived in the U.S. When it's time to check out, enter your assigned U.S. warehouse address as the shipping destination.

Step 4: Package arrives

The staff at your U.S. address for international shipping will receive your package, send you photos of it for confirmation, and prepare it for international delivery.

Step 5: Choose a carrier and ship

Ready to get your hands on your U.S. products? Select an available carrier, complete the necessary export documentation, and ship. Compare carrier options and prices with the Shipito shipping calculator. From there, your package begins its final leg to wherever you are.

How much does U.S. package forwarding cost?

How much does package forwarding cost? The honest answer is, "it depends." Every package forwarding company has its own pricing structure and membership plans. At Shipito, there are two:

• Free account: $3.25 processing fee per package, $5.50 consolidation fee per package, and 7 days of free storage.
• Premium Membership: a discounted $2.25 processing fee per package, a discounted $3.25 consolidation fee per package, 45 or more days of free storage, and access to the tax-free Oregon warehouse.

At first glance, a free account may seem like the obvious choice, and for many shoppers it is. If you only order something once in a while, paying the per-package processing fee may be more economical than a recurring membership. But if you shop frequently, Premium Membership usually pays for itself. Longer free storage alone is useful when you're waiting on multiple orders to arrive before shipping them together.

One distinction worth knowing: a processing fee and international postage aren't the same thing. The processing fee covers the work Shipito performs after your package reaches the warehouse. International postage is what the carrier charges to move your package from the warehouse to your destination country.

Which warehouse should you use?

A Shipito membership gives you access to more than one warehouse, and each comes with different advantages:

• California: the default choice for many international shoppers, home to major shipping hubs and international logistics networks, which means competitive shipping rates and quick processing for most U.S. domestic orders.
• Tualatin, Oregon: no sales tax on eligible purchases (0%, compared to roughly 10% in California), and faster USPS delivery to some destinations. Only available with Premium Membership.
• Rastenfeld, Austria: fast service to Europe, with direct flights from VIE airport and same-day package processing available.
• Chiba, Japan: the preferred warehouse for anyone buying products from Japanese retailers and shipping them anywhere in the world.

There's no single "best" warehouse for everyone. The right choice depends on what you're buying, where you're shipping it, and what matters most to you: low shipping rates, tax-free purchases, or quick processing. See the warehouse locations page for the full breakdown.

What can't you ship with package forwarding?

One of the biggest misconceptions about package forwarding is that you can ship absolutely anything you buy. That's not how international shipping works.

Whenever a package leaves the U.S. for another country, it has to comply with two sets of rules: the international shipping rules of the carrier transporting it, and the import laws of the destination country. Some products are commonly restricted because they pose safety risks, contain hazardous materials, or are heavily regulated, including:

• Aerosols
• Air bags
• Ammunition
• Cigarettes
• Dry ice
• Explosives
• Gasoline
• Hemp-based products
• Marijuana
• Mercury and products containing mercury
• Nail polish
• Perfumes containing alcohol
• Poisons and toxic substances

Alcohol is a partial exception worth knowing about. Shipito can ship alcohol from the Austria and Japan warehouses to select countries, so it isn't off the table everywhere, just more limited than most items. Regulations change over time, so it's always worth checking before you shop. See the full prohibited and restricted items list, or contact support if you're unsure about a specific product.

Is package forwarding legal?

Yes. The key is following the rules throughout the process.

When you're ready to ship internationally, you'll complete a customs declaration stating what's inside the package, how much it's worth, and whether any duties or taxes apply. Providing accurate information matters, since inaccuracies can cause delays, additional charges, or penalties.

As the customer, you're considered the importer of record. That means you're responsible for making sure your shipment complies with your country's import requirements and for paying any applicable duties, taxes, or customs fees. The forwarding company only helps transport your items.

What mistakes do first-time users make?

Countless shoppers have already used package forwarding, and many of them made a few mistakes along the way. Knowing the most common ones can help you avoid them:

• Providing an inaccurate suite number: Warehouses receive thousands of packages daily. Everyone shares the same warehouse address, so your individual suite number is what identifies a package as yours. Double-check this detail every time you place an order.
• Choosing the wrong warehouse: Picking the first warehouse you read about without thinking it through can cost you valuable perks. For example, shipping eligible purchases to California instead of Oregon means missing out on Oregon's no-sales-tax advantage.
• Letting storage lapse: It's tempting to leave a package at the warehouse while you decide what to do next, but don't lose track of your free storage window. Once it expires, storage charges can apply, and packages left too long may be treated as abandoned.
• Declaring an incorrect value: Some shoppers declare a lower value than they actually paid to reduce customs duties or import taxes. It isn't worth the risk. Customs authorities have ways to verify declared value, and if the amount looks off, your shipment can be delayed for more documentation, with penalties and fines possible too.

With accurate information, careful planning, and a basic understanding of how package forwarding works, you'll be well on your way to a smooth international shopping experience.

FAQ

What is a package forwarding address?
A package forwarding address is a real shipping address provided by a package forwarding company. Instead of having online purchases delivered directly to your home country, you use this address when shopping from retailers that don't ship overseas. Once your order reaches the warehouse, the company receives it on your behalf and ships it on to your destination.

Can I shop U.S. stores if they don't ship to my country?
Yes. If a U.S. store only ships domestically, you can sign up for package forwarding to get a unique local address. Enter that address at checkout, wait for the store to send your order, and let your forwarding provider handle the international leg from there.

How do I get a U.S. address to shop online?
Create an account with a package forwarding provider like Shipito. Once registration is complete, you'll receive a U.S. warehouse address along with your personal suite or locker number, ready to use whenever you shop from U.S. retailers.

What affects the total cost of package forwarding?
Your total depends on several factors: whether you're on a free or premium membership, package or mail processing fees, optional services like consolidation, repacking, or extra photos, international shipping rates based on your package's size, weight, and destination, and any customs duties, taxes, or import fees your destination country charges.

Can I consolidate my packages for forwarding?
Yes. Package consolidation combines multiple purchases from different retailers into a single shipment. That reduces your overall shipping cost, simplifies customs paperwork, cuts down on excess packaging, and makes a shipment easier to track than several smaller ones.

Which carrier should I choose?
The most popular carriers for international shoppers include UPS, FedEx, and USPS, along with more than 20 carriers and services Shipito works with depending on your warehouse and destination. The right one depends on what matters most to you: delivery speed, cost, tracking, insurance, customs handling, or size and weight limits. Compare live options in the shipping calculator.

Ready to get your free U.S. address?

International shopping has never been more accessible, thanks to a U.S. package forwarding address bridging the gap. Experience the freedom to purchase where you want, instead of only where you're allowed. Sign up for Shipito and open the door to more stores, more brands, and more opportunities.