Shipping to Iceland from the USA is open with both USPS and UPS in 2026: USPS has no service suspension for Iceland and accepts Priority Mail International parcels up to 70 pounds and Priority Mail Express International up to 66 pounds, delivered nationwide. Iceland charges 24% VAT on most imports, and USPS prohibits meat products, tobacco and wireless devices in mail to Iceland, so check the contents before you pick a service.
This guide covers which services run the lane, how long they take, how Iceland taxes imports, what you can’t send, and what paperwork the recipient needs to clear the parcel. To price your box, compare live USPS and UPS rates to Iceland in the ParcelPath rate calculator.
Which carriers ship from the US to Iceland?
USPS’s International Mail Manual listing for Iceland shows Priority Mail Express International, Priority Mail International and First-Class Package International Service as available, and the USPS International Service Alerts page (updated October 2, 2026) lists no restriction on Iceland. Global Express Guaranteed has been suspended since September 29, 2024. Iceland Post (Pósturinn) handles customs presentation and final delivery of USPS parcels.
UPS serves Iceland with its Worldwide services and handles customs brokerage, which suits business shipments, heavier boxes and anything with a firm deadline. Use the UPS time-in-transit tool for a delivery commitment to your recipient’s postal code.
| Service | Expected delivery | Max weight to Iceland | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Worldwide Express / Worldwide Saver | Fastest option; day-definite | Per UPS package limits | Business orders and urgent parcels |
| UPS Worldwide Expedited | Slower than Express, still day-definite | Per UPS package limits | Heavier boxes that need tracking |
| USPS Priority Mail Express International | 3 to 5 business days to many major markets | 66 lb; Flat Rate Envelope 4 lb | Urgent documents and gifts |
| USPS Priority Mail International | 6 to 10 business days | 70 lb; Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes 20 lb | Gifts and family parcels |
| USPS First-Class Package International Service | Varies by destination | 4 lb | Light, low-value items |
Priority Mail Express International serves all areas of Iceland. Merchandise insurance is available on both Priority Mail services, which matters for a lane where winter weather can stretch transit times. Our guide to how to ship a package walks through choosing a box, weighing it and buying a label.
How long does shipping to Iceland take?
USPS lists Priority Mail International at 6 to 10 business days and Priority Mail Express International at 3 to 5 business days for many major markets. Iceland is a short transatlantic flight from the East Coast, so the real variables are customs clearance and the last leg from Reykjavík.
- Capital region first: parcels to Reykjavík, Kópavogur and Hafnarfjörður usually arrive sooner than those to the Westfjords, the north or the east.
- Winter weather from November through March can close roads and delay flights to regional towns.
- Customs holds happen when the invoice is missing or the item description is vague.
Choose UPS when a parcel has a deadline, because UPS provides a delivery commitment and tracks the box through clearance.
What VAT and duty does Iceland charge on imports?
Iceland isn’t in the EU, so it runs its own import taxes. According to the US International Trade Administration, the standard VAT rate is 24%, with a reduced rate of 11% for food, books, magazines and other necessities. VAT is charged on the value of the goods plus the shipping and insurance cost.
Iceland removed tariffs on consumer goods, including clothing and electronics, in 2016 and 2017, so most personal parcels owe VAT but no duty. Agricultural products are the main exception: the ITA reports that tariffs on many US agricultural products remain between 20% and 30%. Alcohol and tobacco carry their own excise duties. The recipient normally pays these charges, plus any clearance fee, before the parcel is released.
What can’t you ship to Iceland?
The USPS International Mail Manual lists these items as prohibited in mail to Iceland:
- Meat products, including sausages, jerky-style snacks and cured meats.
- Tobacco products of every kind.
- Wireless receivers and their accessories, parts or batteries.
- Toys made of lead.
- Bees and silkworms.
- Icelandic coins and banknotes, and anything payable in Icelandic currency.
The meat ban is the one that catches gift boxes, so leave out salami, beef sticks and similar treats. For other foods, our guide to shipping perishables and food covers packaging, and our guide to how to ship frozen food explains why frozen items rarely survive an international transit. Because USPS bars wireless receivers and their batteries, send phones and similar devices with UPS under its battery rules.
What paperwork does a parcel to Iceland need?
Iceland asks for more than a customs form. The IMM notes that imported merchandise must be accompanied by a duplicate invoice signed by the seller, or by the sender if there was no sale, describing the goods and stating the price of each type. The recipient presents that invoice to clear the parcel, so tuck one copy inside the box and email another to the recipient.
- Use PS Form 2976-A for Priority Mail International and PS Form 2976-B for Priority Mail Express International; online labels transmit the data electronically.
- Describe each item specifically, with quantity, value and country of origin.
- Add the six-digit HS code for commercial items, which USPS has required on customs data since September 1, 2025.
- Write the address with the street name and house number, then the three-digit postal code and town (for example, 101 Reykjavík), and “ICELAND” as the last line.
Through ParcelPath, you can buy USPS labels at up to 89% off and UPS labels at up to 85% off, with no subscription, per-label fee, minimum or contract. ParcelPath issues USPS and UPS labels only, schedules free USPS pickups and offers Shipsurance coverage. For a wider look at carriers, see our roundup of the best shipping services and solutions, or browse the guide to shipping to Europe, including the UK and Ukraine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to ship a package to Iceland from the USA?
For gifts and personal parcels, USPS Priority Mail International is the usual choice for shipping to Iceland: it takes up to 70 pounds, can be insured, and typically arrives in 6 to 10 business days. Light items under 4 pounds can go First-Class Package International Service. Choose UPS for business orders, deadlines, or phones and other wireless devices that USPS won’t carry to Iceland.
How long does shipping to Iceland take?
Shipping to Iceland takes about 6 to 10 business days with USPS Priority Mail International and around 3 to 5 business days with Priority Mail Express International, which serves the whole country. UPS Worldwide services are faster and day-definite. Winter weather outside the capital region and missing invoices at customs are the most common causes of delay.
How much is Iceland’s import VAT?
Iceland’s standard VAT rate is 24%, and a reduced 11% rate applies to food, books, magazines and other necessities, according to the US International Trade Administration. VAT is calculated on the goods plus shipping and insurance. Most consumer goods owe no customs duty since Iceland removed those tariffs in 2016 and 2017, though many US agricultural products still face 20% to 30% tariffs.
Can you mail meat or sausages to Iceland?
No. The USPS International Mail Manual prohibits meat products, including sausages, in mail to Iceland. The same listing bans tobacco products, wireless receivers with their parts and batteries, toys made of lead, bees and silkworms, and Icelandic currency. Leave cured meats and jerky out of gift boxes, and ship any wireless device with UPS under its battery rules.
Sources
- USPS International Mail Manual: Iceland country listing
- USPS International Service Alerts
- USPS: International Mail and Shipping Services
- US International Trade Administration: Iceland Import Tariffs
- UPS: Calculate Time and Cost
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Part of our Europe guide. Related: all Europe destinations, Ukraine, UK.
