Shipping to Ukraine from the USA is possible with both USPS and UPS as of October 22, 2026: USPS accepts international mail for Ukraine and routes it through Poland, Slovakia or Latvia for handoff to Ukrposhta, and UPS reports that its operations in Ukraine have resumed on a regular schedule. Mail to Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk and other regions covered by US sanctions is embargoed, and delivery near the front line can be impossible, so confirm the recipient’s region before you ship.
This guide covers the current service status, the USPS and UPS options, the €150 customs threshold, what Ukraine prohibits and how to fill out the paperwork. To price a parcel, compare live USPS and UPS rates to Ukraine in the ParcelPath rate calculator.
Is shipping to Ukraine open right now?
Yes, with conditions. Here is what each carrier said when we checked on October 22, 2026:
- USPS: Ukraine is listed on the USPS International Service Alerts page, but not as suspended. The latest alert, dated March 2, 2022, says international postal items for Ukraine should be sent via Poland, Slovakia or Latvia, where Ukrposhta collects them, and that some Ukrainian post offices operate on a limited basis. Transit through Ukrainian territory to other countries remains suspended.
- UPS: The UPS service alerts notice states that UPS operations in Ukraine have resumed and are back to regular scheduling, while operations in Russia and Belarus remain suspended indefinitely.
- Sanctions: The USPS country listing applies a broad US embargo to mail for the Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk regions, plus any other region the Treasury designates under Executive Order 14065. Senders must check OFAC and BIS guidance before shipping to an address that could fall in a covered region.
Service can change quickly with the security situation, so check both carriers’ alert pages on the day you ship, especially for addresses in eastern and southern oblasts.
Which USPS and UPS services ship to Ukraine?
| Service | Max weight | Coverage | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPS Worldwide Express / Worldwide Saver | Per UPS package limits | Depends on the recipient’s city and postal code | Urgent and commercial shipments |
| UPS Worldwide Expedited | Per UPS package limits | Depends on the recipient’s city and postal code | Heavier parcels that need door-to-door tracking |
| USPS Priority Mail Express International | 44 lb (Flat Rate Envelope 4 lb) | Listed cities only, including Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipro and Zaporizhzhia | Faster postal delivery to major cities |
| USPS Priority Mail International | 66 lb (Medium and Large Flat Rate Boxes 20 lb) | Ukrposhta network | Most personal parcels and gifts |
| USPS First-Class Package International Service | 4 lb | Ukrposhta network | Light, low-value items |
USPS size limits are 36 inches long for Priority Mail Express International and 42 inches for Priority Mail International, with 79 inches combined length and girth. USPS merchandise insurance is offered on both Priority services. Inside Ukraine, final delivery runs through Ukrposhta, and the private courier Nova Post separately accepts US-to-Ukraine parcels up to 30 kg at UPS Store locations under a partnership it announced in February 2026.
Through ParcelPath you can buy USPS labels at up to 89% off retail and UPS labels at up to 85% off, free to use with no subscription or per-label fee. ParcelPath issues USPS and UPS labels only. If you already use another courier, DHL Express and FedEx publish their own Ukraine service status.
How long does shipping to Ukraine take?
Treat every Ukraine transit time as an estimate. USPS’s general standards are 3 to 5 business days for Priority Mail Express International to many major markets and 6 to 10 business days for Priority Mail International, but parcels for Ukraine travel to a hub in Poland, Slovakia or Latvia and then overland, so they often take longer. UPS express services are usually the fastest route to Kyiv and Lviv.
Region matters more than carrier. Western cities such as Lviv, Uzhhorod and Ivano-Frankivsk generally see the most reliable delivery, while addresses near active fighting can be delayed or unreachable. Air-raid alerts and power outages also interrupt local sorting and delivery, so build in extra days and tell the recipient to watch for an SMS from Ukrposhta.
What customs rules apply when shipping to Ukraine?
Ukraine exempts low-value parcels from customs charges. According to the USPS country listing, goods sent by one sender in a single dispatch with a total value of €150 or less are exempt; above €150, Ukrainian duties and taxes apply to the shipment. The Verkhovna Rada has repeatedly debated lowering this threshold for e-commerce parcels, so check the current rule before you send anything near the limit.
Humanitarian aid can qualify for simplified treatment under Ukrainian law, but ordinary personal parcels still need an accurate declaration of contents and value. Ukrposhta publishes its import customs clearance guidance for recipients, including how to pay any charges before collection. USPS Delivered Duty Paid is not listed for Ukraine, so the recipient settles any postal import charges.
What can’t you ship to Ukraine?
The USPS International Mail Manual lists these prohibitions for mail to Ukraine:
- medicines and medicinal products, and narcotic or psychotropic drugs
- coins, banknotes, currency, bearer securities and traveler’s checks
- gold, silver, platinum, precious stones, jewelry and other valuables
- articles of cultural value, such as art, antiques and collectors’ pieces
- tobacco products and tobacco substitutes
- agricultural products, and passports or identity cards
- devices or software designed to intercept secret information
- by Priority Mail Express International, also watches
Some items are allowed only with conditions. Food must be in the manufacturer’s packaging and is limited to 2 kg by First-Class Package International Service and 10 kg by Priority Mail International or Express. Radios and mobile phones for personal use need prior authorization from Ukraine’s radio frequency regulator, and prescription medicines for personal use need Ministry of Health authorization. Avoid anything that could be read as military or dual-use equipment, which carries both export-control and safety implications.
How do you prepare a parcel for Ukraine?
A clean declaration and a reachable recipient matter more than the service you pick:
- Include the recipient’s mobile number. USPS lists it as required on registered items and parcel customs forms, because Ukrposhta texts the recipient when the parcel arrives.
- Add the recipient’s email on the customs declaration if they have one.
- Use the correct five-digit postcode, placed below the city or oblast name.
- Describe each item precisely with quantity and value, and keep the total under €150 if you want the parcel to clear without charges.
- Use the right form: PS Form 2976-A in a 2976-E envelope for Priority Mail International, PS Form 2976 for First-Class Package International Service, or the combined form that online labels generate.
For neighboring markets, our guides to shipping to Austria and shipping to the Czech Republic cover EU rules, and the guide to shipping to Europe compares the region. Our shipping calculator guide explains how carrier rate tools handle international parcels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is USPS shipping to Ukraine right now?
Yes. As of October 22, 2026, USPS accepts mail for Ukraine and sends it via Poland, Slovakia or Latvia for collection by Ukrposhta, under a service alert dated March 2, 2022. Priority Mail International accepts up to 66 pounds and Priority Mail Express International up to 44 pounds to listed cities. Mail to Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk is embargoed under US sanctions.
Does UPS deliver to Ukraine?
Yes. UPS’s service alerts state that its operations in Ukraine have resumed and are back to regular scheduling, while UPS operations in Russia and Belarus remain suspended indefinitely. Availability and transit time still depend on the recipient’s city and postal code, so enter the full Ukrainian address before choosing a UPS service, and avoid regions under US sanctions.
What is the duty-free limit for parcels to Ukraine?
Ukraine exempts goods from customs charges when one sender’s single dispatch is worth €150 or less in total, according to the USPS country listing for Ukraine. Above €150, Ukrainian duties and taxes apply and are paid by the recipient. Lawmakers have debated lowering the threshold, so confirm the current figure before shipping a higher-value parcel.
Can I send medicine to Ukraine by mail?
Generally no. The USPS International Mail Manual lists medicines and medicinal products among the items prohibited in mail to Ukraine. Prescription medicines for personal use are allowed only when the recipient has prior authorization from Ukraine’s Ministry of Health and the quantity matches a full course of treatment, so check with the recipient before you pack any medication.
Sources
- USPS International Service Alert: Ukraine (checked October 22, 2026)
- USPS International Mail Manual: Ukraine country listing
- USPS: International shipping
- UPS Service Alerts (checked October 22, 2026)
- Ukrposhta: Import customs clearance
Part of our Europe guide. Related: Shipping to Europe, UK, Turkey.
