Most shipping companies determine their prices in part by how far a package must travel, so it stands to reason that places like Puerto Rico are more expensive to ship to.
So, does UPS ship to Puerto Rico, and if so, what are the most important things to know about this service? If you’d like to find out, keep reading!
Key Takeaways
Does UPS Ship to Puerto Rico In 2022?
UPS ships to Puerto Rico, but considers all shipments going there to be international. Shipping to Puerto Rico costs $50 or more, based on the distance the package travels, but rates vary based on the specifics of the package. Packages take 1- 5 days to arrive, and don’t have to go through customs, but are subject to taxes in 2022.
If you’re thinking about using UPS to ship your next package to Puerto Rico, or if you just want to understand more about UPS’ process, be sure to keep reading to learn more!
How Much Would It Cost to Ship to Puerto Rico with UPS?
UPS calculates the shipping costs of any given package by looking at three variables:
- The distance a package will travel
- The package’s dimensional weight
- How quickly the package needs to be delivered
In order to begin getting a ballpark estimate of price ranges for a package, we need to begin filling in these variables.
We already know the package is going to Puerto Rico, so let’s assume the package is being sent from Texas.
If we also assume the package is 12 inches long with a 6-inch width and height, and a weight of approximately 5 lbs, we can start to see a price range take shape.
UPS Ground is typically the cheapest option available for most packages, and shipping this particular package from the US to Puerto Rico will cost just under $65.
To ship the same package using the next cheapest service, UPS 2nd Day Air, runs around $82 in shipping costs.
The most expensive option for shipping this package from the United States to Puerto Rico is UPS Next Day Air, which costs just over $135 for shipping- over double what UPS Ground charges.
It’s important to keep in mind that all of the prices listed above are estimates, and that these estimates can vary widely, depending on variables such as the dimensions, weight, and time frame of delivery.
If you’d like to see a more tailored menu of pricing for shipping based on your package’s information, you can visit this page of the UPS website, and fill in your package’s information.
You can also visit the “Calculate Time and Costs” page of the UPS website here for more helpful information on how to anticipate costs and delivery times!
How Long Does It Take to Ship to Puerto Rico UPS?
How long UPS shipping takes is mostly determined by the type of shipping service you select and pay for when shipping your package.
Typically, most packages to Puerto Rico are delivered within 1 to 5 days, with the fastest service offered being UPS Next Day Air, which delivers within 24 hours.
This service is the fastest, because packages with UPS Next Day Air labels are prioritized over all other packages, and are typically loaded onto planes to be shipped first.
The slowest service UPS offers is UPS Ground, which usually delivers anywhere between 3 and 5 days, and travels by truck and boat to get to its final destination.
While UPS is typically pretty good about adhering to its stated delivery windows, there are still things that can go wrong that can affect how long your package takes to be delivered.
These events are known as delivery exceptions, and are typically resolved without any interference necessary on your part.
Here are some examples of common delivery exceptions:
- Inclement weather
- The label has missing or incorrect information
- The address has missing or incorrect information
- Natural disasters
- The package is lost or damaged
- The correct amount was not paid for the shipping label
If you’re worried about a delivery exception occurring for your package, you can check by visiting the tracking page of the UPS website.
Do Shipments to Puerto Rico Go Through Customs UPS?
Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, and as such, packages originating from the United States being delivered in Puerto Rico don’t need to go through customs.
Packages from other countries do have to go through customs, however.
All packages, even those from the United States, are subject to a sales tax, based on the declared value of the goods being shipped.
All shipments going into Puerto Rico must be declared and released by the Puerto Rico Tax Department before they can be delivered.
However, companies like UPS are able to get packages through the tax department quickly so your package isn’t delayed.
The tax rate on almost all goods going into Puerto Rico, with the exception of food and medical supplies, is 10.5 percent.
This tax is either included in the price of shipping, or is paid by the recipient of the package when it arrives in San Juan.
Either way, there is no need for you to contact the tax department every time you wish to send a package.
If you’re interested in learning more about taxed goods in Puerto Rico, or have any questions or concerns, you can call the U.S. Customs and Border Protection office in San Juan at 787-729-6950 or 787-729-6980.
To know more, you can also read our posts on what does “in transit” mean at UPS, does UPS requires a signature, and if UPS delivers on Saturdays.
Conclusion
UPS does ship to Puerto Rico, but all shipments going to Puerto Rico are considered international shipments, even if the package originates in the United States.
Shipping to Puerto Rico can be a bit expensive, with an average-sized package costing anywhere from $65 to $135 to ship. Most packages being shipped to Puerto Rico arrive relatively quickly, with delivery times ranging between 1 to 5 days.