How to Use International Mail-Order for Medications Safely and Legally in 2025

Buying prescription medications from overseas used to be one of the simplest ways to save money-especially for people on fixed incomes or without insurance. But as of August 29, 2025, everything changed. The U.S. government eliminated the $800 de minimis threshold that let small packages slip through customs duty-free. Now, even a $50 bottle of insulin from Canada or a $30 pack of metformin from India could face a $80 to $200 duty charge. If you’re still considering international mail-order for meds, you need to know exactly how the new rules work-or risk having your package seized, fined, or worse.

What Changed in August 2025

This isn’t just a tax hike-it’s a system overhaul. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) now requires every international shipment to pay duties using one of two methods:

• Method 1 (Ad Valorem): You pay a percentage of the item’s declared value, based on the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) tariff rate. For most medications, this is between 2.5% and 5%.
• Method 2 (Flat Rate): A fixed fee based on the country of origin: $80 for countries with low tariff rates, $160 for medium, and $200 for high. This applies until February 28, 2026.

Here’s the catch: if you’re buying a $120 bottle of lisinopril from India, Method 1 might cost you $6. But Method 2? $80. That’s more than half the price of the drug. Many people are now realizing their "savings" vanished the moment the package hit customs.

Why Your Package Might Get Seized

• The drug isn’t FDA-approved in the U.S. (most foreign versions aren’t)
• You’re ordering more than a 90-day supply
• The seller doesn’t require a valid prescription
• The packaging lacks proper labeling in English

CBP and FDA work together. In 2024, over 12,000 international medication shipments were seized at U.S. ports. Many were counterfeit pills-fentanyl-laced fake Adderall, expired insulin, or fake Viagra. Even if you think you’re buying from a "reputable" site, you have no way to verify the source. The FDA doesn’t regulate foreign pharmacies. A website that looks professional might be a scam operating out of a basement.

How to Legally Order Medications Overseas

1. Only buy from countries with FDA-recognized standards. Canada, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and the European Union have regulatory systems similar to the U.S. Avoid pharmacies based in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, or Russia unless you can prove they’re licensed and inspected by a trusted authority.
2. Require a valid U.S. prescription. The FDA allows personal importation of non-FDA-approved drugs if you have a prescription from a licensed U.S. doctor. Print it out. Keep a copy. Send it with the package.
3. Order no more than a 3-month supply. Anything more will trigger automatic scrutiny. CBP considers bulk orders as commercial intent.
4. Use a carrier that handles customs. Don’t use standard postal services. Deutsche Post, Canada Post, and many others stopped accepting business parcels to the U.S. after August 22, 2025. Use DHL Express, FedEx, or UPS-they have customs brokers built in. They’ll calculate duties upfront and bill you directly.
5. Declare the correct HS code. Starting September 1, 2025, all commercial shipments need a six-digit Harmonized System code. For medications, it’s usually 3004.90 (other medicaments). Get it wrong, and you could be charged 300% more in duties.

Pro tip: If you’re buying insulin, metformin, or other high-cost meds, compare prices in Canada. Many U.S. pharmacies now partner with Canadian wholesalers. You can order through a U.S.-based pharmacy that sources from Canada, and they handle all the customs paperwork. It’s still cheaper than paying full price at CVS.

Who Pays the Duty? (And How to Avoid Getting Blamed)

Some sellers offer DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping. That means they’ve already paid the duty and taxes. Look for that option at checkout. If it’s not listed, assume you’re on the hook. Never click "I accept all customs charges" without knowing the exact amount.

Keep records. Save every invoice, tracking number, and customs notice. If your package is seized, you’ll need proof you tried to comply. Without it, you’ll lose the money and the meds.

What Happens If You Get Caught

• Seize your medication with no refund
• Issue a civil penalty up to $100,000 per violation
• Block future shipments from that sender
• Report you to the FDA for potential criminal investigation

There’s no "first offense" exception. In 2024, over 300 people received formal penalty notices for importing unapproved drugs-even if they were just trying to save money on insulin. One man in Ohio was fined $50,000 after importing $2,000 worth of diabetes meds from Mexico. He didn’t know the rules. He still paid.

Alternatives to International Mail-Order

• Use U.S. pharmacy discount programs. GoodRx, SingleCare, and RxSaver often offer prices lower than international pharmacies-even after shipping and duties.
• Ask your doctor about generic equivalents. Many brand-name drugs have generics that cost 80% less. A $400 monthly prescription might drop to $30.
• Apply for patient assistance programs. Most major drug manufacturers (Pfizer, Merck, Novo Nordisk) offer free or low-cost meds to low-income patients. You can apply online in minutes.
• Consider Canadian online pharmacies with U.S. fulfillment. Companies like CanadaDrugs.com and HealthWarehouse.com have U.S. warehouses. You order from them, they ship from within the U.S. No customs, no duties, no risk.

One woman in Texas saved $1,800 a year by switching her insulin from a U.S. pharmacy to a Canadian-based U.S. warehouse. She pays $130 per month instead of $280. No customs forms. No tracking delays. No fear of seizure.

Final Advice: Is It Worth It?

If you’re still thinking about it, ask yourself:

• Am I buying from a licensed pharmacy with a physical address and phone number?
• Do I have a valid U.S. prescription?
• Am I ordering less than a 90-day supply?
• Have I confirmed the HS code and duty amount before paying?
• Am I using a carrier that handles customs (DHL, FedEx, UPS)?

If you answered "no" to any of these, don’t send it. The cost of a single seized package isn’t just the money-it’s your health, your time, and your peace of mind.

There are safer, simpler, and cheaper ways to afford your meds. Use them.