How to ship packages from the US to Latin America (guide for Latinos in the U.S.)
- 4 days ago
- 8 min read
Sending a box to your family back home shouldn’t be stressful or confusing. With Kaebox you can compare international rates, handle customs in a few clicks, and track your package in real time—on web or mobile, in English or Spanish. This guide walks you step by step through shipping from the U.S. to Latin America so you save time, money, and headaches every time you send something home.
Why so many Latinos in the U.S. ship home all the time
If you’re Latino living in the U.S., chances are you:
Send clothes, sneakers, and toys that are cheaper or better quality here.
Take advantage of U.S. sales to support family back home.
Need to ship documents, business samples, or online orders to customers in Latin America.
The problem is:
Every carrier has different prices and rules, and it’s hard to compare.
Customs forms are confusing and often not in Spanish.
You don’t have time to visit three different counters to get quotes.
With Kaebox, instead of opening several carrier websites, you see international options in one place and book everything from the Web Shipping Dashboard or the Kaebox app for iOS and Android.
What you need before shipping from the U.S. to Latin America. Ship packages to latin america from us
Before you start building your shipment in Kaebox, make sure you have:
1. Full destination address
Full name and phone number
Street, number, apartment
City, state/province, postal code
Country (Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, etc.)
You can save these in your Address Book so you never have to retype them. See how it works in the YouTube tutorial: Address Book.
2. Package size and weight
Measure length, width, and height of your box.
Weigh the box as accurately as you can.
This information directly affects your price. Kaebox uses it to show more accurate options when you compare carriers.
3. A clear list of what’s inside
What items you’re sending (e.g., “used adult clothing”, “plastic toys”, “basketball shoes”).
Quantity and approximate value for each group of items.
This is crucial for customs. Kaebox helps you turn these descriptions into proper customs data using its automation tools from the article on automating customs documentation.
4. Basic idea of what’s allowed and not allowed
Most countries restrict things like:
Flammables and aerosols
Fresh food and meat
Some medicines
Cash and weapons
If you’re unsure, describe your situation and items to the Kaebox AI Assistant and ask, “Can I ship this from the U.S. to <country>?”
Step-by-step: sending an international package with Kaebox
Step 1: Sign in to Kaebox
Go to the Kaebox Web Shipping Dashboard or open the Kaebox mobile app (iOS/Android).
Create your account or sign in.
Add your addresses (home, work, family abroad) to the Address Book for faster future shipments.
Step 2: Set your “From” and “To” addresses
From: your U.S. address (home, office, small business).
To: your family’s or customer’s address in Latin America.
You can keep multiple destinations saved if you regularly ship to several countries.
Step 3: Enter your package details
Kaebox will ask for:
Dimensions: length, width, height
Weight
Short, clear description of the contents
No need to guess complex customs codes—Kaebox helps handle that using the same logic from its guide to automating international customs documentation.
Step 4: Compare rates and delivery times
Kaebox shows different international options with:
Price
Estimated transit time
Service level (economy, standard, express)
To understand how to compare rates like a pro, watch the Carrier Rate Comparison Guide and read the blog on who really offers discounted shipping rates in the U.S. (2025).
For a big-picture overview of your options, check the post Best way to ship international packages from the US.
Step 5: Fill out customs (without the stress)
In Kaebox, the Customs section is designed for real people, not customs brokers:
You type what’s in the box, how many pieces, and the value.
Kaebox uses that data to generate the required customs details.
Where supported, Kaebox e-files this information to the carrier so you don’t have to deal with extra forms.
This is the same logic explained in Automate customs documentation – international shipping.
Step 6: Choose pickup or drop-off
You typically get two main delivery patterns:
Pickup (door-to-door)
A driver comes to your home or business.
No printer? With Kaebox’s driver prints at your door option, the driver can print your shipping label on arrival, scan it, and take the package. This pairs nicely with the guide on shipping label printing with Kaebox.
Drop-off (you bring the package)
You take the package to a designated drop-off location.
Can be easier if you move around a lot during the day.
In some ZIP codes you may see same-day pickup windows. For certain routes, Kaebox supports same-day international shipping from home.
Step 7: Pay, get your label, and start tracking
As soon as you confirm the shipment:
You pay securely inside Kaebox.
You get your shipping label and tracking number.
You can monitor the shipment in real time using Kaebox plus the carrier, as explained in the real-time tracking blog: How does real-time tracking work for parcel deliveries in the US and the video Instant Tracking.
How to save money on shipments to Latin America
1. Optimize your box, not just your carrier
Avoid boxes that are much larger than your contents.
Combine multiple small items into a well-packed medium box when it makes sense.
Dimensional weight can make a light but bulky box more expensive.
2. Be flexible with delivery time
The fastest service is not always necessary.
If it’s not urgent, choose a standard or economy international service and save money.
You can see how this plays out in Kaebox’s article on the best way to ship international packages from the US.
3. Always compare—don’t just use “what you’ve always used”
Using only one carrier because “that’s what my cousin uses” can cost you more over time. Kaebox works like an on-demand shipping marketplace so you can see multiple options in one place, similar to what’s described in What are the best apps for on-demand shipping in the US?.
4. Take advantage of discounted programs
Kaebox can tap into special programs like GlobalPost Plus on Kaebox, which are especially strong for small and mid-sized packages going overseas.
Customs, taxes, and delivery times (without the jargon)
Every Latin American country has its own rules, but in general:
Duties and taxes depend on what the items are and how much they’re worth.
Many countries have a duty-free threshold for gifts or low-value items.
Customs can decide to physically inspect a package, adding a few days to delivery.
Kaebox doesn’t control local customs decisions, but it does a lot of the heavy lifting to keep your paperwork clean and accurate, using the same tools described in Automate customs documentation – international shipping.
As for timing:
Standard services can range from several days to a couple of weeks, depending on the country.
Express services are faster—but cost more.
In some U.S. cities, Kaebox can orchestrate same-day international shipping from home, depending on cutoff times and routes.
Tracking your shipment (and what to do if tracking stops updating)
With Kaebox you can:
See your shipment status in the same dashboard where you booked.
Get real-time status from the carrier in a single view, as described in the real-time tracking explainer.
Customize notifications via the video tutorial Customize Notifications.
If your tracking looks “stuck” after drop-off or pickup:
Check the Kaebox blog Tracking not updating after drop-off.
Often, the package is moving but hasn’t hit the next scan yet.
If it’s been several days with no updates, contact Kaebox support with your tracking number for help.
Quick tips by destination country (examples)
Rules change, so always verify edge cases with the Kaebox AI Assistant before shipping.
Mexico
Clearly mark if items are personal gifts.
Avoid fresh foods and meat products.
Colombia
Be careful with high-value electronics—these often trigger duties.
Keep value declarations realistic; under-declaring can cause problems.
Peru and Ecuador
Make sure your recipient has proper ID (DNI, cédula, etc.) for delivery or pickup.
Pack fragile items extra carefully, with internal cushioning.
Brazil
Brazil’s tax system is strict: be honest and detailed in your descriptions.
Never ship counterfeit or “replica” branded goods.
For all countries, the core rule is: clear descriptions + honest value. The Kaebox guide on the best way to ship international packages from the US goes deeper into this.
Start shipping to Latin America with Kaebox today
With Kaebox you can:
Create your international label in minutes.
Schedule a pickup so you don’t have to leave home.
Let the driver print the label at your door if you don’t own a printer.
Track your shipment all the way to your family’s front door in Latin America.
Start now:Web Shipping Dashboard · https://app.kaebox.comiOS · https://apps.apple.com/us/app/kaebox/id1603455947Android · https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.kaebox.llc.delivery&pcampaignid=web_shareAsk the Kaebox AI Assistant · https://chatgpt.com/g/g-67cd3d5f012081919c4d71c7dad6fcb7-kaebox-ai-assistant-shipping-rates-and-label
FAQs: shipping from the U.S. to Latin America with Kaebox
How much does it cost to ship a package from the U.S. to Latin America with Kaebox?
Pricing depends on weight, box size, destination country, and the service speed you choose. Instead of guessing, go to the Kaebox Web Shipping Dashboard, enter your package details, and compare live rates and ETAs side by side. For context on how discounted rates work, see Who really offers discounted shipping rates in the US (2025)?
What can I ship, and what’s usually prohibited to Latin America?
Most countries allow clothing, shoes, toys, documents, and many personal goods. Items that are often restricted include aerosols, flammables, fresh food, some medicines, cash, and weapons. The safest move is to describe your items and check guidance from the best way to ship international packages from the US, or to ask the Kaebox AI Assistant for your specific country and contents.
How long will it take for my package to reach Latin America?
Transit times vary by destination and service type. Many standard international shipments arrive within several days to a couple of weeks, while express services can be significantly faster but more expensive. When you compare services in Kaebox, each option shows an estimated delivery time, and you can track progress in real time, as explained in How does real-time tracking work for parcel deliveries in the US?
Do I need a printer to use Kaebox?
No. If you schedule a pickup, the Kaebox driver can print your label at the door, scan it, and take the package. If you choose a drop-off service or prefer to print at home or work, Kaebox supports that too—see the guide on shipping label printing with Kaebox.
How does tracking work for my international shipment?
When you confirm your shipment, Kaebox gives you a tracking number that you can monitor from the web dashboard or mobile app. You’ll see status changes like picked up, in transit, at customs, out for delivery, and delivered. You can also set up alerts using the Customize Notifications tutorial and refer to the real-time tracking blog for details.
Can I insure my package with Kaebox?
Yes. During the shipment setup, you can add insurance based on the declared value of your items for extra protection against loss or damage. The YouTube tutorial Add Insurance shows exactly where in the flow you enable coverage and how it affects your total cost.
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