Buying medication from overseas used to be simple. For years, Americans could order pills, creams, or supplies from Canada, India, or Europe through the mail - and pay little to no extra fees. But that changed on August 29, 2025. The U.S. government ended the $800 duty-free threshold for all international packages. Now, even a $25 bottle of blood pressure pills from Germany can trigger a $80 customs fee. If you’re trying to save money on prescriptions, this new rule makes things harder - but not impossible. You just need to know how to play by the new rules.
What Changed in August 2025?
Before August 2025, any package under $800 entered the U.S. without taxes or duties. That meant people could order generic insulin from Canada, antibiotics from India, or thyroid meds from the UK for a fraction of the U.S. price. Over 97% of international mail-order packages qualified for this exemption. But now, only gifts under $100 are still free. Everything else - even if it’s just $15 worth of vitamins - gets taxed. The new system gives carriers two ways to collect duties until February 28, 2026:- Method 1: Calculate duty based on the item’s actual value and its tariff rate (called ad valorem). This is more accurate but requires detailed paperwork.
- Method 2: Flat fees: $80 for low-tariff countries, $160 for medium, $200 for high-tariff ones. This is simpler but can cost way more than the actual value of the medication.
Can You Even Legally Order Medication by Mail?
Yes - but only under strict conditions. The FDA allows personal importation of unapproved drugs if:- The medication is for a serious condition with no U.S. treatment available
- The drug is not for resale
- You’re importing no more than a 3-month supply
- You have a doctor’s note or prescription (even if foreign)
Where to Buy Medication Overseas (And Where Not To)
Not all international pharmacies are safe. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) has a list of verified online pharmacies. Look for the VIPPS seal - it means they’re licensed and follow U.S. standards. Avoid sites that:- Don’t require a prescription
- Sell “miracle cures” or unapproved drugs
- Only accept cryptocurrency
- Have no physical address or phone number
- Canada: Licensed, regulated, and often sell U.S.-made drugs at lower prices.
- India: Major generic drug manufacturer. Many U.S. pharmacies source from here. Buy only from licensed Indian pharmacies like Apollo or MedPlus.
- United Kingdom: NHS-approved pharmacies sell branded and generic meds at fixed prices.
- Mexico: Popular for Americans near the border. Many border towns have pharmacies that ship.
How to Avoid Customs Seizures and Fines
Your package can get stuck, destroyed, or fined if you mess up the paperwork. Here’s how to avoid it:- Use a commercial invoice - not a gift label. Write the exact drug name (e.g., “Metformin Hydrochloride 500mg tablets”), quantity, value, and manufacturer.
- Include the HS code - for most oral medications, it’s 3004.90. Find yours at the USITC website.
- Declare the true value - don’t say “$10” for a $150 bottle. Customs can check the seller’s website. Under-declaring risks seizure.
- Use a bonded carrier - DHL, FedEx, or UPS handle customs for you. USPS and Canada Post now refuse commercial shipments to the U.S.
- Keep a copy of your prescription - even if it’s from another country. Attach it to the package.
Who Pays the Duty? You, the Seller, or the Carrier?
This is the biggest confusion right now. The law says the importer (you) is responsible. But carriers often pay it upfront and then bill you - sometimes with extra fees. Some sellers offer DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) shipping, meaning they cover it. Others say “freight collect,” meaning you pay at delivery. If you’re the buyer, ask the seller: “Do you handle customs duties?” If they say no, assume you’ll pay. Don’t be surprised if your package arrives with a $100 bill from FedEx. That’s now normal.Is It Still Worth It?
Let’s say you need $200/month of insulin. In the U.S., it’s $300. In Canada, it’s $75. Before August 2025, you’d pay $75 + $0 shipping = $75. Now, you pay $75 + $80 duty + $20 shipping = $175. Still cheaper than $300. So yes - it’s worth it. But if you’re buying $30 of vitamins? $30 + $80 duty = $110. That’s not worth it. The new rules make small orders pointless. Only big, necessary meds make sense now.
What If You Can’t Afford the Duty?
Some people are turning to regional hubs. Buy your meds from Canada or Mexico and have them shipped to a friend in a border town. Then drive across to pick them up. No customs, no fees. It’s legal as long as you’re not reselling. Others are using pharmacy savings programs like GoodRx or RxHope. These can cut U.S. prices by 70%. For some drugs, they’re now cheaper than ordering overseas - even with duty.What Happens If You Get Caught?
If customs catches you with unapproved meds, they can:- Seize the package
- Send you a warning letter
- Impose a fine (rare for personal use)
- Block future shipments
Bottom Line: What You Need to Do Now
If you’re still planning to use international mail-order for medication:- Only buy from verified pharmacies with VIPPS or equivalent licenses
- Order only 3-month supplies or less
- Get a prescription or doctor’s note
- Use DHL, FedEx, or UPS - not USPS
- Fill out a real commercial invoice with HS code and exact value
- Expect to pay $80-$200 in duty per shipment
- Only do it for essential, high-cost meds - not vitamins or supplements
Can I still buy insulin from Canada by mail in 2025?
Yes, but only if you follow the new rules. You must use a licensed Canadian pharmacy, declare the true value on a commercial invoice, include the correct HS code (3004.90), and use a carrier like FedEx or DHL. You’ll pay a $80-$200 duty fee depending on the method used. The FDA allows personal importation of insulin if it’s for your own use and you have a prescription.
Why did the U.S. eliminate the $800 duty-free limit?
The U.S. government says it was to level the playing field for American businesses and collect lost tax revenue. In 2024, over $187 billion in goods entered the U.S. duty-free under the old rule. Much of it came from e-commerce sellers who didn’t pay sales tax or tariffs. The change was also part of a broader trade policy shift to control cross-border e-commerce and protect domestic industries.
Are there any countries I should avoid when ordering medication?
Avoid pharmacies based in China, Russia, Nigeria, and Southeast Asian countries with weak regulatory oversight. These are common sources of counterfeit drugs. In 2024, the WHO estimated that 1 in 10 medical products in low-income countries were fake. Even if a site looks professional, if it doesn’t have a verifiable license, physical address, or contact info, don’t trust it.
What happens if my package is seized by customs?
Your package will be held and you’ll receive a notice from U.S. Customs. You can either pay the owed duties and taxes to release it, or let it be destroyed. If you believe the seizure was wrong (e.g., you declared the correct value), you can file a formal protest with CBP within 180 days. But if you lied about the value or didn’t include required documents, your chances of getting it back are low.
Can I use USPS to send medication overseas?
No. Since September 1, 2025, the U.S. Postal Service no longer accepts commercial shipments of medication to the U.S. from abroad. They only handle personal letters and gifts under $100. For any medication purchase, you must use a private carrier like DHL, FedEx, or UPS that has customs brokerage capabilities.
Is it legal to order medication from Mexico by car instead of mail?
Yes. If you live near the border, you can drive into Mexico, buy your medication at a licensed pharmacy, and bring it back for personal use. You’re allowed to bring in up to a 90-day supply without declaring it, as long as it’s not a controlled substance. This avoids all customs fees and paperwork. Many Americans use this method for insulin, cholesterol meds, and pain relievers.
