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International Shipping

 
Notice regarding international shipments as of March 2024.

Unfortunately, at this time, many international postal services are suspended.
For a full list of countries, see the United States Postal Service website.  

For alternate shipping methods for these areas,
please use our contact form to submit a request for customer service. 


Flexible shipping options are part of why FamilyTreeDNA has a global database.

We ship kits to most international locations. Standard shipping is by DHL eCommerce International. There are some countries where shipping requires special processing.  

Standard International Shipping

For standard international shipping orders, FamilyTreeDNA uses DHL eCommerce. International orders can take several weeks to arrive depending on the delivery location. The combined shipping and handling charges for standard DHL shipping to most international locations are as follows:

  • Single kit (first kit) – $9.95 USD 
  • Additional Kit – $4.95 USD (per additional kit) A kit is considered to be an “additional kit” when the kit is purchased in addition to the “first kit” in the same order.

Example: If you order three kits with standard international shipping,  the shipping and handling cost is $19.85 ($9.95 + $4.95 + $4.95 = $19.85).

Please note that your kit is not shipped until the shipping and handling fee has been paid. 

Important: This is the cost for most international locations. Depending on your location, the cost might be higher.

International Shipping Times

International orders can take several weeks to arrive.

Important: Due to the high volume of orders during sales and holiday seasons, shipping times may be longer than normal as a result of internal delays and delays with DHL eCommerce. Please request next-day shipping if you need an order delivered prior to a holiday. Note that additional charges apply for next-day shipping. To request next-day shipping, contact Customer Support at (713) 868-1438 or Chat With Us, Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM CT. 

Expedited International Shipping

Once you have placed your order, you may request that it be shipped to you by Federal Express. 

International prices vary.

To upgrade shipping, please call Customer Service at (713) 868-1438 or Chat With Us, Monday through Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM CT, and make sure to have your kit number available. For international pricing, please have a physical address ready for a shipping price quote.

Important: As the shipping and handling fee covers the costs of materials and labor, expedited shipping fees are in addition to the standard $9.95 shipping and handling fee.

Note: Your kit number is included in the email that we sent to you after you placed your order online. 

International Return Shipment Costs  

Due to the wide range of international postage costs, international shipments do not include return postage. International customers must pay for their own return shipping. 

Countries Where We Cannot Ship 

The following countries have restrictions that prevent us from shipping DNA kits to them:

  • Afghanistan
  • Belarus
  • Bhutan
  • Brunei
  • Cuba
  • Haiti
  • Niue
  • France 
  • Iran
  • Kosovo
  • Russia
  • Somalia
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Ukraine
  • Yemen

Countries That Require Special Handling for Shipping

The following are countries that we know require special handling for shipping. Some of these countries have delays during shipping. 

Note: This list is only in regard to special handling for shipping and is not in regard to import tax or Value-Added Tax (VAT). 

  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Ecuador
  • Iraq
  • Mexico
  • Pakistan
  • Poland
  • Turkey

Countries That Require Special Handling when Returning Kits  

We are aware that in some or all cases the following countries will, at least part of the time, require special handling when customers return kits:

  • Brazil
  • Japan
  • Mexico
  • Saudi Arabia

Customs Declaration for Returning Kits 

The following information is for customers to give to Customs or Postal Services when returning their kit:

  • Weight - 2 oz.
  • Value to Declare - $2 USD
  • Description - Genealogy Kit* 

*Important: For customers in the following countries, your DNA kit includes "dry swabs" for testing purposes. For Customs Declaration, the contents that you are to declare are Endocervical Brushes—not lysis buffer and cotton swabs. 

  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Ecuador
  • Iraq
  • Mexico
  • Pakistan
  • Poland
  • Turkey

You can download the Lysis Buffer Vials or Dry Swabs Regulatory Letter by clicking one of the following: 

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