Frequently asked questions
1. Why to I need ShopUSA address
Many sellers in the USA, for example on eBay, do not ship outside the US.
1. How much does it cost ?
Use the calculator on top of the page to get exact pricing information:
a) enter the price of the product (see A in the picture below)
b) select the product category from the drop-down list (see B below)
c) click on “Calculate”
The calculator will then show:
d) the total cost of getting the product from ShopUSA to your local address (see D above)
e) the total cost of the product, including purchase price and forwarding cost (A + D), see E above.
2. Which category should I select?
Select the category that best reflects your product. ShopUSA may later correct your category if your selection was not correct. The category is the base for calculating shipping cost, toll, VAT and/or sales tax which is paid in your local country.
If you are in doubt, you can send email to Service@ShopUSA.com and we will tell you which category to select.
3. How do I get started?
a) Click on ”New user” and get your unique suite number. You only have to do this once.
b) Every time you buy a product in the USA, ask the seller to ship your product to your unique ShopUSA address which is:
Your name (e.g. John Smith)
ShopUSA
Address1 1424 Baker Road
Address2: Suite xxxx (your unique suite number)
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Tel 757 641 3696
c) Every time you have a product sent to ShopUSA, you must remember to register your product at ShopUSA.com. Click on the red “Register” button on top of the page to register a shipment
4. How does the weight and volume affect the forwarding cost?
ShopUSA simplifies your shopping. You don’t have to think about kilos or pounds. Volume only affects very large shipments (larger than 0,5 cubic meters). Your forwarding cost is based on the price of your product and product category.
5. How long time will it take to get my shipment?
On average, air shipments will take 7 – 10 days and ocean shipments 4 – 6 weeks.
6. Will my product be shipped via air or ocean?
All shipments where each side is shorter than 50 cm are sent via air cargo. Larger shipments are sent via ocean unless otherwise instructed.
7. Can I have larger shipments sent via air instead of ocean?
Yes, you can have larger shipments sent via air. The cost is USD 400 per cubic meter.
Examples:
Shipment which is 100 cm x 100 cm x 100 cm = 1,0 cubic meter costs $400 extra via air
Shipment which is 50 cm x 50 cm x 200 cm = 0,5 cubic meter costs $200 extra via air
Weight does not affect the forwarding cost.
8. What is the extra cost for very large shipments sent via ocean?
Shipments which are less than 0,5 cubic meter are sent without any extra charge. If the shipment is larger than 0,5 cubic meter, then the additional cost is USD 200 per cubic meter.
Examples:
Shipment which is 100 cm x 100 cm x 50 cm = 0,5 cubic meter is sent without any extra charge.
Shipment which is 100 cm x 100 cm x 150 cm = 1,5 cubic meter costs $200 extra in ocean freight.
Weight does not affect the forwarding cost.
9.
Is all other cost included?
Yes, the calculator tells you your total forwarding cost, including receiving cost at ShopUSA, shipping cost, VAT, toll, and delivery in your local country.
10. Is VAT included?
Yes, VAT (or sales tax) in your local country is included in the calculator.
11. When do I pay ?
You pay the seller of the product in the USA directly. When you register the shipment with ShopUSA you enter your credit card information. ShopUSA will not charge your credit card until after the product has been received in the ShopUSA warehouse. ShopUSA will not charge your credit card if the product does not arrive for any reason.
12. To where should the seller ship my product?
Use your unique ShopUSA address every time you buy a product in the USA. Your address is:
Your name (e.g. John Smith)
ShopUSA
Suite xxxx (your unique suite number)
1424 Baker Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23455
Tel 757 641 3696
VA stands for Virginia, which is the state. 23455 is the zip-code (postal code). You will get your unique suite number when you register as a new user.
Please make sure to always include your "Suite number". This way you can speed up your delivery.
13. How long time will it take to get my shipment?
On average, air shipments will take 7 – 10 days, ocean shipments 4 – 6 weeks.
14. Can I return my product back to the seller ?
Most often you can return your product to a seller in the USA. Please check the seller’s terms on conditions before you buy the product.
15. Can I buy products from any seller?
Yes, you can use your ShopUSA address to receive products from any seller in the USA, both companies and individuals. You will find a list of the most popular sellers in the left column. Please make sure that it is legal to import the product to your local country.
16. Can I track my shipment?
Yes, you can at any time track your shipment by clicking on the blue “Track” button on top of the page. There you have a list of all the shipments you have registered at ShopUSA, which shipments have been received in the ShopUSA warehouse, when delivery is estimated at your local address, etc.
Most US sellers will also send you tracking number for domestic couriers. At the ShopUSA tracking page you will find links to a few couriers, including FedEx, DHL and UPS. There you can check when your shipment will arrive at the ShopUSA warehouse.
17. What happens if I forget to register my shipment at ShopUSA?
If you forget to register your product, ShopUSA will not be able to forward your shipment. ShopUSA will store your shipment for 30 days. Meanwhile, the ShopUSA service department will try to notify you via email. You must then complete the registration. ShopUSA does not keep any credit card numbers on file.
Please remember to always register your shipment every time.
18. How can I be sure that I have successfully completed a purchase from a seller in the USA?
Most on-line stores will send you a confirmation via email, including details regarding your credit card transaction and sales receipt or invoice. If you do not receive such a confirmation, it is likely that your purchase did not go through and nothing will be shipped. Some US sellers do not accept foreign credit cards.
19. What do I need to be able to shop in the USA using ShopUSA?
· Computer linked to the Internet.
· Credit card
· Have your product shipped to your unique ShopUSA address
. Register your shipment with ShopUSA
20. How much are my local import duties?
All cost is included in the ShopUSA forwarding charge, including toll, VAT and sales tax. Import duties vary greatly depending on products and countries. Please contact your local tax authorities to get further information.
21. Will my shipment be delivered to my home or office ?
ShopUSA will deliver to the address you used when you registered as a new user. But you have the option to change the delivery address each time you register a shipment with ShopUSA.
22. What if my credit card is denied by a the US seller?
Some on-line retailers require you to use the same shipping and billing address. Check with your credit card issuer if you can add your ShopUSA address as your secondary billing address. Then register your ShopUSA address as both your shipping and billing address.
Some sellers will not accept any foreign credit cards and ask for money be wire-transferred via Western Union or other means. Please be careful and check if the seller is reliable, especially if it is an individual (on eBay for example)
Sometimes it is simply to cumbersome to buy from sellers that do not accept your credit card. You might find same or similar product from many different sellers. You can for example use www.mysimon.com to find other sellers.
23. What is Pay Pal?
See www.paypal.com
24. Can all products be shipped via air?
Most shipments are sent via air, see questions 6 and 7 above. A few products are not allowed in air cargo because they are hazardous material and can cause explosions. Those shipments will be sent via ocean.
25. Are all American products allowed in my home country?
Most products sold in the USA are legal in all the different countries around the world. But there are some important exemptions. Please check with your local authorities before your shipment. ShopUSA is not reliable if a shipment can not be imported to your local country, but you are still responsible for cost involved.
26. What about electric equipment designed for 110 voltage?
Most electric equipments in the USA are designed for 110 voltage. You may be able to use a converter if your local country uses different voltage. Some equipment are designed for 110 voltage and 220 – 240 voltage. This is often the case for smaller appliances and many computer products. Please bare this in mind before your shipment.
27. What about American televisions (NTSC)?
Most TVs sold in the USA are designed for the NTSC system, which is different from the PAL system used in most other countries. You will need a special converter to transfer NTSC signal to PAL signal, in order to be able to use NTSC TV in Europe for example.
28. What about DVDs ?
Most DVDs have copyright restrictions and can’t be used outside the copyright area.
29. What is FOB price?
FOB price is:
a) price of the product,
b) shipping cost within the USA to the ShopUSA warehouse (sometimes it is included in the price of the product)
c) sales tax in the USA (sometimes included in the USA)
Some countries base toll on FOB. For those countries you must register the FOB price at ShopUSA.
30. Directions to the ShopUSA warehouse, 1424 Baker Road, Virginia Beach, Virginia 23455:
All major couriers and the postal service are very familiar with ShopUSA. If needed you can use www.mapquest.com to get directions. Please note that the ShopUSA warehouse is only open during regular business hours.
Other questions
Send email to Service@ShopUSA.com if you have any questions. 
