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Getting Started
How ForwardMe works, your US and Turkey addresses, membership plans and account settings.
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Your Address & Receiving
Using your suite number, when packages appear in your account, Expected Packages and mail.
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Storage, Consolidation & Packing
Free storage periods, combining packages, packing add-ons and repacking.
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Personal Shopper
When to use Personal Shopper, fees, order statuses, cancellations and refunds.
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Shipping Rates & Options
Estimating costs, why a quote can be higher, carriers, transit times and address changes.
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Tracking & Delivery
Tracking statuses, carrier hubs, customs holds, lost or damaged packages and insurance.
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Customs, Duties & Taxes
DDP vs DDU, estimating duties, customs paperwork and duty questions.
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Restricted & Prohibited Items
What we can and can't ship, batteries, flammables and what happens to flagged packages.
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Payments, Refunds & Returns
Payment methods, checkout issues, refund timing and returns to sellers.
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Buying Apple Products: What to Know Before You Order
Short answer: You may place an Apple order yourself and use your ForwardMe US delivery address, or use Personal Shopper if you would like our team to make the purchase. No retailer or delivery address can guarantee that an order will not be canceled, because each order is reviewed under the seller's own policies. Your purchase options Order directly from Apple You may place an order yourself on the official Apple website and enter your ForwardMe US delivery address at checkout. This option does not include a Personal Shopper service fee. Apple makes the final decision on whether to accept, verify, ship, or cancel an order. Using a package-forwarding address does not guarantee approval, and ForwardMe cannot bypass a retailer's order-verification process. Use Personal Shopper With Personal Shopper, you submit a Personal Shopper order in your ForwardMe account with the product link and complete item details, such as model, color, storage capacity, and any relevant options. Our team purchases the item on your behalf after the order is submitted. Personal Shopper includes the applicable service and payment-processing fees shown for the order. Review the total carefully before submitting. About cancellations and refunds Retailers may cancel orders for many reasons, including stock availability, payment review, billing and delivery details, or their own fraud-prevention policies. We cannot predict or guarantee the outcome of a specific order. If a retailer cancels an order, refund timing is determined by the retailer and your payment provider. Please contact the retailer or your card issuer for the most accurate refund-status information. Can you recommend a retailer that guarantees approval? No. We cannot recommend a retailer as a guaranteed way to avoid cancellations. Retailer policies, inventory, and verification checks can change at any time. For new Apple products, the official Apple website is the appropriate direct-purchase option. If you prefer our team to place the order, Personal Shopper is available with the applicable fees. Before you place an order - Confirm that the exact model, color, storage capacity, and other options are correct. - Review the item price, applicable taxes, and all displayed fees. - Keep your order confirmation and any retailer communication. - Do not rely on a cancellation percentage or an informal recommendation as a guarantee of approval. - If you have a question about using Personal Shopper, contact support before submitting your order. Still need help? Our support team is available on weekdays from 09:00 to 17:00 ET at [email protected].
๐ Shipping Rates & OptionsDimensional weight: how box size affects your shipping price
Short answer: Couriers charge for the space a box takes up, not only for what it weighs. They work out a dimensional weight from the box's length, width and height, compare it with the actual weight, and bill the higher of the two. Each courier uses its own divisor, so the same box can have a different dimensional weight with each one. What dimensional weight is A plane or truck fills up by space as well as by weight. A large box of pillows weighs little but takes the room of a much heavier parcel, so couriers price it as if it were heavier. That's why every shipment has two weights: - Actual weight: what the package weighs on a scale. - Dimensional weight: a weight worked out from the box's size. The courier bills whichever is higher. We call that the billable weight. How it's calculated Multiply the box's three sides in inches, then divide by the courier's divisor: Length ร Width ร Height รท divisor = dimensional weight in pounds We measure every package when it arrives at our warehouse, so you don't need to measure anything yourself. The billable weight is then rounded up to the next whole pound for every courier except APC. Divisors by courier The divisor is what makes the difference between couriers. A higher divisor gives a lower dimensional weight, which is better for you. | Courier | Divisor | What it means for a bulky box | |---|---|---| | UPS | 200 | Lowest dimensional weight of our couriers | | DHL | 166 | In the middle | | FedEx | 166 | In the middle | | Aramex | 139 | Highest dimensional weight โ bulky boxes cost more | These divisors come from our agreements with each courier, so they can differ from the numbers on a courier's own website. For our other couriers, compare the price shown at checkout. A worked example Take a box that measures 20 ร 16 ร 12 inches and weighs 6 lb on the scale. Its volume is 3,840 cubic inches. | Courier | Dimensional weight | Billable weight | |---|---|---| | UPS (รท 200) | 19.2 lb | 20 lb | | DHL, FedEx (รท 166) | 23.1 lb | 24 lb | | Aramex (รท 139) | 27.6 lb | 28 lb | The box weighs 6 lb, but with every courier it's billed on its size. The same box costs 20 lb with UPS and 28 lb with Aramex, so comparing couriers matters most for light, bulky shipments. How to lower your dimensional weight - Ask us to repack. Stores often ship small items in large boxes full of filler. A better-fitting box can cut the dimensional weight sharply. See "Repacking and removing items". - Be careful when combining bulky items. Consolidating usually saves money, but one large item can push the whole box into a higher dimensional weight. See "Consolidating packages: how to request it, how long it takes and what it costs". - Compare couriers at checkout. For a light, bulky box, the courier with the highest divisor often gives the lowest price. See "Carriers and shipping services we use". - Check before you buy. If a product page lists the box size, you can estimate the dimensional weight before you order. See "Estimating your shipping cost and delivery time". Common questions My item is light. Why am I paying for so much weight? Because the box is big. When the dimensional weight is higher than the actual weight, the courier bills the dimensional weight. Asking us to repack into a smaller box is usually the quickest fix. Why does the same package have a different weight with each courier? Each courier divides the box's volume by a different number. A higher divisor gives a lower dimensional weight, so the billable weight can change from one courier to the next. Do I need to measure my package? No. We measure and weigh every package when it arrives at our warehouse, and your quote uses those measurements. Is the billable weight rounded? Yes. It's rounded up to the next whole pound for every courier except APC. See "Weight and size limits for shipments". Still need help? Our support team is available on weekdays from 09:00 to 17:00 ET at [email protected].
๐ Tracking & DeliveryShipping insurance: what it costs and what it covers
Short answer: Shipping insurance is optional and costs $3 for every $100 of declared value, up to $5,000 per shipment. It's provided by a third-party insurer, EasyPost, Inc. Without insurance, major carriers cover up to $100, excluding the shipping cost. What it costs and what it covers How insurance works You can add insurance at checkout when you create your shipment. The coverage comes from EasyPost, Inc., a third-party insurer. ForwardMe acts as the intermediary: we help you file a claim and coordinate it with the insurer, but the insurer reviews the claim and decides the outcome. The full conditions are in Article VIII of our terms: https://www.forwardme.com/terms#article-8 What it costs | Declared value | Insurance cost | |---|---| | $100 | $3 | | $500 | $15 | | $1,000 | $30 | | $5,000 (maximum) | $150 | The price is $3 for every $100 of the total declared value of your shipment. There's no free first $100, and the maximum coverage is $5,000 per shipment. Pack it well. Poor packing is an exclusion, so make sure items can't move inside the box, pad them properly and avoid reusing an old shipping box. Tip: declare the real value of your items. Insurance is based on the declared value, and misdeclaration is one of the reasons a claim can be refused. What isn't covered Some items can't be insured, and some situations aren't covered even when the item is. | Items that aren't covered | Situations that aren't covered | |---|---| | Coins, bullion, jewelry and precious stones | Insufficient or incorrect packing by the sender | | Currency, negotiable instruments and securities | Cosmetic damage to the packaging when the merchandise is undamaged | | Perishables | Packages signed for by the recipient | | Shipments to OFAC-sanctioned countries | Seizure or destruction by customs | | Lottery and event tickets | Delay or deterioration | | Consignment goods | Misdeclaration | | Loose diamonds, stones and rock slabs | Parcels with no carrier acceptance scan | | | A package that's refused or abandoned because duties weren't paid or customs paperwork wasn't provided | What insurance covers Insurance covers a shipment that is lost, damaged or stolen after it enters the carrier's network: - Lost: the package started tracking but never got a delivery scan. - Damaged: it was delivered, but the contents are damaged. - Stolen: there is a delivery scan, but the recipient never received the package. A claim of this kind needs proof of theft, such as a police report. Each kind has its own filing deadline and evidence. See "Lost or damaged shipment: how to file a claim". If you don't add insurance Without insurance, major carriers (FedEx, UPS and DHL) cover loss or damage up to $100, excluding the shipping cost. Any case is reported through the carrier. Our own liability for an uninsured shipment is limited too โ see our Terms. So if your items are worth more than the carrier's limit, insurance is the way to protect their full value. If something goes wrong If an insured shipment arrives damaged or goes missing, you need to act quickly and provide detailed evidence. See "Lost or damaged shipment: how to file a claim" for the steps and the documents you'll need. Common questions Is the first $100 covered for free? Not by insurance. Insurance costs $3 for every $100 of declared value, starting from the first dollar. Without insurance, major carriers cover up to $100, excluding shipping. Who pays out my claim, ForwardMe or the insurer? The insurer, EasyPost, Inc., reviews and decides claims. We coordinate the claim for you as the intermediary. Can I insure jewelry? No. Jewelry, precious stones, coins and bullion are excluded from coverage. Is the packaging covered if it's dented but the items are fine? No. Cosmetic damage to the packaging is not covered when the merchandise itself is undamaged. What's the most I can insure? Up to $5,000 per shipment. Still need help? Our support team is available on weekdays from 09:00 to 17:00 ET at [email protected].
๐ฌ Your Address & ReceivingWhen a courier can't deliver a package to our warehouse
Short answer: Our warehouse doesn't refuse deliveries. The one exception is an international package arriving from abroad where the courier asks us to pay import duty: we contact you first and accept the package once you approve and pay. Couriers make 3 delivery attempts. We accept every delivery Packages addressed to you at our warehouse are received as they arrive. We don't turn packages away, and we can't refuse a single package on request, for example when a seller asks you to refuse it for a refund. If you want to send something back, see "Returning a package to a US seller". The exception: import duty on inbound international packages Sometimes a package is sent to our warehouse from another country, and the courier asks for import duty to be paid before it hands the package over. We don't pay these charges automatically. Instead: 1. We contact you and tell you what the courier is asking for. 2. You approve and pay the amount. 3. We accept the package and log it into your account as usual. Reply as soon as you can, because the courier makes 3 delivery attempts. If the courier says it couldn't deliver Couriers make 3 delivery attempts, and a missed attempt usually shows up in the courier's tracking. Our US warehouse works 09:00โ17:00 EST and our Turkey warehouse works 09:00โ17:00 Turkey time, on weekdays only. If the tracking shows a failed attempt, check that the address on the label matches the address in your account, and contact the courier or the seller if something looks wrong. Let us know if you need help. Packages without a suite number A missing suite number doesn't stop a delivery, but it can stop the package reaching your account quickly. It may be logged to an "Unknown" account, which causes delays. There's no fee to match it to you. To help us find it: - Open Expected Packages in your account. - Add the tracking number and a short description of the contents. Always put your suite number in Address Line 2 when you enter your ForwardMe address. Common questions Can you refuse a package the seller asked me to refuse? No. Our warehouse doesn't refuse deliveries. Once it's in your account, you can start a return. The courier wants import duty for a package sent from abroad. What happens? We contact you. The package is accepted once you approve and pay the amount. How many times will the courier try to deliver? The courier makes 3 delivery attempts. Tracking says delivered but my package isn't in my account. Is that the same thing? No. Delivered packages are logged within 24 hours at the latest, usually the same day. See "My package shows as delivered but isn't in my account yet". I forgot my suite number. Will the delivery be refused? No. It may go to an "Unknown" account. Add it under Expected Packages so we can match it quickly, at no charge. Still need help? Our support team is available on weekdays from 09:00 to 17:00 ET at [email protected].
๐ Shipping Rates & OptionsWhy your shipping quote is higher than expected, and how to lower it
Short answer: Shipping is priced on the package's billable weight, which is the higher of its actual weight and its size-based (dimensional) weight, rounded up to the next pound. Remote-area fees, carrier surcharges and add-ons can add to that. Combining packages, asking about a smaller box and checking what you've selected at checkout are the best ways to lower it. What makes a shipping quote go up 1. Dimensional weight Couriers bill the higher of two weights: - Actual weight: what the package weighs on a scale. - Dimensional weight: a weight calculated from the box's length, width and height. A small, light item in a big box is billed by the box, not the item. That's why a light pillow or a pair of shoes in the store's oversized carton can cost more than you'd expect. 2. Rounding up We round weight up to the next whole pound for every courier except APC. A 2.3 lb package is billed as 3 lb. The rounding always goes up, never down. 3. Remote-area fees Couriers charge extra to deliver to some remote or rural addresses. The fee varies by courier and is typically $40โ$50. You'll see whether your address is in a remote area when you add it to your account, and you can also use the "Check remote area" button in our shipping calculator. 4. Carrier risk and demand surcharges Carriers such as DHL, UPS and FedEx add surcharges for some destinations, for example areas they class as elevated-risk or high-demand. The carrier sets these amounts and changes them often. If one applies to your shipment, it's shown at checkout before you pay. 5. Add-ons you selected Extras you choose at checkout, such as extra protection, invoice removal or faster handling, are added to your total. For the full list and prices, see "Packing add-ons: extra protection, invoice removal and faster handling". Consolidation also has a per-package fee on the Free and Premium plans. See "Consolidating packages: how to request it, how long it takes and what it costs". How to lower your shipping cost - Combine packages. One box usually costs less than several separate shipments. If one item is very bulky, though, combining can raise the dimensional weight, and our team may recommend shipping it separately. - Ask about a smaller box. If a store packed a small item in a large box, contact our support team before you ship and ask whether it can be repacked to reduce the size. - Compare couriers and services. Prices differ between couriers and between DDP and DDU options. Check each option shown at checkout. - Check your add-ons. Remove any extras you don't need. - Check the weight you entered. If you're using the calculator, a typo in the weight or dimensions can change the quote a lot. Common questions Shouldn't 2.3 lb round down to 2 lb? No. We always round up to the next whole pound, for every courier except APC. My item is tiny, so why is the quote so high? It's probably the box. Couriers bill by size when the dimensional weight is higher than the actual weight. Contact support to ask about a smaller box. Is the remote-area fee something I can remove? No. The courier charges it to deliver to that address. You can check it before you ship. Why is there a surcharge for my country? Some carriers add risk or demand surcharges for certain destinations. The amount is set by the carrier and shown at checkout. Still need help? Our support team is available on weekdays from 09:00 to 17:00 ET at [email protected].
๐ณ Payments, Refunds & ReturnsAccepted payment methods
Short answer: You can pay with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, Apple Pay or Google Pay. All charges are in US dollars (USD), and refunds reach your card or PayPal within 1โ3 days. Payment methods we accept | Method | Notes | |---|---| | Visa | Credit and debit cards | | Mastercard | Credit and debit cards | | American Express | Credit cards | | PayPal | PayPal accounts | | Apple Pay | Safari and iOS devices | | Google Pay | Chrome and Android devices | You can use these methods to pay for your membership, your shipments and any optional extras. You don't need a US card We accept cards issued in any country, as long as they're Visa, Mastercard or American Express. Your card doesn't need to come from a US bank. Why every charge is in US dollars All ForwardMe prices and charges are in USD, wherever you live. If your card or account uses another currency, your bank or payment provider converts the amount at its exchange rate on the day of the payment. We don't add a currency conversion fee, but your bank may charge its own foreign transaction fee. If you're not sure, ask your card issuer. Tip: a card or account without foreign transaction fees gives you the best effective rate. If your payment is declined 1. Check your details. Make sure the card number, expiry date and billing details are correct. 2. Check your balance or limit. The card or account needs enough funds or credit for the full amount. 3. Ask your bank. Some banks block international or online payments by default. Your bank can approve the payment. 4. Try another method. For example, PayPal instead of a card. If it still doesn't work, contact our support team and tell us which method you used and what message you saw. Refunds Refunds go back to the payment method you used. Once we've issued a refund, it reaches your card or PayPal within 1โ3 days. Your bank may show the refunded amount in your local currency, so it can differ slightly from the original charge because of exchange rates. Problem with a charge? If you think a charge is wrong, email [email protected] with the invoice or charge details and allow 15 business days for us to look into it and put it right. Our Terms (ยง7.8) ask you to do this before you raise a chargeback with your bank. A chargeback raised without giving us that chance can cost you the disputed amount plus fees, and can lead to your account being suspended. Writing to us first is faster and usually settles it. If a balance is unpaid, it holds up your shipments, and if it stays unpaid your packages may eventually be returned or disposed of. Contact our support team if there's a problem โ we'd rather work it out with you than leave a package waiting. Common questions I don't recognise a charge. What should I do? Email [email protected] with the details and give us 15 business days. Please do that before contacting your bank. Can I pay with a card from outside the US? Yes, as long as it's a Visa, Mastercard or American Express card. Why does my bank statement show a different amount? We charge in USD. Your bank converts it to your currency and may add its own foreign transaction fee. How long does a refund take? Once we issue it, 1โ3 days to reach your card or PayPal. My card was declined. What should I do? Check the card details and balance, ask your bank to approve the payment, or try another method. Contact us if it still fails. Still need help? Our support team is available on weekdays from 09:00 to 17:00 ET at [email protected].