Puerto Rico Shipping

Payments + Shipping & Fulfilment

Topic summary

A merchant selling gourmet cookies to Puerto Rico is experiencing critical shipping disruptions. Previously, USPS Ground Advantage delivered orders on time to Puerto Rico as a domestic destination.

Recent Changes:

  • Starting February 15, Shopify began requiring HS codes (typically for international shipments) for Puerto Rico orders
  • Despite purchasing standard Ground Advantage labels, delivery times have extended dramatically to 2-3 weeks instead of normal timeframes

Business Impact:

  • Two large orders from repeat customers were refunded on February 22
  • The merchant states they may need to shut down if the issue isn’t resolved, as Puerto Rico represents a significant customer base
  • Perishable products (cookies) cannot sustain 3-week delivery windows

Core Issue:
Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory and should be treated as domestic shipping, not international. The merchant urgently needs Shopify to restore proper domestic shipping functionality for this region.

Summarized with AI on October 31. AI used: claude-sonnet-4-5-20250929.
1

I was shipping my gourmet cookies to Puerto Rico with No issues just with USPS Ground Advantage and orders were deliver on time for customers. On Feb 15, i was going to do my first order and it ask for HS code ( which is international) . Puerto Rico ( US territory)has been always domestic . I asked for support and was provided with HS code for baked goods pastries and was able to print my label. I purchased the Ground Advantage label as always, when i look later at the tracking number delivery is set for March 2. I also had a second order submitted for shipping Feb. 20 and also after receiving the delivery date is also in March 8. Three weeks for cookis too be deliver.

Puerto Rico is domestic. If shopify don’t solved this issue, I will have to shutdown business. I have a lot customers from Puerto Rico. And today feb. 22 had two refund two large orders from frequent customers.

I can’t provide a service if i cant deliver on time. Need assistance right away. It takes a lot to gain customers to loose them in a second.