What International Buyers Should Know Before Ordering
The United States aftermarket offers a broad selection of shocks, struts, and suspension upgrades. However, ordering these products internationally requires more planning than placing a domestic order.
Shipping costs can vary by destination, package size, weight, and carrier. Your country may also collect customs duties, taxes, or brokerage fees. Product availability and customs processing can add more time before the parts arrive.
Fitment requires extra attention, too. ShockWarehouse’s catalog covers standard consumer vehicles sold in the United States. A vehicle sold elsewhere may use different suspension components, even when its model name looks familiar.
This guide explains international shipping for shocks and struts before you reach checkout. It covers shipping quotes, customs fees, delivery timing, address restrictions, final-sale policies, and fitment verification.
Why International Shipping Doesn’t Have One Flat Rate
Suspension parts vary significantly in size and weight. A conventional rear shock may fit inside a narrow box. A complete strut assembly, coilover, or heavy suspension kit requires considerably more space.
The final shipping cost can depend on:
- The number of products in the order
- The weight and dimensions of each package
- The destination country and postal code
- The available carrier service
- Remote-area or oversized-package charges
- The selected delivery speed
ShockWarehouse uses FedEx, UPS, USPS, and DHL for international shipping. However, not every service is available for every address or product.
Add your parts to the cart and enter your complete address during checkout. The available shipping services and rates should appear after the system validates your destination.
Should You Order the Full Set Together?
Combining the necessary parts into a single order may be more practical than placing several small orders. Each separate shipment can incur additional carrier charges and require a separate customs clearance process.
However, one order doesn’t guarantee one package. Products may ship from different warehouses or manufacturers. Large components may also require separate boxes because of carrier size and weight limits.
💡 Tip: If the shipping quote looks unusually high, stop before paying. Contact ShockWarehouse with the part numbers, quantities, and destination for help.
Customs Duties Aren’t Included in Your Shipping Quote
The international shipping charge covers transportation. It doesn’t include all the amounts your country may collect when the shipment arrives.
Your destination country may require:
- Customs duties
- Import taxes
- Value-added tax or goods and services tax
- Brokerage or customs clearance fees
- Other government or carrier charges
These fees are set outside ShockWarehouse. The receiver is responsible for paying them. ShockWarehouse doesn’t include these amounts in the international shipping quote.
ShockWarehouse also can’t estimate the fees for your specific order. Rates depend on the destination, product classification, shipment value, and local regulations.
Contact your local customs office before ordering if the possible amount will affect your decision. A customs broker may also help with larger commercial or shop orders.
How to Handle a Customs Payment Request
The carrier may contact you when customs fees are due. However, fraudulent delivery and customs messages are common. Don’t immediately pay through an unfamiliar link.
Instead, enter your tracking number on the carrier’s official website. You can also call the carrier using its published customer service number.
ShockWarehouse won’t reduce the declared value or mislabel the package contents. Customs paperwork must accurately reflect the products and order value.
⚠️ Important: Refusing customs fees or delivery won’t create a refundable return. ShockWarehouse considers a refused international shipment delivered.
Processing Time and Transit Time Are Different
International delivery involves more than the time shown beside a carrier service. Two separate timelines determine when your parts arrive.
Timeline One: Order Processing
Processing time covers everything required before the package enters the carrier’s network. The product must be located, picked, packed, labeled, and prepared for international shipment.
An available product may come from a ShockWarehouse facility, an affiliated warehouse, a distributor, or a manufacturer. Therefore, every product won’t necessarily leave from the same location.
Some products must be ordered from the manufacturer first. These special-order suspension parts typically require additional processing time. The current special-order policy states that many such items ship within 5 to 10 business days.
That estimate isn’t a guarantee. Custom-valved shocks, unusual coilovers, Nivomat products, and specialty applications may require additional time.
Timeline Two: Carrier Transit and Customs
Transit time begins after the carrier receives the package. It doesn’t begin when you submit the order.
Customs processing can add more time after the package reaches the destination country. ShockWarehouse and the shipping carrier can’t control how long a customs authority holds a shipment.
Expedited shipping may reduce carrier transit time after pickup. It doesn’t necessarily shorten the manufacturer's or warehouse's processing time.
| Shipping Stage | What It Covers |
|---|---|
| Processing time | Locating, routing, picking, packing, and preparing the order |
| Ship date | The date the package enters the carrier’s network |
| Transit time | The carrier’s estimated transportation time after pickup |
| Customs processing | Review, duty assessment, and release by the destination country |
| Estimated delivery | The carrier’s current estimate, which may change during transit |
🔧 Tip: Don’t schedule installation until every package has arrived. Inspect the parts and confirm all part numbers before booking an independent shop.
Why an International Address May Fail at Checkout
A rejected address doesn’t always mean ShockWarehouse can’t ship to your area. However, the address must meet the carrier’s requirements.
P.O. Boxes Aren’t Accepted
UPS and FedEx can’t deliver ShockWarehouse orders to a P.O. box. Enter a complete physical street address instead.
The location should be accessible to the carrier and suitable for receiving a large package. Include any apartment, building, suite, unit, or business information.
The Carrier May Not Serve the Destination
Some rural areas, islands, and restricted locations fall outside a carrier’s normal delivery network. Other destinations may only support certain shipping services.
If checkout doesn’t produce a shipping option, don’t keep entering different addresses. Contact ShockWarehouse so the team can review the actual destination and available services.
United States Territories May Process Differently
Guam, Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, and similar territories can require different carrier routing. A checkout system may process these locations differently than it does the continental states.
Enter the complete territory, postal code, and physical street address. If validation fails, contact ShockWarehouse before placing the order.
Verify Fitment Before Shipping Shocks Overseas
International fitment deserves more attention because international orders are final. ShockWarehouse’s online applications cover standard consumer vehicles sold in the United States.
Vehicles originally sold elsewhere may use different suspension components. This issue commonly affects:
- Right-hand-drive vehicles
- European-market models
- Japanese domestic market vehicles
- Military or fleet configurations
- Gray-market imports
- Market-specific truck and SUV models
- Vehicles with suspension modifications
Two vehicles can share a model name and still use different shocks. Differences may include ride height, mounting style, axle configuration, electronic damping, or spring design.
Information to Gather Before Ordering
Send the following details when requesting fitment help:
- Vehicle year, make, model, and trim
- Engine and drivetrain
- Vehicle identification number, when helpful
- Country where the vehicle was originally sold
- Left-hand-drive or right-hand-drive configuration
- Lift, leveling, lowering, or suspension modifications
- Part numbers printed on the current shocks or struts
- Clear photos of the upper and lower mounts
For a motorhome, include the chassis manufacturer and model. The coachbuilder’s name usually isn’t enough to identify the correct suspension parts.
ShockWarehouse can compare your information with catalogs from brands such as Bilstein, FOX, KYB, Monroe, KONI, and Rancho.
However, ShockWarehouse can’t guarantee fitment for vehicles originally sold outside the United States retail market. Confirming the manufacturer’s part number is essential before ordering.
⚠️ Fitment Reminder: Don’t select a shock using appearance alone. Matching mounts don’t guarantee the correct length, valving, load rating, or suspension compatibility.
International Orders Are Final Sale
ShockWarehouse doesn’t accept returns for international orders. This rule also applies to vehicles originally sold outside the United States retail market.
International return freight, customs processing, and re-import requirements can become expensive. Parts may also return with damaged packaging that prevents resale.
Review the complete ShockWarehouse return policy before submitting your order. You should verify every part number, quantity, and installation position first.
What If You Cancel Before International Shipment?
Cancellation options depend on the order’s status and product type. A non-stock product canceled before international shipment may have a 10% restocking fee.
Custom-valved shocks and certain special-order products may be subject to stricter rules. Contact ShockWarehouse immediately if you need to request a cancellation. Cancellation requests must be made by phone.
What About Manufacturer Warranty Coverage?
International final-sale rules don’t automatically remove a manufacturer’s product warranty. However, warranty claims and ordinary returns aren’t the same process.
The manufacturer may require photographs, purchase records, part numbers, or inspection of the product. International shipping costs may also affect how the claim proceeds.
Review the ShockWarehouse warranty information before ordering if warranty logistics are important. Ask how the process applies to the specific brand and destination.
International Order Checklist
- Verify fitment. Confirm the exact manufacturer part numbers for your market-specific vehicle.
- Check the quantity. Determine whether each listing includes one shock, a pair, or a complete set.
- Use a physical address. Don’t enter a P.O. box for a UPS or FedEx shipment.
- Review the shipping quote. Enter the complete address and compare the available services.
- Budget for customs. Duties, taxes, and brokerage fees aren’t included in ShockWarehouse’s quote.
- Confirm availability. Contact the team if the vehicle is off the road or timing is critical.
- Allow processing time. Expedited transit doesn’t eliminate warehouse or manufacturer preparation.
- Plan for customs delays. Customs authorities control the timing of inspection and release.
- Review final-sale terms. International orders can’t be returned.
- Wait before installation. Inspect every package before scheduling work with an independent installer.
Order International Suspension Parts With Confidence
International shipping for shocks and struts doesn’t have to feel unpredictable. The key is separating the shipping quote from customs costs. You should also separate processing time from the carrier’s estimated transit time.
Before ordering, review ShockWarehouse’s complete international shipping policy. You can also learn more about the business through the ShockWarehouse company information page.
Need help confirming fitment, availability, or an international address? Contact ShockWarehouse before you buy. Call 1-954-202-6229 or 1-800-245-7469, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. You can also email customerservice@shockwarehouse.com. Send your vehicle details, destination, and part numbers so ShockWarehouse can help you choose the right suspension parts before they cross the border.
