Frequently Asked Questions

Account Management

Answers to general questions about your Vyking Ship account.

Membership Fee

Answers to general questions about your Vyking Ship account.

Shipping Support

Answers to the most common shipping questions.

Payment & Fee

Answers to the most common Payment and Fee related questions.

Storage & Combining Service

Answers to the most common Payment and Fee related questions.

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Service Queries

Answers to common service related questions.

Others

Answers to common questions not covered above regarding your Vyking Ship parcel forwarding account

Here are some common questions about Vyking Ship parcel forwarding services.

What will my account address look like?

1. Your Name
2. 3260 Gorham Ave, Ste 400
3. Your Suite Number (also your account number)
4. St Louis Park, MN 55426

How soon after signing up can I start having packages shipped to my account address?

Once you have completed registration and verified your account, you will be given access to your unique account address. Please make sure all packages you have shipped to this address have your full name as it appears on your account and your unique suite number.

Can I receive letters?

You can receive letters but we are only allowed to consolidate and/or forward them to you. We are unable to open your mail (letter items) and scan or otherwise process the contents. All junk mail is immediately discarded on arrival.

What items should not be shipped?

We will take the greatest care in making sure your packages are packed as safely as possible. However, even with the best packing job ever, mistreatment by the shipping company may damage items. We highly recommend not shipping very fragile items or items that generally are very susceptible to damage during shipping (such as large TVs or large glass objects).


We are more than happy to give you our opinion as to how safely an item may be shipped internationally before you order the item or once it has arrived at our warehouse.

I just found out about the new membership system. Do I need to sign up for a paid plan?

When you next log into your account you will be prompted to select from one of the 3 account types. Paying for Gold or Platinum unlocks additional benefits like extended storage, lower package combination fees, and more flexible shipping options.

Account Management

Can I receive packages for other people?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions we get. Yes, you may receive packages for others but we will require you to email us 2 copies of their government issued photo ID beforehand. However, we will never ever allow anyone to receive letters that are addressed to someone else.

We suggest that they set up their own account to receive packages. If you want to receive their packages to combine with your own to save on postage, we highly recommend that you have them address all of their purchases to your name and account number to avoid any possible confusion.

Can I give my account to someone else?
For security reasons we cannot change the name of the account holder or email address on any account.
Can I ship packages to other addresses and other people?
You can add the new address by going to the ‘My Account’ page and clicking the ‘Add Address’ button found in the ‘Shipping Address’ section. Once you enter the new address, someone at Vyking Ship will need to review and approve it before it can be used. Once approved, you will be able to select it from the drop down list of your shipping addresses when you go to ship a package.
My friend and I have separate accounts. Can we combine packages from the two accounts?
For security reasons we do not allow the transfer of packages from one account to another.
Will my account address ever change? How will I know what it changes to?

In the course of our growth it may be necessary to move all operations to a much larger warehouse location for a variety of reasons. We understand the inconvenience this may pose to you especially since many people set up saved addresses with sellers they commonly purchase items from.

If it does become necessary to move to a new warehouse, (a) you will be given no less than a 30-day advanced notification, (b) your packages will be moved to that new location for free, (c) your account number will remain the same, and (d) your account will be updated to show your new address.

What is done with the personal documents that are sent to Vyking Ship?

We may request photo verification in some cases where our system or payment processor indicates a heightened level of risk involved with a payment or some aspect of your account. We will use this information for the sole purpose of verifying identity and will not share this information with any 3rd party or partner unless compelled by law to do so.

Do I need to fill out a Form 1583?

No. However if current policies change, they may be required in the future for normal account usage. We will give all of our customers as much notice as possible, if something changes, to avoid any delay in service.

Why will it not let me set up an account?
We currently do not offer service to a few select countries for legal reasons or reasons of risk. Residents of Minnesota USA are also not able to set up accounts for tax reasons. Our apologies to anyone who is affected by these restrictions.
How can I close my account?

To close your account, simply email our support staff (support@vykingship.com) from the email address used as your login and inform them of your account number and intent to close your account.

Please be aware that once deleted, you will have to setup a new account if you wish to use our services in the future. Additionally, any documents that you may have sent us will also be deleted, so we may ask for them again if needed.

Membership Fees

What are the membership levels and their fees?

Vyking Ship now offers three membership levels:

  • Basic (Free Account): No membership fee.

  • Gold ($50/year): Includes extended storage time, lower package combination fees, and the option for extra storage at a daily rate.

  • Platinum ($100/year): Includes the longest storage period, the lowest package combination fees, extra storage options, and access to an exclusive, more affordable shipping method.

How do I upgrade my membership?

You can upgrade to Gold or Platinum at any time by clicking the banner button, or from the Account page. 

Can I downgrade my membership?

Membership downgrades take effect at the end of the current billing period.

Can I cancel my membership?

Yes, you can cancel at any time through your account settings. However, cancellations take effect at the end of the current billing cycle, and refunds are not provided for unused time.

What happens if my membership expires?

If your membership expires, your account will revert to the Basic (Free Account) level, and you will lose any Gold or Platinum benefits, including extended storage time and discounted combination fees. You can re-upgrade at any time.

Why did Vyking Ship introduce membership levels?

Vyking Ship has maintained the same pricing for 10 years, but due to rising business costs, the introduction of membership levels allows us to maintain high service standards and improve our website. The new structure also provides greater flexibility and benefits for our customers.

Shipping Support

My package has not yet arrived and the estimated time of delivery has passed, what should I do?

We ask that you wait 2-3 days after the estimated delivery time has elapsed to inform us of the delay as the representatives of the shipping services will not generally begin inquiries until 3 or 4 days after the estimated shipping date has elapsed.

Most of the time, the package is simply delayed due to backups at Customs; especially during peak shopping/shipping season. Another thing to remember is that delivery estimates are quotes in business days, so holidays, weekends, and the day of shipment do not count towards estimated days of transit. It is also important to note that estimated times of delivery are just that, estimates

If you do contact us about a package that has not been delivered, you can be assured that we will contact the appropriate representative immediately and inform you of their findings.

What items are prohibited from being shipped to me?

Loose Lithium Ion/Metal Batteries and Cells and all Lithium Ion/Metal batteries > 100 Wh (batteries) or >20 Wh (cells) are going to be prohibited from all shipments except those by FedEx Ground (Continental US and Canada only).

However, FedEx is also able to ship Used Electronics along with DHL.

The only difference is that with DHL we can exceed the standard limits of 2 installed batteries or 4 installed cells per box (5 kg total battery weight limit).

For a detailed list please check our page on prohibited items

 

 

What countries do you not ship to?

We currently do not ship to Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, North Korea, Sudan, Syria, Vietnam, Russia, Belarus, and Venezuela. This list may change with US policy changes. As a rule, if you do not see a country on our shipping calculator, we do not allow account from that country.

Can I pick packages up at your warehouse?
Due to Postal policy we are not able to allow customers to retrieve packages at our warehouse.
One of my packages has a prohibited item in it. What are my options?

Returning the item to the seller for a refund is the best option. Finding an authorized exporter for the item and having it shipped to them is another option. If neither of those work, you can always have us remove the item from your account and discard it.

One of my items was confiscated by Customs, what do I do?
If an item is confiscated it was done so because you either did not declare that item on your customs declaration, you misdeclared the value, or that item is prohibited. Unfortunately in any of these cases we will not be able to get your item back and you will need to communicate with your country’s Customs department directly.
My package is stuck in Customs in my country why?

For a variety of reasons Customs may hold your package for an extended time. The most common reasons are insufficient or incorrect information on the Customs Declaration.

We recommend contacting your Customs office to determine if they need more information from you in order to process your package.

My country’s Customs has contacted me and is asking for more information. What do I do?

Many countries have unique requirements they impose on incoming shipments. These requirements may change from time to time making it impossible for us to have cover all requirements of all countries.

If your Customs need more information in order to clear your package, please promptly provide them with what they need. If you do not provide them with the information they are seeking, they will eventually return the package to us or declare it abandoned and discard it.

I want to ship more than 2 devices with installed lithium ion batteries (or 4 installed lithium ion cells), what do I do?

Your only option is DHL.

There are limitations. Only up to 100 watt hours per battery and 20 watt hours per cell and up to 5kg per package is allowed.

Remember these need to be installed in products, and not loose Lithium Ion batteries.

Make sure you select DHL when doing a combination for multiple electronics or choose DHL as your shipping method for single packages.

Please note, we will do these manually and will email you the correct tracking number.

Payment & Fee

Why does it refuse to allow me to pay by my credit card?

We do not accept credit card payments from all countries. When registering your account, the available payment methods for your country will display once you select your country.

If your country is among those where do we accept credit cards but our system will still not accept your payment, please make sure that your billing information is correct. If your billing information is correct, there may be an issue with your bank allowing us to charge your card. In this situation, please contact us so we can double check things on our end, after that, you will likely need to call your bank.

Registering your billing address in a country other than the one where your payment methods are registered may result in shipping delays, canceled payments, and even account closure if the misrepresentation was intentional and done so as to commit fraud.

What payment methods are accepted?

We accept Verified PayPal and Bank Wire Transfers from all countries. From most countries we also accept all major Credit Cards (VISA, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, and JCB). Available payment methods will display above your country when you register.

Can I pay using my friend / family member’s credit card or PayPal account?

No. We do require you use a payment source that belongs to you and matches your account’s billing address. Failure to do so may result in our payment processor declining your payment, flagging your account as having attempted to make a fraudulent payment, and requiring us to investigate the payment you attempted to make.

If we investigate, we will likely ask for government issued photo IDs for you and the individual whose payment source was used. Even if we deem the attempted payment as non-fraudulent, we cannot allow you to use their payment source now or in the future.

Why does the postage on my relatively light package cost so much?

In calculating postage for packages, the shipping companies (FedEx, DHL, & UPS) calculate the actual weight and the dimensional weight and use the larger of the two. Dimensional weight is calculated by taking the (Length x Width x Height in inches)/139. They do this because space on their cargo planes is a premium and large packages, even if they are light, take up that precious space. Keep this in mind when you make your purchases; this is the #1 reason for surprisingly high postage costs.

Does Vyking Ship charge me Duty Fees?

Some countries may require us to collect and remit VAT or GST for shipments below certain thresholds. Currently, we are mandated to do so for the UK and Australia. In the future, we may be required to collect taxes for New Zealand, Singapore, and Indonesia as well.

We recommend checking out SimplyDuty.com for an estimate of the amount of duties that may be charged upon delivery.

Does Vyking Ship charge storage fees?

Vyking Ship provides free storage for incoming packages based on your membership level. Basic (free) accounts receive 60 days of free storage, Gold accounts receive 90 days, and Platinum accounts receive 150 days. If you need additional storage beyond the free period, Gold and Platinum members can extend storage for an extra fee of $0.10 per pound per day, up to 30 additional days. Basic members do not have the option to extend storage beyond the initial 60 days.

Storage & Combining Service

How long can I store my packages before I am charged?

Storage time depends on your membership level:

  • Basic (Free Account): 60 days of free storage, no extra storage time available.
  • Gold ($50/year): 90 days of free storage, with an option to extend for $0.10 per pound per day for up to 30 additional days.
  • Platinum ($100/year): 150 days of free storage, with an option to extend for $0.10 per pound per day for up to 30 additional days.
How long can I store a combined package?
  • Basic (Free Account): 14 days after combining.
  • Gold ($50/year): 30 days after combining.
  • Platinum ($100/year): 30 days after combining.
Can I request additional storage beyond the maximum limit?

Only Gold and Platinum members can extend storage beyond their initial free period at a rate of $0.10 per pound per day, up to 30 days. Basic members cannot extend storage beyond the 60-day free period.

How much does it cost to combine packages?
  • Basic (Free Account): $3.00 per package.

  • Gold ($50/year): $2.00 per package.

  • Platinum ($100/year): $1.50 per package.

What happens if I don't ship my combined package within the storage limit?

Once the storage limit, free and paid (if applicable), is exceeded, the package will be removed from the account and disposed of.

Service Queries

Do you have a Personal Shopper/ Concierge/ Assisted Purchasing program?
Vyking Ship has a Purchase Assistance Program where by we can make purchases on your behalf. We charge a 10% fee on top of the total purchase price (items plus and shipping and taxes). Please contact us (support@vykingship.com) for more details.
I am a merchant, can I use Vyking Ship as a fulfillment center?
We are more than happy to split pallets or repackage larger packages into multiple smaller packages. If you plan on having more than a single pallet of goods at our warehouse, please contact us first so that we can approve of the storage.
Additionally, you will be responsible for all communication with your customers and relaying any shipping documents to us – we are to have no contact with your customers.
I am a US merchant and I don’t ship internationally, can Vyking Ship help?

You can have Vyking Ship fulfill your international shipping needs by having your prospective customers sign up for an account with us.

Make sure to talk to us first so that we can setup an account for you and you can start collecting referral bonuses!

What is the Referral Program and how can I get involved?

Vyking Ship’s Referral Program rewards customers for spreading the word about our service.

When you refer a friend who signs up for a Gold or Platinum membership, you will receive a 10% commission of all non-shipping fees (processing and membership):

  • Gold Membership ($50/year) → You earn $5.
  • Platinum Membership ($100/year) → You earn $10.

This reward is credited to your account and can be used toward future shipping costs. Best of all, the referral credit is recurring—if your referral renews their membership after a year, you will earn another reward!

How long do referral credits last?

Unlike our old system where credits expired in one month, referral credits now last an entire year, allowing you to accumulate them and make a meaningful impact on your shipping costs.

Others

Where can I post my suggestions?
Please email them to support@vykingship.com. We would love to hear your suggestions and are continually looking for ways to improve and innovate.

We will read and consider all suggestions. There are a variety of reasons why we may not implement your suggestion (cost to implement, website integration issues, etc), but please don’t take it personally.

What are the limitations of my Vyking Ship account?
  1. You may not use your account to conduct any illegal activities.
  2. You may not claim your account address as your own physical location for anything except for the receiving of packages.
  3. You may not claim that you are physically present at your account address – we don’t want anyone showing up looking for you.
  4. You may not give our phone number as a contact number for you unless in extreme circumstances and not before we give our consent.
  5. You may not use fraudulently acquired funds to pay for our services.
  6. You may not knowingly ship any prohibited items through us or to any individuals or organizations that are listed as terrorist groups or as organized crime.
What is the best way of getting in contact with Vyking Ship?
Given the time difference and cost of international phone calls, we recommend sending your inquiries to support@vykingship.com. Please give us your name and account number in the subject line. Our email support is currently handled in English only; if you send a question in another language we will use Google Translate to understand it as best as possible and then we will respond in English. Additional language support will be added in the future.

If you have a very urgent issue you are more than welcome to call our support at 1-952-941-2452. If you call please have your account number ready for us. All phone support is currently handled in English. If you need to communicate in another language we recommend contacting us by email. We will not make any international calls, so if you reach us after hours and decide to leave a message, please be aware that we will not be able to call you back.

We also have an online chat feature. This will provide real-time support for those of you with more urgent questions requiring follow-up. All chats will be in English and Google Translate will be used to translate any communications not sent in English. If you do not see any available staff in the chat interface, they may be assisting other customers at the time and you may wish to leave an email.

Do I have to pay sales tax on purchases I make online in the US?

This commonly asked question is one of our favorites to answer! Because we are located in Minnesota, you will not have to pay sales tax on any clothing items when you use your Vyking address.

You may not have to pay sales tax on some other transactions depending on the size and location of the seller.

Will you share or sell any of my personal information?

We will never sell your information and will not share any personally identifiable information with anyone unless compelled by law.

Please see our Privacy Policy for full details.

Ready to Start Shopping? 

Open Hours

9am - 5pm US Central Time, UTC-6
Monday to Friday
excluding major US holidays

Our Office

3260 Gorham Ave, STE 400
St Louis Park, MN 55426
USA