Yes — you can ship gift cards. Unlike cash, which every major carrier prohibits, gift cards are generally allowed because they're traceable, replaceable, and tied to a specific retailer. They're still valuable, so use trackable, insured shipping and keep the receipt — see our shipping restrictions overview for how gift cards fit.
There are two kinds of gift cards, and the rules differ: a physical plastic gift card ships like any small valuable item (trackable, insured); a digital gift card (code sent by email) doesn't ship at all — you just email the code, avoiding shipping risk entirely. For physical cards, the main concern is theft and loss — a delivered but not received gift card can be spent before you recover it.
Internationally, gift cards face customs rules: some countries restrict or tax them, and blank or high-value cards can draw scrutiny. A non-compliant shipment can be returned to sender or held in customs. For other restricted items, see batteries, perfume, and alcohol.
What It Means
How to Ship Gift Cards by Type
- Physical plastic gift card: ship like any small valuable — trackable service, insured for the loaded value, discreet packaging.
- Digital gift card (code): no shipping — email the code; zero shipping risk.
- Prepaid debit cards (Visa/Mastercard): treated more like cash-adjacent valuables; some restrictions, insure the loaded value.
- Store-specific gift cards: generally easiest to ship; replaceable by the issuer if lost with a receipt.
Carrier Rules
- USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL: all allow gift cards; insure and use signature service for high value.
- International: some countries restrict blank or high-value cards; declare the value on customs forms.
Why It Happens
Why Gift Cards Are Allowed (But Cash Isn't)
Gift cards are traceable to a retailer and replaceable if lost (with a receipt), which makes them safer than cash. They also can't be used for money laundering the way cash can. That's why carriers allow them while prohibiting cash — see shipping restrictions. Customs may still scrutinize high-value or blank cards internationally, and a non-compliant shipment can be returned to sender.
How Long It Lasts
How Long Gift Card Shipping Takes
- Domestic plastic card: 2–5 business days, trackable.
- Digital code: instant (email) — no shipping involved.
- International plastic card: 1–3 weeks, with customs processing.
Should You Be Concerned?
Should You Be Concerned?
Gift cards are valuable and theft-prone, so use trackable, insured shipping and avoid signaling the contents on the package. Be concerned if shipping high-value cards internationally (customs scrutiny), or to a country that restricts them. If a gift card is delivered but not received, report it immediately and cancel the card with the issuer — see also how long to wait before reporting a lost package.
What You Can Do
What You Can Do
- Ship digital codes instead of plastic when possible — no shipping risk.
- Use trackable, insured service with signature for high-value plastic cards.
- Keep the receipt and card number so you can cancel/replace a lost card.
- Discreet packaging — don't label the package "gift card."
- For international, declare the value and check destination rules — see customs.
- For other valuables and restricted items, see cash, shipping restrictions, and batteries.
- If held, see return to sender.
When to Contact the Carrier
When to Contact the Carrier
If a gift card shipment is delivered but not received, contact carrier support immediately and cancel the card with the issuer. If a card is held in customs or returned, contact support with the tracking number.