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Key points
⦁ Non-continental shipping covers U.S. destinations outside the contiguous 48 states: Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and APO/FPO/DPO military addresses.
⦁ Delivery to these regions is domestic in regulatory terms but operationally distinct from Mainland US shipping.
⦁ Typical transit with a purpose-built network is 2-5 business days.
⦁ IB Non-Con operates on-island infrastructure in Hawaii and dedicated routing for each non-continental lane.
Beyond the 48 states
Non-continental shipping is the process of delivering to U.S. destinations outside the contiguous 48 states, including Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and other U.S. territories. These destinations are domestic in regulatory terms, but operationally they behave differently from Mainland US shipping. Transit depends on air capacity, address conventions vary, and the carrier handoffs that resolve quickly on the mainland can cascade in these markets.
Why it matters
Shoppers in Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico have fewer local retail options than their Mainland US counterparts. Demand for online purchases is higher, and the brands willing to serve these markets reach customers their competitors never do. Most standard networks treat these destinations as exceptions, which leaves retailers to absorb delays, limited delivery options, and inflated costs, or to exclude the markets altogether.
That gap is where IB was built to operate. With on-island warehouses in Hawaii (Maui, Oahu, Kona, and Hilo), established routes into Alaska (Anchorage and Juneau) and Puerto Rico (San Juan), and coverage across US territories and APO/FPO addresses, IB treats non-continental regions as a primary lane with purpose-built infrastructure. For a complete view of how predictable non-continental delivery is engineered, see our full non-continental shipping performance guide.
Who benefits from it
- Retailers looking to serve customers in Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and other US territories reliably
- Growing brands expanding into underserved markets to build customer loyalty
- Independent sellers and marketplaces looking to reduce cart abandonment caused by limited delivery zones
What makes it different from standard U.S. shipping
Small parcel shipping to non-continental regions involves a different set of operational realities than Mainland US delivery:
- Longer transit routes and more complex delivery chains
- Fewer fulfilment hubs and more handoffs across carriers
- Regional familiarity that standard networks rarely develop
Extra care to meet expectations in areas often treated as secondary
Networks built around Mainland US assumptions (ground backup routes, next-day recovery, uniform address formats) run into friction the moment a parcel crosses into air-dependent markets. Without the right partner, these variables lead to frustrated customers and operational headaches. For a deeper dive into non-continental shipping across Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Alaska, see the definitive guide to shipping to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Alaska.
How IB Non-Con works
IB Non-Con is purpose-built for shipping outside the Mainland US. It operates as a dedicated service layer with on-island infrastructure rather than a surcharge added onto a Mainland US network. Shipments move through facilities built for these markets.
Our approach includes:
- Transit times designed for each non-continental lane based on real network performance
- Transparent pricing without hidden fees or subscription models
- Direct integration with ProShip, ShipStation, Shipium, and Asendia, so labels, tracking, and exception data move through your existing systems
- Live customer service runs Monday-Friday 24 hours and Saturday 9:30am to 1:30pm MST. Tracking and self-service FAQ are available 24/7.
Our work is grounded in Inspire Aloha: every destination, however remote, deserves the same care and consistency as any Mainland US lane.
Shoppers in Kona expect what shoppers in Kansas City expect
The retailers winning in these markets are the ones who recognized that first. Offering efficient shipping across all U.S. destinations builds trust and unlocks growth.
Ready to deliver farther, without the friction?
For service details, coverage, and how IB Non-Con works for your fulfilment operation, see the IB Non-Continental shipping page.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as non-continental shipping?
Non-continental shipping covers U.S. destinations outside the contiguous 48 states: Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and APO/FPO/DPO military addresses. These are domestic destinations that require specialized logistics to serve reliably.
Is non-continental shipping the same as international shipping?
No. Every non-continental destination served by a U.S. retailer is domestic from a regulatory standpoint, so there are no customs forms, duties, or international documentation requirements. The operational complexity can look international because of air dependency, address formatting, and carrier handling, but the classification is domestic throughout.
Why do carriers surcharge for non-continental shipping?
Standard carrier networks are optimized for ground transit across the contiguous 48 states. Non-continental destinations require air freight, on-island last-mile, and regional handling that those networks treat as exceptions. The surcharge covers the operational cost gap. Consolidated non-continental networks close most of that gap by treating these lanes as primary service, which is why per-parcel costs drop meaningfully when a retailer moves to a purpose-built provider.
How long does non-continental shipping take?
With a mature network, most non-continental destinations deliver in 2-5 business days. Transit beyond that range is typically reserved for APO/FPO/DPO military addresses, some US territories, and rural Alaska. Hawaii and Puerto Rico have no rural ZIP codes, so delivery timing is consistent across all addresses in those markets.
Does free shipping usually include Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico?
Often, no. Most retailers exclude these markets from free shipping because standard carrier costs make them unprofitable. With a consolidated non-continental network, including them becomes operationally viable and protects the customer experience those regions rarely get.