Can You Ship Sourdough Starter Internationally?

The short answer

Yes. Dehydrated sourdough starter is the format to ship internationally. It's dry, lightweight and shelf-stable, and long transit times or temperature swings don't affect it. That's how we can ship to 200+ countries and territories. Live liquid starters are perishable, so we don't recommend them for international orders. Shipping options and rates for your country are shown at checkout. Delivery times vary by destination and carrier, so we don't promise a specific international delivery window.

Dehydrated vs live starter for international shipping

	Dehydrated starter	Live / liquid starter
Perishable?	No. Shelf-stable with a long shelf life	Yes. A live culture that needs food
Affected by long transit or heat and cold?	No, it arrives in the same condition it left	Can get sluggish in transit
What to do on arrival	Nothing yet. Store it cool and dry and activate whenever you're ready	Feed within a day or two
Time to first bake after you start	About 5 days	About 1–2 days
Our recommendation for outside the US	Yes	Not recommended

Why dried starter travels so well

A dehydrated starter is a dormant culture. Our cultures are gently dehydrated at low temperatures to preserve their integrity, then packed small and light. With no water, there's nothing for the yeast to eat and nothing to spoil on the way. Dehydrated starters can stay viable for many months, sometimes years, when stored in a cool, dry place. When it arrives, there's no clock ticking.

How to order from outside the US

1. Pick a dehydrated starter. If you're unsure, start with the San Francisco Heritage starter ($7.99), our best seller. Other popular picks are the Camaldoli Monastery starter and the Gluten Free SF Heritage starter.
2. Set your country or region in the store's selector, which shows prices in your local currency where it's available.
3. Check shipping at checkout. Available options and rates for your address appear there. Pick a tracked option if you want to follow the parcel.
4. Check your own country's import rules for dried food or cultures. These vary by country and can change, so your national customs or agriculture authority is the best source. If you're unsure, message us before you order.

When it arrives

• Store the unopened packet somewhere cool and dry until you're ready.
• Use filtered tap or spring water when you activate it. Avoid distilled, purified bottled or reverse-osmosis water.
• Follow our rehydration instructions. It takes about 5 days.
• If a parcel looks lost or badly delayed, contact us. We'll work with the carrier to resolve it or send a replacement.

Shipping your own starter abroad (or taking it on a trip)

Want to send your own starter to a friend overseas, or keep a backup while you travel? Dry it:

1. Spread a thin layer of active starter on parchment paper.
2. Let it dry completely.
3. Break it into flakes and store them in a sealed bag.

Dried starter can last for months or even years, and it travels the same way ours does. Your recipient revives it with flour and water, using the same process as our step-by-step rehydration guide.

Why not just mail a jar of live starter?

A jar of live starter is wet, can leak, keeps fermenting in transit, and needs feeding soon after it lands. That's fine for a short domestic trip. Across borders it's a gamble. For more on the trade-offs, see dehydrated vs. liquid sourdough starter.

FAQ

Can sourdough starter be shipped internationally?

Yes. Dehydrated starter is shelf-stable and isn't affected by long transit times or temperature changes, so it's the best format to ship abroad.

Which countries do you ship to?

We ship to 200+ countries and territories. Set your country in the store's selector and the shipping options for your address will show at checkout.

How long does international delivery take?

It depends on your country and the shipping option you choose, so we don't quote a fixed window. Options and rates are shown at checkout.

Can I ship a liquid sourdough starter overseas?

We don't recommend it. Liquid starters are live and perishable and need feeding within a day or two of arriving.

Is sourdough starter allowed through customs?

Import rules for dried food and cultures vary by country. Check with your national customs or agriculture authority before ordering, or message us if you're unsure.

How do I send my own sourdough starter to someone abroad?

Dry it. Spread active starter thin on parchment, let it dry completely, and seal the flakes in a bag. The recipient revives it with flour and water.