The consumer genomics industry was built for the American market. Most providers ship from US-based labs, most reviews are written for US customers, and most pricing is in dollars. If you live in Europe, Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, or anywhere else outside the US, the landscape looks quite different.
Some providers that dominate US market share don't ship to your country at all. Others charge substantial international shipping fees. Legal restrictions in certain countries add another layer of complexity. This guide cuts through the noise and tells you exactly what's available, where, and what to watch out for.
Which Providers Ship Internationally?
Dante Labs — Best for International Buyers
Ships to: Worldwide, free. No exclusions. Saliva collection kit mailed to your address, you mail it back in the prepaid return envelope. Lab is in Italy, which means shorter transit times for European and Middle Eastern buyers compared to US-based services. Accepts orders in euros, which can be advantageous for non-dollar buyers depending on exchange rates. Full FASTQ/BAM/VCF data included.
Sequencing.com — ships worldwide with free shipping. US-based lab (swab kit). Operationally more reliable than Dante but at a higher price point ($379+) and without FASTQ access.
AncestryDNA — limited to the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Ireland. If you're outside these countries, you're out of luck unless you have someone in a supported country who can receive the kit and forward your results.
23andMe — available in the US, UK, Canada, and select European countries. Coverage has been shrinking rather than expanding, and the company's financial restructuring raises questions about future international availability.
FamilyTreeDNA — ships to the US, Canada, Spain, Australia, UK, and additional countries. Broader international reach than 23andMe or Ancestry but focused on genealogy and Y-DNA/mtDNA testing rather than whole genome sequencing.
Region-Specific Considerations
Europe
European buyers benefit from Dante Labs' Italian lab — shorter shipping times and GDPR compliance for data handling. However, European residents should be aware that genetic privacy regulations vary significantly by country. GDPR provides a strong baseline for data protection, but some countries have additional restrictions.
France: Under Article 226-28-1 of the French Penal Code, submitting a DNA sample for recreational or consumer genetic testing is technically illegal. Violations can result in a fine of €3,750. French citizens using international providers via foreign addresses should be aware of this legal risk, however rarely enforced.
Germany: The Gendiagnostikgesetz (Genetic Diagnostics Act) requires that genetic testing for health purposes be ordered by a physician. Consumer DTC tests occupy a legal gray area.
UK: Post-Brexit, the UK has its own data protection framework (UK GDPR). Most major providers ship to the UK, making it one of the easiest European markets for consumer genomics.
Latin America
Consumer-facing whole genome sequencing services are virtually nonexistent domestically in Latin American countries. Genetics labs in major cities (Medellín, Bogotá, São Paulo, Mexico City) focus on clinical diagnostics — paternity tests, prenatal screening, rare disease panels — ordered by physicians, not consumers.
For consumer WGS in Latin America, Dante Labs (free worldwide shipping) and Sequencing.com are the primary options. Both ship saliva collection kits internationally and accept samples mailed from any country. Currency considerations are relevant — both price in EUR or USD, so local currency exchange rates will affect your actual cost.
Customs considerations: DNA collection kits generally clear customs without issues, but processing times can add a week or more in each direction depending on the country.
Middle East & UAE
Dante Labs has a significant UAE presence — their genomics subsidiary was acquired by Bio Cell Tech FZCO (based in the UAE) in April 2026, and they've previously partnered with the Abu Dhabi Executive Office and Abu Dhabi Stem Cells Center for genetic testing programs. For buyers in the Gulf states, this arguably makes Dante the most regionally embedded option.
Israel has a strong domestic genetic testing infrastructure, particularly for carrier screening of conditions prevalent in Ashkenazi, Sephardic, and Mizrahi populations. For WGS specifically, international providers remain the primary consumer option.
Asia-Pacific
Japan, South Korea, and Australia have domestic genetic testing industries, though consumer-facing WGS at Dante Labs' price point is uncommon. BGI (formerly Beijing Genomics Institute, based in Shenzhen) offers professional WGS services but primarily serves research and clinical customers rather than individual consumers.
Australian buyers have access to most major providers (23andMe, AncestryDNA, FamilyTreeDNA) plus international WGS services like Dante Labs. Shipping transit times are typically longer for kit return shipments due to distance from US and European labs.
India has a growing domestic genomics sector, but consumer WGS pricing remains high locally. International providers shipping to India (Dante Labs, Sequencing.com) often offer better value despite the longer shipping cycle.
Practical Tips for International Buyers
Factor in total transit time. International WGS involves shipping a kit to you (1–3 weeks), collecting and mailing back your sample (1–3 weeks depending on postal service and customs), plus the lab processing time (8–14 weeks for Dante). Total time from order to results can be 3–5 months. Plan accordingly.
Check your postal service's biohazard policies. Saliva collection kits are classified as exempt biological substances for transport. They come with compliant packaging and prepaid return labels. In most countries, you can drop them in any standard mail collection point. However, some postal services in certain countries may have specific handling requirements — check with your local post office if you're unsure.
Pay attention to currency and pricing. Dante Labs prices in euros. At flash sale pricing (€169), the USD equivalent fluctuates with exchange rates. If your local currency is weak against the euro, timing your purchase around favorable exchange rates can save meaningful money. Most providers accept international credit cards without issues.
Download your data as soon as it's available. This advice applies everywhere, but it's especially important for international buyers who may face complications re-accessing a provider's platform if the company changes its service regions. Get your FASTQ, BAM, and VCF files onto a local drive promptly.
Check local regulations before ordering. In most countries, consumer genetic testing is legal and unregulated. But a handful of jurisdictions (France, Germany, and others) have restrictions that range from requiring physician involvement to outright prohibition of recreational genetic testing. Research your country's position before placing an order.
Ships Free to Your Door, Worldwide
Dante Labs delivers collection kits and results to every country — no exclusions, no extra shipping charges.
Get 10% Off with Code GENOME → Italian lab · Free global shipping · GDPR compliant · From €169