Tips and tricks for shipping from the US to the UK

international shipping

eCommerce is a big trend in the UK and with that, a lot of businesses have embraced ways to make shipping to the UK easier. This includes finding the cheapest ways to ship to the UK. For both customers and businesses, having options that include shipping from the US to the UK and having cheap ways to ship are primary factors in getting customers to buy from you.

Over at Forwardme.com, we help you find the cheapest ways to ship and the cheapest ways to ship from the US to the UK. We know that shipping from the US to the UK can be expensive and we are here to help in every way possible so you get the best bang for your buck.

We’re going to break down a few tips and tricks on how you can successfully get the most from shipping from the US to the UK and how you can get the cheapest ways to ship from the US to the UK.

How much does it cost?

Let’s jump into what everyone wants to know, how much does it cost? When looking at the cost of shipping from the US to the UK, there are three factors. Package weight, package dimensions, and delivery timeframe are what will drive your cost up. The smaller the three of these are the cheaper your freight will be.

Packages that have weird dimensions will come with more fees. Delivery time is up to you, if you're looking for the cheapest way to ship, then process your order with plenty of lead time to help prevent costly freight. If you’re looking for the cheapest way to ship from the US to the UK, make sure you don’t rush the package.

What about customs?

A big factor that needs to be considered when shipping from the US to the UK is customs. You might wonder how you can avoid customs in the UK and the answer is you can’t. When shipping from the US to the UK you will need to dell out a customs declaration form. There you state the contents of your package and you need to check to make sure it’s not on the restricted or prohibited items list.

If you’re required to pay taxes or a duty, the Royal Mail will notify you before getting your package. VAT is a charge on all goods shipping from the US to the UK except gifts that are worth thirty-nine Euros or less. Otherwise, you usually will be charged a 20% VAT rate for most goods.

Duty comes in on any goods from outside the UK that are worth more than 135 Euros or are alcohol and tobacco. Gifts that are between 135-630 Euros are charged a 2.5% duty and gifts about 630 Euros depending on the type of good and where it is from.

There are only a few ways to skip customs and taxes when shipping from the US to the UK and that is:

Any goods covered by a preference agreement with the country it’s importing from
Importing goods are being sent for repair or processing
Goods are being temporarily imported for samples, auctions, professional equipment, or demonstration
Goods are being imported for educational, cultural, medical, or scientific goods

Can my items be shipped via FedEx, UPS, and USPS?

When looking for the cheapest ways to ship from the US to the UK, you might consider some familiar carriers. FedEx, UPS, and the USPS all offer a variety of international shipping options from the US to the UK. This includes rush shipping or a cheap way to ship.

The USPS offers their priority mail express international and priority mail international, plus a few other options for shipping from the US to the UK. When looking for the cheapest ways to ship from the US to the UK, USPS will have a variety of prices that will suit your budget.

FedEx and UPS both offer international express shipping or pre-determined scheduled deliveries. When looking at the cheapest ways to ship, FedEx and UPS are great options but might be a little more expensive next to USPS.

What is the cheapest way to ship from the US to the UK?

When it comes down to it we want to know the cheapest ways to ship. After keeping all the above factors in mind when looking at the cheapest ways to ship from the US to the UK the best trick is to make sure you compare your options.

We decided to find quotes for a 5-pound parcel that is 10in x 5in x 5in shipping from New York to London and this is what we got.

FedEx ranged from $182 to $245
USPS came in between $76 to $87
UPS was $170 to $230

These prices reflect the way you decide to ship and your time frame. If you need special requirements or a fast ship time, you will spend more money.

How to shop from the US to the UK?

Here are a few tips to remember when you’re shipping from the US to the UK and looking for the cheapest ways to ship.

Always look at multiple carriers for price options
Enter the correct weight and measurements so you aren’t surprised at the end and pay more.
Read over the UK’s customs guidelines and regulations before shipping
Address your package correctly so it’s sent correct the first time around
Check to see if you’ll be charged taxes or duties on your shipment
Double-check your postal code

The biggest thing to remember when trying to find the cheapest way to ship is always double-check yourself. Addressing your package wrong or having the wrong postal code will end up costing you a lot more money when all you needed to do was double-check it before shipping.

If all of this seems like a lot when you’re looking for the cheapest ways to ship from the US to the UK or how to ship from the US to the UK, don’t worry, Forwardme.com is here to help. Over at Forwardme.com, we can help you with all your shipping needs when shipping from the US to the UK.

We find the cheapest ways to ship to ensure you keep money in your pocket and you don’t even have to do the dirty work, we do that for you. You’ll never have to worry about how much shipping is from the US to the UK because Forwardme.com finds you the cheapest ways to ship and gets your package to you quickly and easily.