Send a parcel to United States of America from only £39.97

When shipping a parcel to the USA from the UK there are many options, rules, and considerations. Whether you're sending a gift to a loved one, fulfilling an e-commerce order, or shipping business goods, understanding the process is key to ensuring your package arrives safely, on time, and within budget. This comprehensive guide dives deep into everything you need to know about sending a parcel to the USA, from choosing the best courier to navigating customs and ensuring eco-friendly practices. Let's break it down step-by-step to make your shipping experience smooth and stress-free.

Sending a parcel across the Atlantic doesn't have to be complicated. With the right knowledge, you can choose a shipping option that fits your needs, avoid unexpected costs, and overcome common hurdles. The USA is one of the most popular international shipping destinations from the UK, thanks to strong trade ties, family connections, and the rise of e-commerce. But shipping overseas comes with extra considerations, such as customs rules and regulations, transit times and cost.

The good news? You have Worldwide Parcel Services to help you navigate through the shipping process from start to finish. Costs vary based on factors like parcel size, weight, and urgency, while challenges like customs delays or improper packaging can trip up even the savviest shippers. In this guide, we'll walk you through it all, offering practical tips to ensure your parcel reaches its destination without a hitch.

Shipping Options & Carriers

When it comes to sending a parcel to the USA, the courier you choose can make or break your experience. Let's explore the top players in the game and weigh the pros and cons of economy versus express shipping.

Best Courier Services for Shipping to the USA

The UK is home to a robust network of couriers, each offering unique strengths for shipping to the USA. Here are the three best options:

• DHL: Known for its global reach and reliability, DHL excels in express shipping to the USA. With services like DHL Express Worldwide, your parcel can arrive in as little as 1-3 days.
• UPS: A powerhouse in logistics, UPS offers a range of options from UPS Expedited, UPS Express Saver to UPS Express with transit times of 1- 5 days. It's a go-to for businesses and individuals alike. However, based on new regulations that have come into force, we have had to temporarily remove UPS services to America from our site (please see below for more information).
• DPD: While better known for European deliveries, DPD partners with global networks to offer reliable USA shipping, often at competitive rates.

Packaging Guidelines & Weight Limits

Proper packaging is your parcel's first line of defence against delays in shipping. Here's how to get it right.

How to Properly Pack a Parcel

• Choosing the Right Box or Envelope: Use a sturdy, double-walled cardboard box for heavier items or a padded envelope for lightweight goods. Avoid reusing old boxes with worn edges.
• Cushioning Fragile Items: Bubble wrap, packing peanuts, or foam inserts protect breakables. Fill empty spaces to prevent items moving within the box.
• Labelling Requirements: Print the shipping label and attach to the box securely. Ensure that you do not cover any part of the address or barcodes.
• Tape it up generously: Four strips of strong packing tape in a "Union Jack" pattern will keep the box most secure.

Weight & Size Restrictions for Different Couriers

Each courier has its limits:

• DHL: Handles individual items up to 300kg on Air service. Packages over 25 kilos incur a surcharge. Packages over 70 kilos must be palletised and incur a further surcharge. Parcels over 99cm in length also incur a surcharge and the maximum length allowed is 300cm.
• UPS: Accepts parcels up to 70kg; Packages over 25 kilos incur a surcharge as do parcels exceeding 99cm in length. A surcharge is also applied if 2 sides exceed 76cm. The maximum length of any side of the box is 270cm and the maximum girth (which is calculated by the formula: Length x (2 x Width x 2 x height)) is 380cm. A package whose girth exceeds 290cm will incur a surcharge.
• DPD: The maximum weight DPD carry per box is 25 kilos, and their maximum length limit is 165cm. Boxes must not exceed 280cm in girth.

When you book with WPS, the prices displayed when obtaining a quote will include any applicable surcharges (providing the correct weight and dimensions have been supplied).

Customs, Duties & Import Restrictions

Shipping to the USA means dealing with quite specific customs requirements. Here's what you need to know:

The US Customs Service ensures all incoming parcels comply with regulations:

• Customs Clearance Process: Declare the contents, value, and purpose (e.g. gift, sale). Most couriers generate this electronically during booking.
• Who Pays Duties?: If the parcel's value exceeds $800 (the US de minimis threshold), the recipient typically pays duties and taxes. Below that, it's usually duty-free unless it's alcohol or tobacco.
• DDP/DTP: If you want to pay the duties/taxes on behalf of the recipient, Worldwide Parcel Services can enable your account to allow you to select this option.
• Customs Paperwork: You will not usually need to print and attach customs paperwork to your parcel(s) as it is created automatically on our website during the booking process and sent electronically to the couriers.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Not everything can be sent to the USA. Below is an overview of what cannot be sent, so please ensure you read our prohibited items list and check the US Customs and Border Protection prohibited and restricted list before making a booking.

• Prohibited: Hazardous materials (flammables, explosives), aerosols, perfumes, drugs, firearms, and perishable foods like fresh meat or dairy.
• Restricted:. Food items (e.g., packaged snacks) are okay if unopened and labelled, but check US Customs guidelines first.

Tracking & Insurance

Peace of mind comes with tracking and insurance. Fortunately, WPS offers a door-to-door tracking service - all you have to do is click the tracking tab at the top of every page on our website. Simply enter your invoice number and delivery postcode into the form provided and the tracking history of your shipment for every stage of its journey will be displayed.

In early September 2025, the UPS USA Customs Department began applying 200% duties on shipments containing even the smallest amount of metal. This unexpected policy change has caused widespread disruption for many shippers and customers.

Why This Happened

UPS informed us that U.S. Customs now requires a “Section 232 Steel and Aluminium Form” for any affected shipments. This form must declare:

• The value of the metal element within the shipment
• The country where the metal was smelted

Impact on Shipments

Many U.S. receivers refused to pay the inflated duties, leading UPS to raise queries back to us. While some duty overcharges were later corrected, in many cases shipments were returned to sender instead of being delivered.

Even after we began attaching Section 232 forms prior to shipping, as advised by UPS, the issue persisted. Customs delays and inconsistent duty assessments continued to affect deliveries.

Delays and Service Suspension

UPS USA Customs also announced up to 8-week delays in resolving duty-related queries. To prevent further inconvenience and unexpected costs for our customers, we made the decision to temporarily remove the UPS shipping option to the USA.

DHL USA Discounted Alternative

To ensure continued, reliable delivery to the USA, we have introduced a 10% discount on DHL USA services, making prices comparable to the previous UPS rates. DHL have not been impacted by the same restrictions and to date, no duty overcharges have been reported, customs delays experienced, and no Section 232 forms have been required through our shipments using them.

We will reintroduce UPS USA shipping options once these customs issues have been fully resolved, hopefully in the not-too-distant future.