Wednesday 24 April 2013

Sending a parcel to the United States


The USA is one of the most popular destinations for parcel deliveries from the UK. If you've never sent a parcel to the States before, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the range of delivery services available and the numerous regulations related to US imports. We've therefore compiled this list of handy guidelines to make your delivery to the US go as smoothly as possible, at the best possible price. 

File:Flag of the United States.svg

Cost
Given the sheer volume of imports to America every day, sending a parcel across the pond can be much more economical than you expect. For international delivery to the USA, our rates are amongst the most competitive around and start from less than £20 per single kg ranging to £2.29 per kg, depending on the weight of the parcel you want to send. Click here to get a quick quote.

Carrier
While cost is a huge factor in selecting which courier service to use, you should also consider which is the best carrier for your destination and delivery time frame. The American logistics giant UPS arguably has the best USA distribution network, but DHL, FedEx and TNT Express have expansive networks in the States as well. Our UPS Express Saver service has an average transit time of two days and is also our cheapest US service when sending parcels weighing up to 70kg. 

Customs
Import laws to the US are deliberately tough. Many of the relevant legislation is intended to crack down on illegal imports and to comply with recent anti-terrorism laws though, so the majority of commercial and personal parcels reach their destination without problems. If you're unsure as to whether or not your parcel is  acceptable by American customs, check our list of prohibited and restricted items. In addition to those items on our list, the US prohibits the importation of gambling devices, asbestos and ivory.

For further information, please call our customer services on 0845 145 1212 (Monday-Friday 9:00- 5:30 pm) or use our online live chat feature.



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