Shipping From the U.S. to the UK
Explore DHL solutions for expedient delivery and affordable shipping from the U.S. to the UK
Our strong global network and full range of cross-border shipping services make shipping from the United States to the UK easy. Whether you want to estimate shipping costs, learn more about how to ship from the U.S. to the UK, or simply need a quick delivery solution, you’ll find all the information you need here.
How much does shipping from the U.S. to the UK cost?
The cost of shipping to UK varies based on factors like weight, size, and destination as well as any additional services that you book. For packages and pallets, both big and small, we can provide you with an instant quote on shipping rates from the U.S. to the UK.
In addition to answering questions about price, our quoting tool also displays a range of delivery speeds. From some of the most competitive rates to ship to the UK from the U.S. to some of the quickest, our quoting tool will show you the range of shipping possibilities available.
Get a Quote in 4 Easy Steps
1.
Indicate if you are shipping as a private person or a business customer
2.
Fill out your shipment details
3.
Get the estimated costs
4.
Continue with online booking
How are duties and taxes calculated for shipments from the U.S. to the UK?
There are several factors that influence how duties and taxes are calculated for shipments from the U.S. to the UK. For example, the type of item that you are sending, its declared value and whether you are sending it for commercial or personal reasons all play a role in determining the duties and taxes that need to be paid. More details on tax and customs for goods sent from abroad can be found on the GOV.UK website.
For businesses with time-sensitive shipments, we recommend using DHL Express. With this shipping solution, you have access to the DHL Express Global Trade Services toolkit. Our Landed Cost Estimator lets you calculate duties, taxes and more so you know what your shipping costs are upfront. You can also find out about the latest import and export regulations with our tool.
Why should I use DHL to send business shipments to the UK from the U.S.?
As the world’s leading logistics provider, DHL offers a range of benefits to business shippers of all sizes, including:
- A broad portfolio of services from express shipments to freight transport
- Attractive prices based on shipment volume and frequency
- Increased efficiency and control of all your shipments with our exclusive tools for shipping
- World-class service from our shipping experts, operational teams, and customer service agents
- Easy integrations with our best-in-class APIs and web-based shipping options
If you regularly ship to the UK and are looking for a cost-effective solution, you can share a shipping profile and connect with our experts. They will help you find an affordable solution and save time on your future shipments.
How long does shipping from the U.S. to the UK take?
Once your shipment has been handed over to us, delivery time is mainly determined by the service you select. While standard shipping options are more affordable, the delivery times are generally longer than time-definite services.
For businesses that open a DHL account, we offer various service levels ranging from next-business-day shipping to more economical options.
How can I track my shipment from the U.S. to the UK?
Shipments can be tracked directly on DHL’s website. You can track your shipment rom the U.S. to the UK here.
We offer our business customers a wide range of data integration options with best-in-class APIs that allow easier access to information across our different divisions. In addition to a unified tracking solution, we also have tracking APIs for individual divisions including DHL Express, DHL Global Forwarding and DHL Supply Chain. You can explore our different tracking APIs in our API Developer Portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are UK addresses written when shipping to the UK with DHL?
When shipping to the UK with DHL, UK addresses are typically written in uppercase letters and use the following format:
Name/Company Name (if applicable)
Street address with additional information (e.g. floor)
City/ Town (write/print in capitals)
Postal code (write/print in capitals)
Country
Example:
Mr. Smith
24 High Street
SOUTHAMPTON
SO14 0AA
United Kingdom
Postal codes in the UK are either 5, 6 or 7 characters long and contain both letters and numbers. The first part is made up of two, three or four characters and it separated from the second three characters with a space.
Who has to pay duties and taxes when I ship to the UK?
The person receiving the package may have to pay duties and/or taxes if it is sent to Great Britain from outside the UK, and to Northern Ireland from countries outside of the EU. The courier company will inform you if any VAT or duty payment is necessary. It is important for the sender to declare goods correctly if they’re sent from outside the UK (or from outside the EU for Northern Ireland).
Are items below a certain value exempt from taxes and duties in the UK?
VAT is not charged on goods that are gifts worth £39 or less, otherwise VAT is applied to all goods sent from:
- Outside the UK to Great Britain
- Outside the UK and the EU to Northern Ireland
You will not need to pay any charges to the delivery company for receiving goods valued under £135, unless they are gifts over £39 per person or excise goods (such as alcohol and tobacco).
I want to send a gift to someone. How should I prepare the shipment?
To qualify as gifts, items must:
- Be labeled as gifts on the customs declaration
- Be intended for a birthday, anniversary, or other special occasion
- Be purchased and sent between individuals (not businesses)
- Be intended for personal use
If you are sending more than one gift in the same parcel, you can apply the Customs Duty and VAT-free allowance to each gift if they:
- Are for different recipients
- Are listed separately on the customs declaration with individual values
- Are wrapped individually
Are there restrictions on what can be sent to the UK?
Ensure your package complies with DHL’s guidelines on restricted and prohibited items to avoid delays, seizure, or return. Forbidden items include dangerous goods (e.g., chemicals), prohibited items (e.g., weapons), and valuable goods (e.g., jewelry). The sender is responsible for checking these lists. There are no refunds for non-compliance. Here is a list of prohibited items.
How can I ensure that my package to the UK is delivered expeditiously?
If you have a package that needs to be delivered quickly, we recommend using our Express Service. This service ensures that time-critical packages arrive expeditiously at their destination.
Do you want to power your small or medium-sized business success?
No matter if your business is growing, you are looking to expand internationally or you are simply searching for a reliable and convenient shipping services. We can help you with world-class shipping and logistics.
