Sending a parcel from the UK to Europe, the USA or elsewhere

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

Gather the information for a quote

Measure and weigh the parcel after packing. Prepare the full address, postcode, recipient contacts, precise contents, value and goods’ country of origin. For couriers, box volume can affect the price as much as actual weight.

Check prohibited or restricted contents and route availability first. Royal Mail’s international bulletin ↗ reports changes and delays. A quotation in an old message does not establish that a service still operates.

Compare equivalent services

Request complete quotations covering postage, collection, fuel or remote-area supplements, clearance, duties and possible return costs. Establish whether delivery times are aims or guarantees and what compensation excludes.

For a sale, check marketplace tracking and delivery-evidence requirements. For a valuable or fragile item, ask about cover for its actual category. Do not compare ordinary post and courier delivery solely by starting prices without the included services.

Account for the destination

Post Office explains customs forms and electronic information ↗. Goods from Great Britain to the EU require paperwork; Northern Ireland shipments have separate rules. A gift still needs checks against declaration and tax requirements.

From 1 July 2026, the EU introduced a €3 customs charge for many goods worth up to €150 ↗, with calculation linked to item types. For the USA, Royal Mail publishes a separate current process ↗. Do not assume that any purchase below the former $800 threshold is duty-free. Obtain a calculation for your actual contents and agree who pays with the recipient.

Hand over the parcel and keep evidence

Enter accurate information, print or obtain the label as instructed and remove old barcodes. Pack contents against movement and follow special rules for liquids and batteries. Keep photographs of the sealed parcel, the declaration and a receipt confirming physical acceptance.

Give the recipient tracking and explain possible document requests. When delayed, check the carrier and customs status rather than paying unfamiliar messages through their links. If returned, establish the reason before resending: repeating the same declaration can reproduce the problem.