How to ship to the United States from the UK without customs delays
A step by step guide to shipping from the UK to the USA, including customs paperwork, duties and avoiding common hold ups.
The United States is one of the most popular destinations for UK senders, and also one where small paperwork mistakes cause the most delays. This guide walks through how to ship to the United States from the UK so your parcel clears customs smoothly.
The good news is that almost every US customs delay comes from a handful of avoidable paperwork issues. Get those right once and your parcels move predictably, which matters even more if you sell to American customers and have delivery promises to keep.
Get the commercial invoice and HS codes right
US customs needs an accurate description, value and commodity code for what you are sending. Vague descriptions like goods or gift are a common cause of holds. Pigee prompts you for the right details and prepares the documentation for you.
Understand the duties thresholds
Different value thresholds affect whether duties apply on arrival. Declaring the true value protects you from penalties, and Pigee shows you the likely duty position before you book so there are no surprises for your recipient.
Choose a carrier with strong US coverage
Carriers such as DHL, UPS and FedEx have established US clearance processes. Pigee compares them for your specific parcel and route so you get the best balance of price and reliable clearance.
Avoid the common hold ups
- Incomplete or inaccurate customs descriptions.
- Missing recipient phone number or email for clearance contact.
- Undervaluing the parcel, which can trigger inspection.
- Sending restricted items without checking the rules first.
Frequently asked questions
How long does customs clearance to the USA take?
Most correctly documented parcels clear US customs within a day or two. Delays usually trace back to vague descriptions, missing values or an undervalued declaration, all of which Pigee helps you avoid by prompting for the right details.
Do I need an EORI number to ship from the UK to the USA?
Businesses exporting from the UK generally need an EORI number for customs. Pigee flags what is required for your shipment so you are not caught out at the border.
Sending to the United States works best when the commercial invoice, value and commodity codes all agree. Pigee assembles these for you and prompts for a recipient contact, which is the detail that most often holds parcels at the border when missing.