Cheapest Shipping From USA to the UK

The UK was one of the first countries to embrace eCommerce, and online shopping continues to be a big trend here. Over the years, the citizens have come to embrace eCommerce and as such, adopting shipping strategies that cater to UK buyers will help your online business gain a foothold in this market. 

Interestingly, the US-UK trade channel has been promising for eCommerce business owners. According to Statista, the UK's eCommerce revenue is projected to reach around $144.2 billion by 2025. This figure signifies a vast market opportunity for both US and UK merchants.

If you want to establish a shipping channel from the US to the UK, you could be considering the best shipping options to explore to help you keep shipping costs low. 

We have compiled the most informative tips on how to get the cheapest shipping options from the United States of America to the United Kingdom. We’ll take you through how long it takes to deliver to the UK, the cost of shipping, which couriers operate there, and of course, which is the cheapest way to ship to the UK.

What Impacts the Shipping Cost?

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to shipping. Some factors will impact the shipping cost before you send your package to the shipping company. Understanding these factors is the first step to helping you save costs. These factors are:

• Courier service
• Delivery speed
• Weight of package
• Shipping distance
• Package dimensions

To stay ahead in your shipping game, it is essential to consider these factors carefully before going on to ship. Sometimes, you may want to cut down on the weight and dimension of your package by choosing the most suitable packaging and doing away with excess packaging materials. Consider comparing prices from available couriers. Easyship’s free shipping calculation is your go-to solution on this.

Most importantly, the delivery speed significantly determines how much you'll be spending to ship your parcel from the US to the UK. If you want it delivered early, expedited shipping is an excellent option, though it will cost you more. Slower services will cost you less, but you and your customer decide on which to prioritize between cost and lead time.

What's the Cheapest Shipping from the USA to the UK?

There are several cheap shipping options you can rely on for sending your package from the US to the UK. While shipping couriers offer competitive and fast services, there are also a few cheap ones to help you save money. However, it's important to remember that the more affordable options have a longer delivery lead time, which can stretch up to 10 days and even beyond.

If you're not particular about the delivery date but concerned about getting your goods delivered and saving some bucks, these are options you should consider during your next shipment.

• USPS Priority Mail
• DHL eCommerce - Parcel Direct
• UPS Worldwide Expedited®

Here are the example rates for a parcel weighing 5lbs and measuring 10in x 5in x 5in from Brooklyn, New York to London, UK 

Product Category: Accessory (no battery)

Dimensions - 10in x 5in x 5in 

Weight - 5lbs

Origin- New York

Destination- London

With

‍

As the table above shows, shipping costs vary and are primarily determined by the delivery speed.UPS Worldwide Expedited® offers the best value in terms of price and delivery, compared to UPS Worldwide Express®, which is more expensive, but faster delivery date. DHL also offers different shipping prices from the US to the UK. However, the delivery dates are quite stretched compared to UPS and the price is higher.

If you are based in the US and need to ship packages to customers in the UK, there are many things you can do to ensure you make the most of affordable shipping options. You need to use a shipping rate calculator to find the cheapest way to ship to the UK. This way, you can understand the rates charged by shipping companies and third-party agents.

Related Post The Best Parcel Delivery Service in The UK

Tips for Finding the Cheapest Shipping from the USA to the UK

One of the best ways to get the cheapest shipping from the US to the UK is to compare prices from available couriers. While this is correct, we cannot underestimate vital elements that you could incorporate to make shipping cheaper. Here are some of our top picks:

1. Use a shipping platform for discounted rates

Trying to ship on your own can be pretty challenging. The most tedious part could be comparing prices from different couriers, navigating through their websites and making multiple entries to get estimated shipping. You could be discouraged along the way if you compare with many couriers.

A better way to automate this process is to use an all-in-one shipping platform that allows users to compare prices from different couriers in one dashboard. Instead of going through the hassle of switching from one website to another, a shipping platform optimizes the process, allowing you to access all available couriers, their services, delivery time, and costs.

Another upside of shipping platforms is that you get discounted shipping rates occasionally. So, a shipping platform will not only save you some good time but also save you some bucks.

2. Use free packages from USPS and UPS

You will likely spend money on packaging materials besides the shipping cost. Some entrepreneurs add this cost to their shipping expenses, which is the right thing to do. The good news is that you can cut down costs on packing materials.

Couriers like UPS and USPS give customers free packaging boxes as part of their customer service so that you can take advantage of them every time you ship. These free boxes are available on request, so use them, and you'll be glad you did.

3. Reuse packaging materials

Did you receive a package recently? Did you trash the box or recycle it? One good thing about packaging boxes and materials is that you can reuse them for future shipping. Instead of getting new ones, reuse the old ones to save you extra money for getting new ones.

International Shipping: Things to Consider

While looking for the cheapest package to ship to the UK, you may have to consider customs duties for certain types of goods. This includes the fact that you will have to complete a customs declaration form where you’ll need to detail the contents of your parcel. Easyship can help you do this with automatically generated customs forms when you ship internationally.

Don’t forget that the UK will have a list of restricted or prohibited items, and you should be aware that your package doesn’t breach these protocols. Similarly, if the contents of your package are fragile, you should let your courier know. Be aware that this may affect your ability to find the cheapest way to ship to the UK.

Do FedEx, UPS, and USPS Ship to the UK?

FedEx, UPS, and the United States Postal Service (USPS) offer a variety of international shipping services from the US to the UK. So, whether you’re looking for speedy service with all the trimmings or simply the cheapest shipping from the USA to the UK, there’ll always be a service to suit your budget and needs. Here are the courier services available:

• Shipping to The UK with FedEx
• FedEx offers the following delivery services to The UK from the US:
• FedEx International Priority (2 business days)
• FedEx International Economy (4 business days)

Shipping to The UK with UPS®

UPS offers a handful of ways to ship from The US to The UK, including:

• UPS Express Plus® (1-2 business days, by 9 AM)
• UPS Express® (1-3 business days, by 10:30 AM - 12 noon)
• UPS Express Saver® (1-5 business days)
• UPS Expedited® (2-5 business days)
• UPS Standard® (Arrives on the date scheduled)

Shipping to The UK with USPS

You can ship to The UK with USPS in any of the following ways, and the more expensive options are at the top:

• Global Express Guaranteed (1-3 business days)
• Priority Mail Express International (3-5 business days)
• Priority Mail International (6-10 business days)
• First-Class Package International (delivery time varies by destination)

12 UK Shipping Tips and Mistakes

Successful shipping involves getting the best deals and liaising with reputable couriers. There are certain tips you should consider and lots of mistakes you should avoid. Some of these include:

1. Ease the shipping process by using a platform that will automate much of the process, like Easyship
2. Offer your customers a range of shipping options (and accurate rates!)
3. Check the recipient’s destination country address to avoid errors in package delivery
4. Avoid entering inaccurate weight and dimensions for your parcels and packages - doing so means you’ll end up paying more than you should for shipping
5. Don’t depend on one shipping carrier - try transacting multiple carriers
6. Have a clear, easy-to-understand return policy for your customers
7. Understand the customs requirements and regulations for each country you want to ship to before you proceed with international shipping
8. Take your time to consider the transit times for shipping services before you make a choice
9. Don’t forget insurance - Easyship can offer up to $10,000 in insurance coverage
10. When addressing your package, you can simply select the United Kingdom, or the name of the specific country i.e. England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
11. Make sure you have the right postal code - most UK postcodes are six or seven figures long, made up of letters and numbers, and divided into two sections i.e. SW1 3FR
12. You may be charged duties and taxes for importing certain products to the UK. You should check this and decide whether you or the parcel recipient will pay for these.

The challenges posed by Brexit should also be considered, even though there are speculations that it might not affect shipping, at least for now. However, none of this should affect your ability to find the cheapest way to ship to the UK.

How Long Does Shipping to the UK Take?

Whether you choose a cheap service or more expensive options for shipping, it’s always important to know how long it will take for your parcel to arrive at its destination. For cheap parcel delivery to the UK - or indeed, any country - the delivery time is determined mostly by the type of delivery or courier service you chose.

For example, parcels shipped using expedited delivery services can reach the UK within an estimated delivery time of 1-2 business days. For those that are shipped through economy delivery service, delivery times can be up to 16 days or more. Understandably, same day delivery is unavailable for most global shipping.

For example, FedEx International Drop Off is one of the cheapest shipping options to the UK and takes about 2-5 days for parcels to be delivered. It’s designed mainly for those looking for a combination of on-time delivery and cheap parcel delivery for the UK.

DHL offers DHL Express as one of the fastest ways to ship parcels or packages to the UK, with a 1-2 business days delivery duration. So, as you can see, the delivery time depends on the courier service provider and the chosen service option.

Effectively managing the cost of international shipping has never been easier! Especially if you’re looking for the cheapest way to ship to the UK, or the most affordable shipping from the USA to the UK.

Easyship is the top shipping and logistics platform, with a network of over 550+ courier services globally. This has allowed us to negotiate the best shipping discounts available. Some of our major discounts include:

Sign up for an Easyship account today and let us help you make an informed decision on the cheapest way to ship to the UK and beyond.

Shipping to The UK FAQ

Why is shipping to the UK so expensive?

High distance, potential import duties & VAT on the total value (goods + shipping rates) can contribute to expensive USA-UK shipping for your eCommerce store.

Does Alibaba ship to the UK?

Yes, but Alibaba shipments are usually routed to Amazon warehouses or those of other importers who facilitate the import of these shipments from China.

What is the cheapest way to ship from the USA to the UK?

The cheapest way to ship from the USA to UK depends on your package weight and urgency, but Easyship can help you compare rates and find the most cost-effective option for your eCommerce business.

How much does it cost to ship to the UK?

Easyship negotiates discounted rates with multiple carriers to get you the best price on shipping to the UK.

How much does it cost to ship from USA to UK?

The cost to ship from USA to UK with Easyship depends on factors like weight, speed, and chosen courier, but Easyship helps you find cost-effective options.

Cheapest way to ship a package to UK?
USPS First-Class Package International or a multi-carrier integration like Easyship.

How can I ship from USA to UK?
Use USPS, UPS, FedEx, or shipping aggregators like Easyship for better rates.

How much does it cost to ship from USA to UK?
Prices vary, but USPS First-Class starts around $15; UPS/FedEx may cost $30+ for small packages.