100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Royal Mail is far from the only company you can use to send a package from the United Kingdom to the USA. Courier companies like FedEx, DHL, TNT, or DPD, and various online shipping aggregators are often cheaper. We compared how to send a package to the USA most cheaply.
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What You Can and Cannot Send in a Package to the USA in 2026
Some items officially cannot be sent to the USA, although they occasionally reach the addressee. If customs officers detect a shipment containing prohibited content, it will be destroyed. Pay attention to customs limits. For private shipments marked as a gift between individuals, the duty-free limit remains $100. For other shipments (purchases, commercial goods), the exemption limit is higher (Section 321 de minimis is $800), but duty or tax may still be assessed depending on the specific content. The average duty rate is 5.63%, but it always depends on the commodity.
🍷 Alcohol
Sending alcoholic beverages to the USA via Royal Mail is strictly prohibited; this applies to beer, wine, and spirits. While some private couriers may handle alcohol, it requires strict licensing and paperwork. Attempting to send it via standard mail is a violation of international postal agreements.
🚬 Cigarettes, Cigars, and Other Tobacco Products
Sending cigarettes and chewing tobacco (including electronic cigarettes and refills) to the USA is generally prohibited or heavily restricted due to the PACT Act. You may send cigars in limited quantities under strict conditions, but they are often subject to taxation upon arrival.
💊 Medicines
You can send medicines for personal use if the active ingredient is not prohibited in the USA. For prescription drugs, I strongly recommend enclosing a doctor’s note or prescription copy in English. The shipment should not contain more than a 90-day supply.
🥩 Food
Sending perishables like sausages, meat, dairy products, soft cheeses, and fresh produce is prohibited. Conversely, you can send non-perishable holiday cookies, hard candies, chocolate, flour, bread, or other baked goods to the USA via mail, ideally in the original packaging. Note that the US FDA officially requires a “Prior Notice” for all food shipments, though small personal gifts often pass without it.
🔥 Sprays and Aerosols
Deodorants, antiperspirants, hairsprays, spray paints, and all other aerosols must not be sent to the USA by mail or air freight from the UK due to safety regulations regarding pressurized containers.
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Royal Mail and Packages to the USA: Postage, Customs Forms…
Royal Mail and Parcelforce offer several services for sending a package to the USA. They differ in delivery speed, maximum weight, and price. You can easily calculate the cost on the postal website.
The maximum permissible dimensions for a standard parcel to the United States are typically length + width + depth no more than 90cm, with no single side longer than 60cm (or different limits for Parcelforce). A customs declaration (CN22 or CN23) must be attached to the shipment, and data about the package must be sent electronically in advance (EAD).
✉️ International Economy
Through this service, you can send a letter or smaller package up to 2 kg. This is the budget option (formerly known as Surface Mail). Delivery time is slow, usually ranging from 6 to 12 weeks depending on shipping schedules (transported by sea).
✉️ International Standard
A faster and reliable alternative to the Economy service. The usual delivery time is 6–7 working days. The shipment generally must not weigh more than 2 kg unless using printed paper services.
✉️ Printed Papers (Economy/Standard)
A service suitable for sending a larger quantity of books, magazines, or printed materials to a single addressee. Weight limits may reach up to 5 kg depending on the specific offering, with delivery times matching the Economy or Standard speeds mentioned above.
✉️ International Tracked & Signed
A variant of the standard airmail service that includes full tracking to the delivery point and requires a signature upon delivery. Delivery time is approximately 5–7 working days. This is the recommended option for peace of mind.
📦 Parcelforce Global Value
For larger packages (over 2 kg) sent via the Post Office, Parcelforce Worldwide handles the transport. This is the economic option, taking approximately 5–9 days (sometimes longer depending on customs). You receive a tracking number.
📦 Parcelforce Global Priority
A faster variant with a shorter delivery time of roughly 3–5 working days. It includes tracking and is suitable for urgent standard parcels.
📦 Parcelforce Global Express
The fastest postal option to the USA. The package is delivered usually within 1–3 working days after arriving in the destination country.
📦 Insured Shipping (Valuables)
If sending jewelry, gold, precious metals, or other valuables, you must use a service that allows for high compensation cover. Standard Royal Mail compensation is often limited to $250 (approx. £250). For higher values, Parcelforce allows enhanced compensation for a fee. Ensure the value does not exceed the US carrier limit for insurance.
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How to Send a Package to the USA Cheapest Without Royal Mail
Packages to the USA can also be sent via private courier services. They are often cheaper and more reliable than the standard post for heavier items. Companies operating in the UK include DHL, DPD, FedEx, UPS, Evri, and TNT.
For courier companies, a customer with a single package is too small to get the best rates. Therefore, it is more advantageous to use the services of a courier broker (shipping aggregator). These brokers contract shipment for a large volume of packages, gaining a volume discount they can pass on to the customer.
In practice, it works simply. The customer fills out a form online with package details and selects a pickup point or courier collection. You pay the postage by card, and the shipment travels to the USA with a renowned transport company (e.g., FedEx, UPS).
📦 Online Courier Comparison Sites
Various portals allow you to compare shipping costs to the USA across multiple carriers like FedEx or UPS. Maximum package weight can often go up to 50 kg or more.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Sending Packages to the USA
How Do I Write a US Address Correctly?
The address is written similarly to domestic mail. The first line contains the recipient’s name, below that the house number and street, followed by the city, the ZIP code with the relevant state abbreviation, and “USA” on the last line. You can find an example in the article how to properly write an American address.Where Do I Get the Customs Form for International Shipments?
Handwritten forms are being replaced by digital data. For shipments to the USA, it is now mandatory to transmit customs data electronically (EAD). We recommend using the Royal Mail “Click & Drop” online service to pay for postage and generate the label with the customs data embedded. You then just print it and drop it off. If you go to a Post Office branch, they will enter the data for you, but it may take longer. For items with a value over $800, a more detailed commercial invoice may be required by the carrier.
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