A business guide to shipping to the USA from the UK

Sending goods to the United States used to be simple for most small parcels. Anything under a set value went in duty free with very little paperwork. That has changed, and it catches many businesses out. This guide covers how shipping to USA from UK works for a business today: what changed, how duties and taxes reach the buyer, what paperwork to prepare and where parcels tend to get stuck.

What Changed for UK Businesses Shipping to the USA

Until August 2025, most commercial parcels worth $800 or less entered the US duty free under what is known as the de minimis exemption. The UK government's business guidance confirms that from 29 August 2025 this was removed for commercial shipments. Most commercial shipments to the USA are now subject to import duties and more detailed customs requirements, regardless of their value. The amount payable depends on the goods, their country of origin and any applicable exemptions or preferential rates.

In June 2026, US Customs and Border Protection set out an indefinite suspension for goods arriving by any route other than the international postal network. Shipments sent by commercial carriers now need formal or informal customs entry and more data than before. If you want the background, we covered the first change in our US trade and tariff regulatory update.

The practical effect is that a small parcel to a US customer is no longer a simple one. Costs are higher, the paperwork matters more, and the sender or recipient may need to pay duty.

How Duties and Taxes Work on US Shipments

Duties on US imports are based on what the goods are and where they were made. According to the UK government, several charges can apply to the same shipment:

• Standard duty, set by the commodity code of the goods
• Additional tariffs based on country of origin
• Further tariffs on specific materials, such as metals

Customs clearance and administrative charges can apply on top. Rates change, so check the current duty for your product on the GOV.UK duties and customs service before you quote a customer. The UK-US Economic Prosperity Deal may also offer preferential rates for some goods.

The United States has no VAT. Instead, sales tax is set state by state, and it is separate from import duty.

Who Pays the Duty

The sender and the buyer agree who covers the duty. Under Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), the seller takes responsibility for the applicable import duties, taxes and agreed clearance costs. Under Delivered Duty Unpaid (DDU), the recipient may be asked to pay import duties and customs fees before receiving the parcel. DDU can lead to refused or delayed parcels if the customer was not expecting a bill, so tell them in advance, or price the duty into the sale.

What to Prepare Before You Ship

Carriers use the information you provide to calculate duties and clear the parcel, so errors cause delays. Several details that used to be optional are now needed. Prepare these for every shipment:

• An accurate description of each item, specific enough for customs to classify it
• The commodity (HS) code for each product
• The country of origin for each item, and for its component parts where relevant
• The value of the goods and the currency
• Full sender and recipient details, including a phone number and email for the recipient

Getting the HS code right matters most. Use the UK government's commodity code guidance for the export side and US guidance for import classification. If you are unsure, ask before the first shipment, not after a parcel has stopped at customs.

Goods That Need Extra Checks

Some products face more than duty. Check these before you promise a delivery date.

Food, Cosmetics and Similar Goods

The FDA regulates food and drink, drugs, medical devices and cosmetics. As we set out in our FDA review update, FDA-regulated goods must be submitted for review whatever their value or quantity, and low-value exemptions no longer apply.

Products Containing Metal

Aluminium products need the country of origin and the country where the metal was smelted on the commercial invoice. If the smelting country is unknown and reported as "UN", a much higher duty can apply.

Restricted and Prohibited Items

Some goods cannot be sent at all, and others need an export licence. Check the US Customs and Border Protection list of prohibited and restricted items, and the UK export control rules, before you book.

Delivery Options and Timings

Shipping to the USA from the UK is usually offered at a few speeds. Express services generally offer faster, day-definite delivery and suit time-sensitive orders. However, delivery times can still be affected by customs clearance and conditions on the route. Economy services cost less and suit larger or less urgent parcels, with the transport method depending on the carrier and service.

Transit times depend on the destination within the US and on customs clearance, which can add time if paperwork is incomplete. Ask for an estimate for your specific route rather than relying on a general figure.

Common Reasons US Shipments Are Delayed or Cost More

• Vague goods descriptions, such as "samples" or "parts"
• Missing or incorrect HS codes
• Country of origin left off, or not given for components
• A customer who did not expect a duty bill on a DDU shipment
• Products that need FDA review or other approvals
• Assuming a low-value order is automatically exempt from import duties

Most of these are fixed by preparing the invoice properly before the parcel leaves.

How CSM Handles Shipping to the USA

CSM provides international parcel services for businesses, with the USA among more than 120 countries served. The service levels available are CSM 12, a timed service in two to three days before noon, CSM Express, a day-definite service with transit times varying by country, and CSM Economy for larger or less urgent parcels. Delivery times range from one to seven days depending on destination and service.

CSM works with UPS, DHL and DPD, and through its associate companies AFFA and Sandrair offers air and sea freight for larger shipments. Your CSM account covers UK, European and worldwide shipping from one portal. Every shipment is tracked from collection, and your account is looked after by a named team with no call centres. The team advises on customs invoices, duties and taxes for each destination, and your local CSM branch will confirm the documentation needed before your first shipment.

To send a parcel to the USA with CSM, log in to your account, choose "Send a Parcel", enter the address and parcel details, print your label and arrange a collection. You can read more on our worldwide delivery service page, or contact your local CSM branch to talk through what your business sends to the USA.

FAQs

How do I send a parcel to the USA from the UK?

For a business, the usual route is a courier account. You book the parcel, supply a commercial invoice with accurate descriptions, commodity codes and countries of origin, print the label and arrange collection. With CSM, you log in, choose Send a Parcel, enter the details and arrange a collection.

Do I have to pay duty on parcels sent to the USA?

Usually, yes. The US removed its $800 de minimis exemption for commercial shipments on 29 August 2025. Most shipments are now subject to import duties and customs requirements regardless of value, although the amount payable depends on the goods, their origin and any applicable exemptions or preferential rates. The agreed shipping terms determine whether the sender or recipient pays.

Is there still a US de minimis threshold?

Not for commercial shipments sent by courier. The exemption has been suspended, and US Customs and Border Protection has said the suspension is indefinite for goods arriving by routes other than the postal network. Rules can change, so check current guidance before you ship.

Who pays the duty on a US shipment, the sender or the buyer?

It depends on the agreed shipping terms. Under DDP, the seller is responsible for applicable import duties, taxes and agreed clearance costs. Under DDU, the recipient may need to pay import duties and customs fees before receiving the parcel. Explain the arrangement to your customer before dispatch.

What documents do I need for shipping to the USA from the UK?

You need a commercial invoice with accurate descriptions, commodity codes, the country of origin for each item and its components, and the value of the goods. Some products also need extra information, such as FDA data or the country of smelting for aluminium. Your local CSM branch can advise on what to include.

How long does shipping to the USA take?

It depends on the service and the destination. CSM's international delivery times range from one to seven days, and customs clearance can add time. Contact your local CSM branch for an estimate on your route.

Further Reading

• Metal content and duty charges for US exports - what to put on the invoice for aluminium products
• US shipments international processing fee - a carrier fee applied to US imports
• A guide to correctly labelling parcels - getting the label right first time