How To Find The Cheapest Shipping From UK To USA: A Complete Comparison
With increased cross-border shopping, international delivery has become a core part of the customer experience, not an afterthought. But while customers expect quick and reliable delivery, small and medium-sized brands must constantly balance speed with cost.
Every pound saved on shipping directly improves your margin, as costs can add up fast. And the complexity doesn’t stop at postage — you need to think about:
- Dimensional weight pricing (not just actual weight)
- Customs duties, VAT, and import regulations
- Packaging costs
- Returns handling
- Fulfilment delays
Finding the cheapest shipping from the UK to the USA isn’t just about picking the lowest courier fee. It’s about choosing the option that offers the best value for your business model — from cost and delivery time to service reliability and automation potential.
In this guide, we compare leading options like Bezos, Royal Mail, DHL, FedEx, UPS, and freight services, with updated rates and recommendations tailored for small and medium ecommerce companies.
Bezos: Your Go-To Fulfilment Partner

Alt text: The logo of Bezos.
When it comes to shipping from the UK to the USA, Bezos stands out as the most cost-effective and scalable solution—especially for ecommerce brands that need more than just postage. Bezos isn’t a courier; it’s a full-service fulfilment platform built to help you outsource storage, packing, shipping, and customer service under one system.
What Makes Bezos Different
Bezos offers a UK-wide and international network of fulfilment centres, making it a reliable choice for brands looking to grow in both domestic and overseas markets. Here's why it works well for ecommerce:
- Distributed fulfilment network: 63 fulfilment centres across 16 countries, including both the UK and USA. That means you can store products closer to customers and reduce shipping costs.
- Easy integration: Connects seamlessly with Shopify, WooCommerce, Amazon, BigCommerce, and over 30 other ecommerce platforms.
- Fast onboarding: Get set up and shipping within a few days—without needing your own warehouse or packing team.
- Real-time inventory tracking: Bezos' proprietary software provides full visibility on orders, stock levels, and shipping status.
- Automated shipping and returns: No need to manually create labels or chase couriers—everything is handled within the system.
- VAT and duty management: They handle cross-border customs compliance, which can be a nightmare post-Brexit for many UK sellers.
For small and medium ecommerce brands with repeat international orders, Bezos offers a more hands-off approach—giving you time to focus on growth while they handle operations.
Bezos for Cross-Border Ecommerce
What makes Bezos even more attractive for UK–US shipping is how it addresses some of the biggest pain points for ecommerce sellers:
- End-to-end visibility: Know where every parcel is and get notified if issues arise.
- No customs headaches: Their fulfilment model ensures compliant labelling and HS code assignment.
- US fulfilment: If you scale up, you can use their US fulfilment centres to store stock locally and deliver within the country even faster.
- Return management: They can handle both UK and US returns directly through their platform.
This matters because US customers expect Amazon-level delivery and service—even from international sellers. Bezos helps you meet those expectations without spending time managing warehouses or shipping providers.
Sample Pricing Breakdown
Here’s a breakdown of estimated costs based on real-world averages provided by Bezos and verified user case studies:
Costs can vary depending on parcel weight, destination, and volume—but for businesses sending high-frequency orders to the US, this model is far more efficient than managing packing and shipping in-house.
For more information, check out our detailed blog on US to UK shipping cost.
Why Choose Bezos Over Traditional Couriers?
Unlike couriers that offer postage alone, Bezos covers everything from picking and packing to labelling, shipping, returns, and reporting. That saves time, reduces human error, and offers economies of scale typically unavailable to small sellers.
Ready to cut international shipping costs and streamline your fulfilment? Visit Bezos to get a personalised quote and start shipping from the UK to the USA with reliable tracking, lower costs, and fewer headaches.
Express Couriers Compared: DHL, UPS, FedEx, Royal Mail & More
If you're not yet ready for a fulfilment partner like Bezos or just need to ship ad hoc orders to the USA, traditional couriers and shipping aggregators are your go-to. But rates, transit times, and services vary widely — and using the wrong option can quickly eat into your margins.
Below is a breakdown of the most common express courier services shipping from the UK to the US, including options via direct booking and third-party aggregators like Parcel2Go and Parcel Monkey.
1. Royal Mail & Evri

Alt text: The logo of Royal Mail & Evri.
Royal Mail remains a low-cost, no-frills option for small parcels (under 2kg) sent via post. However, it's slower and offers less tracking transparency compared to premium couriers.
One of the main advantages is that these services are budget-friendly, making them ideal for small and medium-sized businesses looking to keep shipping costs low. They also offer wide accessibility, with plenty of easily available drop-off points across the UK—no need to travel far to send your parcels.
However, the trade-off for lower costs is slower delivery times, which might not be ideal if you need packages to arrive quickly. There are also weight restrictions, which can limit what you’re able to send. Because of these limitations, this option isn’t suitable for urgent shipments or high-value ecommerce orders that require extra speed and security.
2. UPS (via Aggregators)

UPS offers a strong global infrastructure and competitive pricing when booked through platforms like Parcel Monkey or Easyship.
Through aggregators, you often get better rates than booking directly via UPS. Tracking is detailed, and reliability is high.
Tip: Print shipping labels from home to save additional surcharges.
3. FedEx International

FedEx is a strong contender for fast and mid-weight shipments from the UK to the US. While often priced slightly higher than UPS or DHL, it delivers solid tracking, customs handling, and insurance options.
Best for: ecommerce stores sending higher-ticket items or parcels needing guaranteed arrival within 48 hours.
4. Parcelforce Worldwide

Parcelforce is part of the Royal Mail Group but operates more like a traditional courier. It’s good for slightly heavier parcels (up to 30kg) and is integrated with most ecommerce platforms.
You can also add compensation cover for up to £2,500 in case of parcel loss or damage — a useful option for sellers handling valuable shipments.
Air Freight & Sea Freight for Bulk Shipping
While traditional couriers work well for small parcels and occasional shipments, ecommerce brands scaling their operations—or sending large volumes of stock to the USA—can reduce costs significantly by moving to air or sea freight.
These methods are ideal for:
- Restocking US-based warehouses
- Fulfilling large wholesale or B2B orders
- Lowering per-unit shipping costs at scale
Air Freight from the UK to the USA
Air freight sits between parcel delivery and ocean freight in terms of cost and speed. It's best used when your shipment is too large for courier services (i.e., >100kg), but speed is still a priority.
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Air freight is significantly faster than sea freight, making it a good option for time-sensitive deliveries. It’s also known for reliable schedules, with fixed departures and arrivals that reduce delays. Another benefit is the ability to track shipments from airport to airport, giving businesses greater visibility and control over their orders.
Cons
The speed and reliability come at a higher cost compared to sea freight, which may not be ideal for low-margin products. Pricing is also based on volumetric weight rather than just actual weight, so large but lightweight items can still incur high shipping fees. This can make budgeting more complex for certain shipments.
Tip: If using air freight, make sure your goods are consolidated and properly declared to avoid delays or fines at US customs.
Freight from the UK to the USA
For large shipments where delivery speed isn’t critical, sea freight is by far the cheapest option—especially for ecommerce businesses regularly moving bulk inventory to US warehouses or fulfilment centres.
You can ship via:
- FCL (Full Container Load): You lease the entire container. Best for large, high-volume shipments.
- LCL (Less than Container Load): You share container space with other businesses. Ideal for mid-sized loads.
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Sea freight is the most cost-effective option per unit, making it ideal for bulk shipments and businesses managing large volumes. It works well for long-term inventory planning, where speed isn’t a priority. You can also customise the logistics by using bonded warehouses at the destination, which helps with tax and duty management until the goods are cleared.
Cons
The major downside is the extended transit time—shipments can take up to 6–7 weeks when factoring in customs clearance and inland delivery. There’s also more paperwork involved, and coordination between multiple parties (freight forwarders, customs agents, warehouse teams) can add complexity to the process.
Tip: Consider using a freight forwarder (like Flexport or Freightos) that handles customs, documentation, and ground logistics so you're not managing 3–4 vendors for a single shipment.
Air vs Sea Freight: Which Should You Choose?
If you’re shipping over 100kg of stock on a regular basis to the US, air freight may strike the right balance between speed and efficiency. For seasonal inventory or wholesale restocking, sea freight is your best bet.
Hidden Cost Factors: Duties, Taxes & Dimensional Weight

Alt text: Illustration of a cardboard shipping box with a barcode label and surrounded by icons. Bold white text reads "Hidden Cost Factors: Duties, Taxes & Dimensional Weight" on a teal background.
Many ecommerce brands make the mistake of focusing only on courier fees when evaluating shipping costs. But cross-border shipping from the UK to the USA involves several hidden charges that can quickly turn a “cheap” option into an expensive one if not properly accounted for.
US Import Duties and Customs Thresholds
The USA has some of the most seller-friendly import regulations—but only if you’re aware of the key thresholds and how to take advantage of them.
US Section 321 De Minimis Rule
Shipments with a declared value of $800 USD or less are generally exempt from US duties and taxes, under Section 321 of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection code.
What this means for UK ecommerce sellers:
- You can send orders under $800 without paying import duty
- No formal customs entry is required
- It’s ideal for DTC brands sending regular low-value parcels
However:
- Only one shipment per consignee per day qualifies for the exemption
- The $800 limit includes shipping + product value
- Certain restricted goods (e.g. alcohol, tobacco, medical devices) are not eligible
VAT & Sales Tax Considerations
While the USA doesn’t charge VAT in the same way the UK does, ecommerce businesses must still be aware of:
- UK VAT at origin: You may still be liable for VAT at 20% when shipping goods out of the UK, unless they are zero-rated exports.
- US Sales Tax: Varies by state, and not typically collected at customs—though platforms like Shopify or Amazon may automatically calculate it during checkout.
- DDU vs DDP shipping: Who pays for taxes?
- DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid): Buyer pays at delivery. Can cause poor experience.
- DDP (Delivered Duty Paid): You pay and control the experience. Platforms like Bezos support this.
Dimensional Weight (Volumetric Pricing)
Couriers like FedEx, UPS, and DHL charge based on whichever is higher: the parcel’s actual weight or its dimensional weight (volume-based).
Dimensional Weight Formula: (Length × Width × Height in cm) / 5000 = Dimensional Weight in kg
Example
A lightweight t-shirt in a large box (40cm x 35cm x 30cm) = 42,000 / 5000
= 8.4kg chargeable weight (even if the real weight is only 0.5kg)
Tip: Use right-sized packaging and reduce wasted space to lower your cost-per-shipment.
Other Common Surcharges
When Fulfilment Partners Save You From Hidden Fees
Partners like Bezos bundle many of these into a transparent, fixed-rate fulfilment plan. Since they handle DDP shipments, customs declarations, and labelling, you:
- Avoid failed deliveries and buyer confusion
- Reduce refund/return risk due to taxes due on delivery
- Control margins more easily
For ecommerce brands scaling across borders, that kind of cost predictability matters just as much as the shipping speed.
Conclusion
Finding the cheapest shipping from the UK to the USA isn’t about picking the lowest number on a courier site. It’s about understanding the full picture—rates, duties, delays, tracking, and customer experience.
If you're sending a handful of parcels per month, comparison tools like Parcel2Go or Parcel Monkey might help cut costs. But for growing ecommerce brands aiming to scale in the US market, relying solely on ad hoc courier services won’t cut it. That’s where a full-service partner like Bezos offers a clear edge—handling everything from packing and labelling to cross-border VAT and fulfilment, all while keeping your cost per parcel low.
Don’t just ship—scale. Get your custom quote from Bezos today and start delivering to the US faster, more affordably, and without the usual headaches.
FAQ
How much to send 1kg parcel to USA from the UK?
With traditional couriers, a 1kg parcel costs around £8.50 via Royal Mail or £18–£23 with UPS. However, ecommerce brands using Bezos can ship from just £3.18 per parcel, with fulfilment and tracking included.
What is the cheapest shipping option to the USA?
For one-off parcels, Royal Mail is the cheapest, but lacks speed and reliability. For ecommerce businesses, Bezos offers the most cost-effective solution, combining fulfilment, packaging, and cross-border delivery in one streamlined service.
What is the best courier service from the UK to the USA?
UPS and DHL are strong standalone options, but for growing ecommerce brands, Bezos is the best overall choice. It handles everything—from storage and packing to customs and delivery—while keeping shipping costs low and service quality high.
Is it cheaper to ship from US or UK?
Shipping within the US is cheaper, which is why Bezos lets you store products in both UK and US fulfilment centres, helping UK brands deliver to American customers faster and at a much lower cost.