HOW TO SEND GIFTS ABROAD
SEND PRESENTS OVERSEAS ANDSTAY CONNECTED WITH THOSE
WHO MATTER MOST
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HOW TO SEND A GIFT TO SOMEONE ABROAD
We all know how hard it can be to stay connected with loved ones who live overseas – work, time zones and busy lives often get in the way of a proper catch-up. If you are missing a friend or relative abroad, a thoughtful present sent through the post is one of the best ways to show you care.
Whether you’re celebrating their birthday, saying congratulations or simply sending a surprise “just because”, we’ve got it! DHL eCommerce UK makes it easy to send gifts abroad safely, quickly and affordably. With some of the best international delivery rates available, your gift could reach their doorstep in as little as 3 days.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY SERVICE FOR YOUR GIFT
From Dublin to Düsseldorf, New Delhi to Dunedin, Dubai to Denver - wherever your loved ones are, DHL eCommerce UK helps your gifts travel the world.
Pick the international delivery service that’s right for you: International Economy for low-cost sending, Worldwide Air for speed, or European Road for the perfect in-between.
|
Service |
What is it for? | Ideal for | Delivery Speed | Max Weight & Dimensions | Coverage | £50 Free Contents Cover | Tracking |
| International Economy | Our most affordable way to send gifts overseas. Final delivery is handled through our trusted local postal partners. | Non-urgent presents and care packages | 3 to 10+ Working Days | 25kg; 90cm x 90cm x 50cm | Worldwide | Yes | Yes |
| European Road | Designed for gifts heading to Europe - a balance of speed and affordability via our extensive road network. | Presents for family and friends across Europe. | 2 to 7 Working Days | 25kg; 120cm x 60cm x 60cm or 100cm x 80cm x 80cm | Europe Only | Yes | Yes |
| Worldwide Air | Our premium service for time-sensitive or valuable gifts. Your present will travel quickly via our global air network. | Last-minute or high-value gifts that need to arrive fast. | From 2 Days | 25kg; 120cm x 80cm x 80cm | Worldwide | Yes | Yes |
Simply enter your destination and gift parcel dimensions/weight in our Quick Quote to see available prices and delivery times for each service. However far your presents need to travel, we’ll make sure they arrive safely and on time!
NEED YOUR GIFT TO ARRIVE BY A CERTAIN DATE?
When you’re sending a gift abroad, timing matters – especially for special occasions. Whether it’s a birthday surprise, a Christmas present or a Valentine’s Day treat for someone far away, we recommend booking your delivery slot as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Please keep in mind that public holidays in the destination country may delay delivery, particularly during busy festive seasons. We include key national public holidays on each of our international parcel destination pages.
Find out what they are for some of our most popular destinations:
USA | Canada | Australia | New Zealand | France | Germany | Spain | Italy
RESTRICTED AND PROHIBITED ITEMS
Before booking your parcel delivery, we recommend checking our list of international restricted and prohibited items to ensure your item doesn’t appear. Some common gifts, like alcohol and perfume, cannot be sent internationally.
It’s also a good idea to check the government website of the country you are sending the parcel to as restrictions can vary from country-to-country. If you do send a prohibited item, you risk your parcel getting stopped by customs, returned to you, or even destroyed.
Here are some examples of what you can and can’t send:
| Can Send | Can't Send |
| Books, notepads and diaries | Alcohol |
| Jewellery | Perfume/Aftershave |
| Foodm such as chocolate, biscuits, tea, coffee, etc. (shelf life of 6+ months, in original packaging) |
Lithium batteries (found in phones and laptops) |
| Photo books, posters or prints | Perishable food |
| Clothing, hats and scarves (non-designer) | Plants or flowers |
| Soft toys and plushies | Designer goods |
| Figurines and models | Litium-ion batteries |
WE’VE GOT YOUR GIFTS COVERED!
Every gift you send with DHL eCommerce UK is handled with care. Our international deliveries include standard contents cover and full tracking, so you can follow your present’s journey from collection to delivery.
We provide £50 free contents coverage as standard. However, if your gift is particularly valuable, you can choose to add extra cover for items worth up to £5,000 for complete peace of mind. We always recommend avoiding items that can’t be replaced - like family heirlooms or one-of-a-kind keepsakes - just in case.
For added confidence, you can track your parcel throughout its journey right up to the recipient’s door.
PACKAGING YOUR GIFT
We know how important presentation is when sending a gift abroad – you want it to look as special as it feels. However, international deliveries can sometimes be opened for customs agents for inspection.
If your present is wrapped in paper, it may be unwrapped during these checks. To keep things looking great, we recommend placing your gift inside a decorative bag or box instead of traditional wrapping paper. This way, it still feels special when your loved one opens it.
Because your parcel will travel thousands of miles and will be handled several times along the way, it’s important to package it securely to protect it from damage. Wrap fragile items in plenty of bubble wrap and fill any empty spaces in the box with packing materials (foam peanuts, shredded paper, corrugated cardboard sheet) to stop movement during transit.
For more advice and guidance, take a look at our packaging guides – including our How to Package Parcels for International Delivery guide.
SENDING GIFTS ABROAD - CUSTOMS FORMS
When sending a parcel abroad, it will need to be accompanied by a customs invoice. There are two types of customs invoice – commercial and pro-forma – the pro-forma is used when sending gifts.
Don’t worry if this sounds complicated. During the booking process, we’ll collect all the information we need to generate the correct customs invoice for you. Five copies will print with your shipping label. Simply secure them to the outside of your parcel so they’re easy for customs agents to access.
To prepare your customs paperwork, you’ll need to provide a few key details during the booking:
- Sender details: Your full name, address and telephone number
- Recipient details: The recipient’s name, address, email address and telephone number
- Reason for export: Select ‘Gift’ from the drop-down.
- VAT status: Choose ‘Personal individual’ from the drop-down.
- Country of origin: Where the item was manufactured or produced.
- Description: Be specific. Instead of ‘gift,’ write something like ‘cotton scarf’ or ‘wooden photo frame.’
- Value: Give an accurate value for the gift you are sending. If customs think it’s incorrect, they may adjust it.
- Tariff code: An 8-digit number that tells the customs official what’s inside your parcel. You can search or choose from common items directly in our booking form.
DUTIES AND TAXES ON PRESENTS SENT ABROAD
Some gifts may be subject to customs duties or taxes before they can be delivered. These are usually paid by the recipient, though in many countries, gifts under a certain value are exempt from import charges.
For example, you can send a gift to your loved one in the USA worth less than $100 without paying any import tax. Rules differ between destinations, so it’s always worth checking local regulations before you send.
Wherever your loved ones are, DHL eCommerce UK makes international gift delivery simple - helping your presents reach their destination safely and on time.