HOW TO SEND GIFTS TO THE USA

How much will it cost to send a gift to USA?

How is the cost calculated?

How much your parcel costs to send to the USA will depend on the International service you choose, as well as the weight of your parcel. We will either use the actual weight or the volumetric weight, depending on which one is more.

The volumetric weight tells us how much the parcel could hold and is calculated by: length x width x height in centimetres (cm) divided by 4000. For ease, we have a handy volumetric calculator which you can use to work this out.

Top tips to keep costs down

Volumetric weight takes into account your parcel size and the weight it could hold. Which means even if you’re sending an item which is light, popping it into a large box will still effect the price you pay. To keep costs down, we recommend using purpose-fit boxes – as a rule of thumb, there should be 6cm of space between the item and the box’s walls.

Customs advice and support

Any parcel or gift delivery to the USA will need to be accompanied by a customs invoice. This tells customs agents what is inside the parcel and is used to calculate if any duties and taxes are payable.

There’s two types of invoices: pro-forma (for gifts and personal items) and commercial (for goods sold). As part of the booking process, we’ll gather all of the information we need to generate the correct type of invoice. To avoid delays, you should provide a detailed description of the item you are sending. Always include: what the item is, what it is made from and what it will be used for.

Once you’ve paid for your delivery, 5 copies of the customs invoice will print with your shipping label. Securely attach all paperwork to the outside of your parcel – we recommend using a clear envelope to protect your invoice from the elements.

Do I need to pay duty or taxes on gifts sent to the USA?

You can send gifts to America up to the value of $100 free of duty and taxes. Just make sure that the gift is sent to a residential address (not a business address) and that you select ‘Gift’ as your reason for sending in the ‘Customs’ section of our booking form.

The gift allowance of $100 is per individual so it is possible to send a consolidated gift package worth more than this to a family in the USA. When preparing your consolidated gift package, make sure you follow the below advice:

	Wrap each item individually
	Label items clearly with the recipient’s name
	Provide the total value
	In the description, give the recipient’s name, the nature of the item you are sending and the value, for example: To Jane Smith – cotton t-shirt $15, leather bag $80 To John Smith – silk shirt $60, leather wallet $30

It’s important to note that if one item exceeds the $100 threshold, the entire parcel will be liable for duty. For more customs advice, take a look at the US Customs and Border Protection website.

Holidays in America

When sending a gift to celebrate a public holiday, for example Independence Day or Thanksgiving, remember to send in plenty of time in order to avoid delays.

Sending birthday gifts to the USA: Ideas & Inspiration

Struggling for gift ideas? Why not send your loved one a taste of the UK with some quintessentially British food? Cadburys chocolate, Walkers crisps or McVities biscuits may seem like cupboard-staples to us, but would make an exciting gift for someone who isn’t able to easily pick up a packet at their local supermarket. When sending food, make sure it’s unopened, in its original packaging and has a shelf life of over 6 months.

Take a look at some more gift ideas below:

Photo book or framed photo

Something locally produced
(for an authentically British gift)

Their favourite book
(often the UK version will have different cover artwork)

Clothes
(especially if the brand isn’t available in the USA)

Before sending your gift, make sure you check out our list of prohibited and restricted items to ensure it is allowed through our network.