International shipping - how do I do it when it is not an option?

Mumma

Hello all

I would like to buy several items from a toy shop in the USA, but unfortunately they do not offer international shipping.
Is there such a thing as a third party company in the USA who will take delivery of the items on your behalf and then ship them over to the UK? If so, please could anybody recommend a company they have used before? I don't fancy a quick trip over to America to collect them in person!
Many thanks

Tealblue

Before you do anything else, contact the shop direct and ask if they would be willing to ship to the UK. Acknowledge the fact that you have noted from their website that they don't normally do so, but then stress how much you would appreciate it if they would be kind enough to make an exception. Make it clear you are willing to pay for a tracked/insured method of delivery. They can only say no - but may well say yes (I've done the same on a number of occasions).

dogstarheaven

It isn't cheap; I used one earlier this year for some clothing from various sources and it's called MyUS. You pay membership for around $7 then the shipping costs based on total weight of your parcel/s and then, with Fedex, you pay their delivery to your address in the UK. This includes custom & excise taxes. I paid around £50 or so for about £90 worth of goods. All in all, I was really pleased by the efficiency of the goods companies. Some were next day, and as soon as the other parcels arrived, it was down to me to activate delivery to the UK by paying for the shipping. It was done and dusted within 9 days no more.

Hope this helps.
(you might find other mail forwarding companies cheaper than MyUS but I went on someone's recommendation.)