Posting to USA

Techno

Can anyone recommend a reliable courier to deliver something to the USA from UK? Value about £400 and weight approx  6kg, dimensions roughly 60x40x50 I have sent a parcel of same weight, value and dimensions via ebays global shipping programme and it cost the customer $90 which we both thought was a bit excessive. I am looking online but they don't advertise how reliable they are 😜 Many thanks in advance

soolin

Techno said:

Can anyone recommend a reliable courier to deliver something to the USA from UK? Value about £400 and weight approx  6kg, dimensions roughly 60x40x50 I have sent a parcel of same weight, value and dimensions via ebays global shipping programme and it cost the customer $90 which we both thought was a bit excessive. I am looking online but they don't advertise how reliable they are 😜 Many thanks in advance

Remember that if you ship direct you will need to take care of all the export requirements and ensure you have an export number (name of which completely escapes me!)
I can't help with couriers overseas as I stopped shipping when the post started to carry warning about delays, but also remember to adjust your dispatch times to cover any hold ups (lack of ait travel means parcels might get delayed) as otherwise you might find yourself with an INR case being opened whilst item is still en route. 

Techno

thanks, Soolin. This one would be a private sale rather than via eBay. I haven't posted anything overseas without the GSP for many years so not sure which companies are reliable. Will also need to investigate the export requirements.

soolin

Techno said:

thanks, Soolin. This one would be a private sale rather than via eBay. I haven't posted anything overseas without the GSP for many years so not sure which companies are reliable. Will also need to investigate the export requirements.

In that case you definitely need the export  number certificate thingy and comply with the new tax requirements as ebay won't be doing it as they are  not involved. I think we have sellers on here that are still sending overseas and may be able to assist you further. 

martindow

soolin said:

Techno said:

thanks, Soolin. This one would be a private sale rather than via eBay. I haven't posted anything overseas without the GSP for many years so not sure which companies are reliable. Will also need to investigate the export requirements.

In that case you definitely need the export  number certificate thingy and comply with the new tax requirements as ebay won't be doing it as they are  not involved. I think we have sellers on here that are still sending overseas and may be able to assist you further. 

Commodity code!

https://www.gov.uk/trade-tariff

I'm not sure how much we will be able to help as this is US to UK rather than the direction most of us send in.  I'm afraid I can't help at all regarding delays as I have sent nothing across the Atlantic recently.  There is an issue with the lack of planes travelling at the moment as most airfreight goes in passenger planes rather than dedicated freight carrying aircraft so there can be delays waiting for space.

The sender will need to list all of the items with their codes and values.  On arrival, VAT will be charged on goods plus carriage cost and there may be a bit of duty to pay.  The commodity code pages linked to above will let you know how much that will be.  The carrier will charge for customs clearance - around 10-15 pounds typically.  I would use a door to door carrier as you don't want to be paying lots of additional fees releasing the box at an airport and paying for onward delivery.

Techno

Thanks, martindow. I am sending cardboard jigsaw puzzles all by the same manufacturer but different sizes so will need to find out the commodity code for those.

Spoonie_Turtle

martindow said:

soolin said:

Techno said:

thanks, Soolin. This one would be a private sale rather than via eBay. I haven't posted anything overseas without the GSP for many years so not sure which companies are reliable. Will also need to investigate the export requirements.

In that case you definitely need the export  number certificate thingy and comply with the new tax requirements as ebay won't be doing it as they are  not involved. I think we have sellers on here that are still sending overseas and may be able to assist you further. 

Commodity code!

https://www.gov.uk/trade-tariff

I'm not sure how much we will be able to help as this is US to UK rather than the direction most of us send in.  I'm afraid I can't help at all regarding delays as I have sent nothing across the Atlantic recently.  There is an issue with the lack of planes travelling at the moment as most airfreight goes in passenger planes rather than dedicated freight carrying aircraft so there can be delays waiting for space.

Is it?

I read the OP as to the USA from the UK.  The last I checked the threshold for any customs charges into the US was about $2000 so not something private buyers usually have to worry about - though of course the customs form still has to be filled in properly, which will also give it the best chance of not being held up in customs in either country.

Techno

yes, I am sending from the UK to the USA - cost of items is £320. I am astounded by the cost of postage - I could buy a plane ticket there for some of the prices I am being quoted 😂😂

Spoonie_Turtle

Techno said:

yes, I am sending from the UK to the USA - cost of items is £320. I am astounded by the cost of postage - I could buy a plane ticket there for some of the prices I am being quoted 😂😂

Just a lightweight small parcel can be getting on for a tenner to send without any tracking, so I'm actually not surprised tbh.  The price of international postage can be absolutely horrendous.

martindow

Spoonie_Turtle said:Is it?

I read the OP as to the USA from the UK.  The last I checked the threshold for any customs charges into the US was about $2000 so not something private buyers usually have to worry about - though of course the customs form still has to be filled in properly, which will also give it the best chance of not being held up in customs in either country.

Yes you're quite right.  I saw $90 in the OP and jumped to(incorrect) conclusions.

As compensation here is the commodity code for puzzles of all kinds which is 95030069 unless the pieces of the jigsaw are wooden in which case you should use 95030061

Techno

Yes the gentleman I am posting to lives in the US. Thank you for the commodity code 😁