How to Send a Package in the UK

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Whether you’re sending a gift to a loved one or operating a small business, you may at some point find that you have to mail a package to the UK. It’s a fairly straightforward process, and both the United States Postal Service and Royal Mail have made it easy to make sure your packages meet all their requirements so they can get to the right destination.

Things You Should Know

  • Be sure to box up your package with plenty of padding and tape to protect it during its journey.
  • If you're sending a package to the UK from the US, fill out a customs form and attach it to the package with clear tape or an adhesive envelope.
  • If you're mailing a pack from within the UK, you can conveniently purchase postage online with the Royal Mail App and drop it into your postbox, or you can take the package to a customer service point.
Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Sending a Package from the US to the UK

PDF download Download Article
  1. Your package has a long way to go, so make sure to surround the item or items on every side so it can’t slide around. Test if there’s enough padding by gently shaking the box side-to-side and up-and-down; if the items clang around, add more packaging materials. [1]
    • Bubble wrap, shredded paper, airbags, foam pieces, or crumpled paper can provide padding without adding too much extra weight to the package.
    • Save the packaging materials when you get mail and reuse them when you have parcels to send out.
    • If the contents of the package are fragile, write “FRAGILE” on each side of the box in large, all-cap letters.
    • Some prohibited items that you can’t ship to the UK include hand sanitizer, aerosols, alcohol, cigarettes, ammunition, fresh fruits and vegetables, nail polish, perfume, marijuana, and explosives.
  2. Make sure all the seams are tightly secured. If you need to, overlap 2 pieces of tape. Check to make sure there are no loose flaps on any part of the package. [2]
    • Avoid using twine, bows, ribbon, or other varieties of string to close your package. Those types of materials are likely to get caught or ripped during transportation.
    Advertisement
  3. Write a return address label in the upper lefthand corner of the package. If you’re reusing a box, make sure any old labels are removed or marked out with a black permanent marker. Use a pen or marker that will be easily visible against the color of the package, and write as neatly as you possibly can. Include your name or business, address, city, zip code, and country. [3]
    • The return address should look something like this:
      Maya Pataky
      123 Star Lane
      Akron, OH 44304
      USA
    • Don’t write with pencil—there’s too big a chance it could get smudged and become illegible.
    • Return addresses are required by the United States Postal Service for security purposes.
  4. Use a marker or pen to legibly write the address. Write the name, street address, town, post code, and destination country all in capital letters so that it’s easy to read. [4]
    • For example, a package going to London would look something like this:
      BOB CLOUDS
      1234 SUNNY ROAD
      LONDON W1P 6HQ
      UNITED KINGDOM
  5. All packages going from the US to the UK must have a customs form on the front. Fill in the required information, including details about the package’s content, weight, and value. Put the completed form into a special customs envelope and peel off the backing to stick it to the top of the package. Make sure the barcode on the form is visible! [5]
  6. You can calculate, pay for, and print shipping labels from home if you have a printer, or you can take your package to the post office and have them calculate the cost for you. Cost is based on weight, the dimensions of the package, and how quickly you want it to arrive at its destination. [6]
    • To calculate the amount of postage you’ll need, visit  https://postcalc.usps.com/?country=10440 .
    • For example, a small package weighing less than 4 pounds (1.8 kg) in a 13 by 11 in (330 by 280 mm) box would cost about $75 to ship.
    • To mail a book that weighs a little less than 1 pound (0.45 kg) in a small box or envelope would cost about $56.
    • To mail several candles that weigh about 10 pounds (4.5 kg) in a 12 by 12 in (300 by 300 mm) box would cost about $102.
  7. If you were able to fill out and print the forms and labels you needed at home, you can give smaller packages directly to your mail carrier and save a trip to the post office. [7]
    • If you give a package to your mail carrier that doesn’t have the right information, it’ll be returned to you.
  8. Larger packages have to be taken directly to the post office. While you’re there, you can check that you filled out the customs form correctly and that you’ve paid enough for the postage. [8]
  9. USPS is often the least expensive option for international shipping, especially for smaller packages. However, in some cases, companies like FedEx or UPS might be able to save you some money, especially if you’re shipping items that are heavier than 20 pounds (9.1 kg). [9]
    10. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Mailing a Package within the UK

PDF download Download Article
  1. Use lots of bubble wrap or shredded paper to ensure the contents of the package won’t slip around in transit. If you shake the box back-and-forth and can hear or feel the contents moving around, add more padding. [10]
    • To seal the box, use vinyl or nylon tape around all the edges.
    • If the contents are delicate or breakable, add a “FRAGILE” sticker to the package.
    • If you’re mailing perishable baked goods, wrap them in plastic wrap and then surround them in bubble wrap to keep them as safe and as fresh as possible.
    • Use an insulated foam container if you’re mailing food items that need to remain cold. You could also use gel packs or dry ice to keep the food from getting warm.
  2. If there is space, put the return address in the upper lefthand corner; if there isn’t space, put it on one of the sides of the package. Include your name or business name, street address, village or area, city, and postal code. Make the very first line of the return address say “Return Address.” [11]
    • Your return address will look something like this:
      Return Address
      Joy Glades
      77 Bright Lane
      Heswall
      Bournemouth
      BH1 1AA
  3. Leave 1–2 inches (25–51 mm) of space between the end of the address and the edges of the package if possible. Write legibly with a marker or pen that’s easy to see against the color of the box. If necessary, use a white label and write the address on top of that. Write the town’s name and post code in capital letters only. [12]
    • For example, the address might look something like this:
      Wallace Bumble
      345 Fromage Lane
      Heswall
      BOURNEMOUTH
      BH1 1AA 
  4. The app lets you track your packages, buy and print labels from home, measure your package for accurate postage, and keep track of shipments. You could also take your package to a customer service point if you don’t have a smartphone. [13]
    • If you have the app but can’t print labels at home, you can still purchase postage on the app and have the label printed for you when you take your shipment to a Royal Mail customer service point.
  5. If your package will fit inside a postbox and you printed the postage at home, you can simply put it inside the postbox and be on your way. If it’s too large or if you need to buy postage still, you’ll need to take it directly to your local customer service point to mail it. [14]
    • If you need proof of postage, visit a customer service point to have them process the package.
    • If your package is over 2 kilograms (4.4 lb), it shouldn’t go in a postbox.
    6. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • If you’re preparing a shipping label at home and don’t have sticky paper, that’s okay! Print it on normal printer paper and attach it to your package with clear tape. Cover the entire label so that it will be protected from inclement weather.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Packages going from the US to the UK can’t have a girth larger than 9 feet (2.7 m) or weigh more than 70 pounds (32 kg). [15]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      Things You’ll Need

      Sending a Package from the US to the UK

      • Sturdy box
      • Packaging materials
      • Pen or marker
      • 2 in (51 mm) wide tape
      • Customs label and envelope

      Mailing a Package within the UK

      • Sturdy box
      • Packaging materials
      • Pen or marker

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Track a Package Without a Tracking Number
      What to Do When Your UPS Package Is Missing (But Says Delivered)
      How to
      Contact FedEx
      What Does “In Transit” Mean & How Long Will It Take to Get Your Package?
      How to
      Measure a Box for Shipping
      How to
      Find a USPS Tracking Number
      What Does "Out for Delivery" Mean?
      How to
      Ship a Package with UPS
      How to
      Use a Uline Strapping Tool
      What Does “Package Being Processed at Carrier Facility” Mean?
      What is UPS Mail Innovations Expedited Shipping & How Does it Work?
      ​​Tipping Furniture Delivery Workers: Is It the Norm?
      How to
      Ship a Cake
      How to
      Pack Picture Frames for Shipping
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.usps.com/international/preparing-international-shipments.htm
      2. ↑ https://www.usps.com/international/preparing-international-shipments.htm
      3. ↑ https://pe.usps.com/text/imm/immc1_008.htm
      4. ↑ https://pe.usps.com/text/imm/immc1_008.htm
      5. ↑ https://about.usps.com/forms/ps2976b.pdf
      6. ↑ https://www.usps.com/international/preparing-international-shipments.htm
      7. ↑ https://www.usps.com/international/preparing-international-shipments.htm
      8. ↑ https://www.usps.com/international/preparing-international-shipments.htm
      9. ↑ https://www.easyship.com/blog/what-is-the-cheapest-way-to-ship-internationally
      1. ↑ https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/86/related/1
      2. ↑ https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/81
      3. ↑ https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/81
      4. ↑ https://www.royalmail.com/downloadapp?iid=HP_M2_3_BUYPOSTAGEAPP
      5. ↑ https://personal.help.royalmail.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/138
      6. ↑ https://www.usps.com/international/preparing-international-shipments.htm

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 37,639 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement