Shipping from UK to US: How Long Does It REALLY Take?

The trade relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States has become quite strong over the last few years. I hope you all know that shipping from UK to US is quite cheap. Even after considering ocean freight, sea freight, air freight, and road taxes, the charge for the entire procedure is quite nominal. But do you know how long does shipping from UK to US take?

To get a full understanding of the time duration, read the blog till the end. We will not only discuss how long shipping from UK to US take. But also we would focus on the process of shipping from UK to US

How Long Does Shipping from UK to US Take?

Actually, the majority of the time required for shipping from United Kingdom to US depends on the transportation medium. For instance, the time required for Express couriers and the time needed for Air Freight or Ocean Freight vary. Moreover, a wide range of factors also plays in between. 

So why don’t we take a look at the shipping mediums thoroughly?

Sea Freight:

Sea freight involves the maximum shipping from UK to US time. Why? It is because a lot of time taking processes are included in the sea freights. For instance, an assemblage of the shipments at the UK ports, assessment in US ports by customs agents, and transportation from Warehouses take much time. 

Therefore, the approx time that sea freight takes is 6-7 weeks for shipping from UK to US.

Air Freight:

The travel time, in this case, is approximately 6-7 days. Whereas the total time for UK shipments to reach US is nearly 1-2 weeks.  The shipments are loaded into cargo flights and fly from one Airport to Another across the two countries. It is the second-fastest method of shipping from UK to us. 

Express Couriers:

This is the speediest method of shipping from United Kingdom to US. UK express couriers offer the following delivery speeds while shipping something to the US: Next business day, 1-2 business days, 3-5 business days, and 7-14 business days. 

However, the express courier charges are also at the higher end. The faster delivery, the more you will pay. 

Here in this segment, I have shed light on how long does it take to ship something from UK to US. So, it can be inferred from the above discussion that the shortest route for shipping from UK to US, is an Express courier. Although you will enjoy overnight shipping, but the cost of express shipping is something that many people want to avoid. 

What is the Cost of shipping From UK To US?

Actually, the majority of the time required for shipping from United Kingdom to US depends on the transportation medium. For instance, the time required for Express couriers and the time needed for Air Freight or Ocean Freight vary.  Moreover, a wide range of factors also plays in between.

So why don’t we take a look at the shipping mediums thoroughly? Let’s go to “how long does it take to ship something from UK to US” without further ado:

Sea Freight:

Sea freight involves the maximum shipping from UK to US time. Why? It is because a number of time-consuming processes are included in the sea freights.

For instance, assemblage of the shipments at the UK ports, assessment in US ports by customs agents, and transportation from Warehouses take much time.

Therefore, the approximate time that sea freight takes is 6-7 weeks for shipping from UK to US.

Air Freight:

The travel time, in this case, is approximately 6-7 days. Whereas the total time for UK shipments to reach US is nearly 1-2 weeks. 

The shipments are loaded into cargo flights and fly from one Airport to Another across the two countries. It is the second fastest method of shipping from UK to us. 

Express Couriers:

This is the speediest method of shipping from the United Kingdom to the US. UK express couriers offer the following delivery speeds while shipping something to the US: Next business day, 1-2 business days, 3-5 business days, and 7-14 business days.

However, the express courier charges are also at the higher end. The faster delivery, the more you will pay. 

Parcelforce

Shipping from the UK to the US through Parcelforce typically takes between 3 to 7 working days. However, this can vary based on factors like the shipping option you choose.

For example, their express services can deliver packages in as little as 3 days, while standard options may take up to a week. It’s also important to consider customs clearance, which can add extra time.

To ensure a smooth delivery, be sure to properly label and declare your items. Overall, Parcelforce offers reliable shipping, making it a popular choice for sending parcels across the Atlantic.

Here in this segment, I have shed light on how long shipping from UK to US take. So, it can be inferred from the above discussion that the shortest route for shipping from UK to US, is an Express courier.

Although you will enjoy overnight shipping, but the cost of express shipping is something that many people want to avoid.

What is the Cost of shipping From The UK To US?

I hope you have got an idea from the above section about how long shipping from the UK to US takes.

Indeed, Express courier costs would be much higher than the rest. But, the overall cost of shipping from the United Kingdom to the US is much cheaper than the rest of the overseas shipping.

In the table below, we have drafted a rough estimate for the cost of shipping from UK to the US. Check that out for better clarification:

Express Couriers:

The most widely recommended express couriers for shipping from UK to US are:

• United States Postal Service
• TNT
• Royal Mail
• P2P
• DHL

Among these, the P2P’s rate is the cheapest one – £26.44. 

UPS charges slightly more expensive than this, but roughly, it’s a similar amount. Nonetheless, if you want to get rush delivery or overnight delivery, remember that you have to pay a considerable amount as an ‘Extra.’

Sea Freight: Less Than Container Load Shipping (LCL shipping)

The average LCL shipping charge at cities like Los Angeles or New York from Southampton is $705 or $739.

Sea Freight: Full Container Load Shipping (FCL shipping)

The median FCL shipping freight to any US city from Southampton is $2200 during peak season.

Air Freight: 

The cost for air freight shipment is $70 for each Kg. In addition, when it comes to >100 kg, the charge lowers down to $9 per kg. Similarly, if it’s more than 300 kg, the charge is $4-5 per kg.

What Factors Are Considered While Shipping From UK To US?

By now, you must have got “how long does it take to ship something from UK to US?” The costs for shipping from the UK to US also make sense now! But do you know what factors determine how long does shipping from UK to us take? Here are those:

• Tax and duties for both UK and United States
• Customs documents
• Special permission and taxes for prohibited or restricted items like animals, weapons, chemicals, drugs, etc 

Shipping from UK to US: Are There Any Restrictions?

So, you’re ready to ship your goods from the UK to the US. Before you pack your boxes, it’s important to be aware of the restrictions and regulations that might affect your shipment.

Here’s what you need to know:

Prohibited Items

There are certain items that are strictly prohibited from being shipped internationally, especially to the US. These include:

• Dangerous Goods: This category includes items like flammable liquids, explosives, and radioactive materials.
• Perishable Goods: Food items, especially those with short shelf lives, are generally not allowed.
• Illegal Substances: Obviously, any illegal drugs or narcotics are strictly forbidden.
• Certain Animal Products: Products derived from endangered species or those that require specific permits.

Restricted Items

While not entirely banned, some items require special licenses or permits. These often include:

• Alcohol: Depending on the quantity and type, you might need specific permits or licenses.
• Tobacco Products: Similar to alcohol, regulations vary, and you may need to comply with certain rules.
• Prescription Medications: These require specific documentation and often need to be shipped through specialized channels.
• Certain Plant Products: Seeds, plants, and plant products may require phytosanitary certificates.

Customs Regulations

Customs regulations can be complex and vary depending on the nature of your goods. Here are some key points to remember:

• Customs Declarations: You’ll need to accurately declare the contents and value of your shipment.
• Import Duties and Taxes: Be prepared to pay import duties and taxes on your goods.
• Product Labeling: Ensure that your products are labeled correctly and comply with US labeling regulations.

Product Safety Standards: Certain products, especially electronics, might need to meet specific safety standards.

Final Takeaway

Undoubtedly, shipping from UK to US is truly affordable. It is one of the reasons for cheaper product prices that US people enjoy while purchasing something from the UK. 

Now that you know how long it take to ship something from UK to US, I hope all of your queries have been resolved. Have you got a full estimate of shipping from UK to US time? Let us know positively if any query pops up in your mind; we would be more than happy to assist you. 

Wanna learn more about Freights in detail? Read our guide, Essential Advantages of Using Freight Brokers, to get more information.

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