Sending a parcel to United Kingdom
Prices, delivery times, customs rules and the best carriers for shipping a parcel to United Kingdom. Independent comparison updated 2026.
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Summary
At a glance
A parcel to United Kingdom arrives in 3–5 days (standard) or 1–2 days (express). Non-EU country — VAT from 0 €, customs duty from 150 €. Best carriers: dpd, dhl-express, parcel2go.
Quick facts
Sending a parcel to United Kingdom
schedule Updated
Summary
A parcel to United Kingdom arrives in 3–5 days (standard) or 1–2 days (express). Non-EU country — VAT from 0 €, customs duty from 150 €. Best carriers: dpd, dhl-express, parcel2go.
- Region
- europe non-eu
- EU
- No
- Currency
- GBP
- Standard delivery
- 3–5 days
- Express delivery
- 1–2 days
- Customs duty from
- 150 €
- VAT
- from 0 €
- CN23 required
- Yes
Carrier comparison
Carriers for United Kingdom
| Carrier | Business days from carrier pickup. Does not include weekends or public holidays. | Indicative price for a 10 kg parcel. Calculated from average market rates — varies by season, volume and fuel surcharges. | Key strengths | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 DPD CZ Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 1–2 days | 30 € | Global coverage via DPDgroup network · Strong B2B contracts and API integration | Detailsarrow_forward |
 DHL Express Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 1–2 days | 75 € | Fastest for non-EU destinations · Door-to-door in 72h worldwide | Detailsarrow_forward |
 Parcel2Go Broker (comparison) — ships via partner carriers. Does not physically deliver itself. | — | 30 € | Best-in-class for UK shipments · Integrates Royal Mail, DPD UK, DHL UK, Evri | Detailsarrow_forward |
 Česká pošta Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 3–5 days | 27 € | Pokrývá celý svět · Nejlevnější pro zásilky nad 2 kg mimo EU | Detailsarrow_forward |
 Eurosender Broker (comparison) — ships via partner carriers. Does not physically deliver itself. | 2–4 days | 33 € | Transparent prices upfront · Compares multiple carriers in one booking | Bookarrow_outward |
Shipping a pallet or parcel over 30 kg? Eurosender Freight →
Price by weight
Price by weight
Price curve for a parcel to United Kingdom
Values are averages of the cheapest standard and fastest express service. Actual price depends on the carrier.
Prices by weight
Indicative prices and delivery time
| Weight | Standard shipping — balanced choice. Parcel typically arrives in 2–5 business days. Includes tracking. | Express shipping — priority handling and delivery in 1–2 business days. Surcharge is typically 50–150 % over standard. |
|---|---|---|
| 2 kg | 14 € | 32 € |
| 5 kg | 20 € | 42 € |
| 10 kg | 30 € | 58 € |
| 20 kg | 48 € | 85 € |
Prices are indicative, the actual amount depends on the carrier, exchange rate and seasonal surcharges. See the carrier comparison table below for exact numbers.
Customs
Post-Brexit, the UK is outside the EU. Every shipment requires a customs declaration (CN22 up to 2 kg and €270, CN23 above that). UK VAT at 20% is charged from £0. Customs duty applies from €150 (135 GBP). The recipient typically pays fees to the carrier before delivery.
Required documents
- CN22 is a simplified customs declaration for parcels up to 2 kg and €270 in value. Completed at the post office or generated by the carrier. Without CN22, the parcel may be held at customs.
- CN23 is a full customs declaration for parcels over 2 kg or above €270. You must list each item's description, quantity, weight and customs value. Issued at the post office or generated by the carrier.
- Proforma invoice
- EORI number for recipient (if a company)
Prohibited items
These items cannot be shipped to United Kingdom.
- Weapons and ammunition
- Drugs
- Live animals
- Alcohol over 1 L
- Tobacco products (above personal limit)
- Animal-origin food products (meat, dairy)
- Prescription medicines (without valid UK prescription)
Free tool
How much will you pay when importing from United Kingdom?
Enter the goods value, select a category, and get an exact cost breakdown including customs duty and VAT.
Data accuracy
Indicative information — verify at source
Shipping prices, delivery times and customs limits change over time and may differ by carrier, volume and season. Values on this page are indicative — they help you decide which carrier to pick, not to calculate a binding price. Before shipping, always verify current rates and conditions with the chosen carrier and the customs authority of United Kingdom.
Last revised
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Official sources
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link Sources & methodologyShipping situation
How does parcel delivery work in United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom left the EU in January 2020 (Brexit) and since 1 January 2021, all EU shipments to the UK are treated as international — the same as shipping to any non-EU country. Every shipment requires a customs declaration without exception, including personal gifts. The UK uses its own customs system (HMRC) with thresholds that differ slightly from the EU: the customs duty threshold is 135 GBP (not €150), and UK VAT at 20% applies from the first penny.
The most common sender mistake: shipping without CN22/CN23 "as before Brexit", causing the parcel to be held by UK Border Force. HMRC will only release it once the recipient pays the VAT (20% of the declared value plus any applicable duty) — or it gets returned. Carriers like DHL Express or DPD automate the customs declaration process and are strongly recommended for shipments over €50.
The UK postal and courier infrastructure is excellent: Royal Mail operates over 11,500 branches with widespread B2C reach, and DPD UK provides a dense B2C network with precise SMS delivery notifications. For pick-up point delivery, Parcel2Go is a UK-focused aggregator available without a business contract.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a customs declaration for the UK?
Yes. Since Brexit, the UK is outside the EU and every shipment requires a customs declaration — including personal gifts. CN22 covers shipments up to 2 kg and €270; CN23 with a proforma invoice is required above that.
How much does the UK recipient pay in VAT and customs duty?
UK VAT (20%) applies from £0 — there is no minimum threshold. Customs duty applies above €150 (135 GBP) and depends on the goods category (typically 0–12%). The recipient usually pays these fees directly to the carrier before or at delivery.
How long does a parcel to the UK take?
Standard delivery takes 3–5 business days. DPD UK Express or DHL Express deliver in 1–2 days. Postal services can take 7–14 days but are significantly cheaper. Allow an extra 1–3 days if the parcel is held by UK customs for inspection.
Which carrier is best for shipments to the UK?
For value: postal services or Eurosender (carrier comparison). For speed and reliability: DHL Express or DPD (direct UK network). For pick-up point delivery: Parcel2Go or DPD Pickup. DHL Express is the most reliable for automated customs handling — recommended for shipments over €50.
What must a UK customs declaration contain?
CN22 (shipments up to €270 and 2 kg): contents description in English, quantity, value, category (gift / commercial / sample). CN23 (over €270 or over 2 kg): detailed description of each item, HS commodity code (6 digits), value in GBP or EUR, sender signature. Carriers like DHL or DPD generate these forms automatically at booking.
What cannot be sent to the UK after Brexit?
Strict prohibitions: animal-origin food (meat, dairy products), plants and soil, prescription medicines without a valid UK prescription, tobacco over personal limits. Alcohol over 1 litre is permitted but must be declared. Practically everything else is allowed with a correctly completed customs declaration.
No questions match your search.
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