Sending a parcel to United States
Prices, delivery times, customs rules and the best carriers for shipping a parcel to United States. Independent comparison updated 2026.
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Summary
At a glance
A parcel to United States arrives in 5–10 days (standard) or 3–5 days (express). Non-EU country — VAT from 0 €, customs duty from 800 €. Best carriers: shipito, planet-express, dhl-express.
Quick facts
Sending a parcel to United States
schedule Updated
Summary
A parcel to United States arrives in 5–10 days (standard) or 3–5 days (express). Non-EU country — VAT from 0 €, customs duty from 800 €. Best carriers: shipito, planet-express, dhl-express.
- Region
- north america
- EU
- No
- Currency
- USD
- Standard delivery
- 5–10 days
- Express delivery
- 3–5 days
- Customs duty from
- 800 €
- VAT
- from 0 €
- CN23 required
- Yes
Carrier comparison
Carriers for United States
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Shipito Forwarder — organises transport via third parties, mainly for international and bulk shipments. | 7–14 days | 135 € | Free US delivery address (Oregon — no sales tax) · Package consolidation from multiple stores | Bookarrow_outward |
 Planet Express Forwarder — organises transport via third parties, mainly for international and bulk shipments. | — | 75 € | Lower consolidation fees than Shipito · Address in Torrance, CA | Bookarrow_outward |
 DHL Express Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 1–2 days | 188 € | Fastest for non-EU destinations · Door-to-door in 72h worldwide | Detailsarrow_forward |
 Česká pošta Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 3–5 days | 68 € | Pokrývá celý svět · Nejlevnější pro zásilky nad 2 kg mimo EU | Detailsarrow_forward |
 FedEx Carrier — own fleet and branch network. Picks up and delivers directly. | 1–3 days | 173 € | Strong USA and Asia network · Fast intercontinental delivery (2–4 days) | Detailsarrow_forward |
Price by weight
Price by weight
Price curve for a parcel to United States
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 | 28 € | 65 € |
| 5 kg | 45 € | 95 € |
| 10 kg | 75 € | 145 € |
| 20 kg | 130 € | 240 € |
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
The USA is outside the EU. For shipments from Europe to the USA, the US de minimis rule (Section 321) applies: packages valued under USD 800 (~€750) clear customs with no duty and no federal tax. Above USD 800, the US recipient pays customs duty by product category. US states may additionally collect sales tax (0–10%). Reverse direction (imports from US to EU): EU rules apply — VAT from €0 and duty from €150. Shipito is ideal for consolidating purchases from US online shops.
Required documents
- 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
- EEI (Electronic Export Information) for shipments over USD 2,500
Prohibited items
These items cannot be shipped to United States.
- Weapons and ammunition
- Drugs and controlled substances
- Live animals
- Alcohol (without federal import licence)
- Animal-origin food (meat, poultry, eggs, dairy)
- Prescription medicines (without valid US prescription)
- E-cigarettes and vaping products
Free tool
How much will you pay when importing from United States?
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 States.
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Official sources
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How does parcel delivery work in United States?
The USA is a unique destination in both directions — Europe to USA and USA to Europe. For shipments from the EU to the USA, the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) de minimis threshold of USD 800 applies — one of the highest in the world. Shipments below this value clear customs duty-free, and federal sales tax does not apply. Individual states may collect state sales tax (0–10%) independently.
The more common use case is the reverse direction — buying from US online shops and importing to Europe. Direct shipping is expensive (5 kg from USA to EU costs €45–95) and many US stores do not ship internationally. The practical solution is reshipping services like Shipito or Planet Express: they provide a US postal address in a sales-tax-free state (Oregon or Delaware) where US shops deliver for free, then forward the consolidated package to your European address.
For direct shipments from the EU to the USA, the most reliable carriers are DHL Express (3–5 days) and FedEx International Priority. Both have automated CBP customs integration and handle documentation routinely. Postal services (EMS) deliver in 10–21 days at a fraction of the cost, but without a guaranteed delivery date.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I import a parcel from the USA cheaply?
The cheapest route is via Shipito — US online shops deliver free to a Shipito US address, Shipito consolidates multiple purchases into one package and ships it to your home address. You save 30–50% compared to direct import. Registration is free — you only pay for shipping and optional storage.
Do I pay customs duty on a parcel from the USA?
For imports from the USA into the EU: VAT applies from €0 (no minimum threshold since 2021). Customs duty applies from €150, rate depending on goods category (electronics 0–4%, clothing 12%). The same EU rules apply for shipments forwarded via Shipito.
How does the US Section 321 de minimis rule work?
The USA has one of the world's highest de minimis thresholds — USD 800 (~€750). A shipment from the EU to the USA valued under USD 800 clears customs with no duty and no federal tax (Section 321 informal entry). Above USD 800, US customs duty applies by product category. Individual US states may additionally collect sales tax (0–10%), independently of the federal threshold.
What is the fastest way to send a parcel to the USA?
DHL Express International Priority delivers from Europe to the USA in 3–5 business days. FedEx International Priority is similarly fast. Both carriers include full customs handling. Prices for a parcel up to 2 kg start from ~€55–75. Postal services deliver in 10–21 days for a fraction of the price but without a guaranteed delivery date.
How does Shipito work for buying from US shops?
Shipito gives you a US address (in Oregon or Delaware — both sales-tax-free states) where shops like Amazon, eBay, or Costco deliver for free. Shipito stores your packages and on request consolidates multiple purchases into one shipment to your home address. You save 30–50% on shipping versus direct import. Registration is free; you pay only for shipping and optional warehouse storage.
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