US Customs requires original signed documentation before goods can be shipped. Form 3299, Treasury Supplemental Declaration and Power of Attorney must all be signed originals — not photocopies. No food, no alcohol, no tobacco. ISF 10+2 Filing required for all sea freight.
✈ Air freight to USA: 5-9 working days, subject to space and flight availability with the carriers from UK door collection • ⚓ Sea freight: 4-8 weeks door-to-door (subject to your destination) • Price confirmed before we collect • Freephone 0800 096 38 39
These items are not automatically refused but face restrictions, duties, inspections or require specific documentation. Check before you pack.
Most food items, fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and dairy are restricted or prohibited by the USDA.
Importation of alcohol as personal effects is heavily regulated. Generally not accepted for personal effects shipments.
Subject to import restrictions and duties. Generally not accepted for standard personal effects.
Prescription drugs require documentation. Many UK medications are classified differently in the USA.
Require USDA APHIS permit. Seeds, soil, plant material without certification not permitted.
Require specific ATF import permits. Not accepted on personal effects services.
Over $10,000 USD must be declared. Undeclared currency is subject to seizure.
Any goods infringing US trademarks or copyrights will be seized and destroyed.
The following items are prohibited on all services — air freight, sea freight and door-to-door (subject to your destination). Do not pack them. Items found during inspection will be confiscated, and you may face penalties.
Customs clearance at destination is your responsibility as sender — who must also be the receiver for personal effects classification. Have these documents ready before we collect.
If customs or inspection issues arise at the destination — including holds, queries or inspections — you must respond promptly. Failure to respond, or submission of incorrect documentation, will result in storage charges accumulating at the destination warehouse at your cost.
You are liable for storage, inspection fees and any duties that arise where:
If you are unsure about any item, its declared value, or the documentation required for your destination — call us before you pack. We would rather spend ten minutes on the phone with you than have your shipment held at customs for two weeks while fees accumulate.
After more than two decades on this route, we know exactly what causes shipments to be held, delayed or refused at USA customs. These are the practical tips that make the difference.
Original documents means originals — photocopies are not accepted. Sign three separate documents before shipping.
The ISF 10+2 Filing must be submitted at least 24 hours before loading. We handle this for sea freight.
Declared values must be realistic. US Customs cross-checks and undervalued goods attract penalties.
If you have prescription medications in your shipment, include a copy of the prescription.
Power of Attorney allows our US agent to clear customs on your behalf if needed.
“We collect your luggage ourselves. We check it is properly packed, wrapped and secured before it leaves your door. After 28 years we know what arrives safely and what doesn’t. That happens before the bag is in the air — not after.”
Your UK shipping quote does not include the following destination charges. These are levied by governing bodies and government agencies at the arrival country and are payable by you directly at destination:
These charges are mandatory, set by the destination country’s governing bodies, and outside our control. We will advise you of known destination charges for your route at the time of booking so you can budget accordingly. If you have questions about what to expect at your destination, call us on 0800 096 38 39 before you book.