Sending Gadgets From the US to the UK: Your Personal Guide
Online sellers and tech-savvy expats are constantly looking for a way to transport gadgets across the border.
Online sellers and tech-savvy expats are constantly looking for a way to transport gadgets across the border. Thankfully, with services like Meest-America, you can send parcel from the USA to UK quickly and easily, even if there’s a laptop in the box.
If you are planning to ship a smartphone, tablet, or gaming console to the UK, you should follow a few rules to ensure a smooth delivery. Let’s find out what tech you can ship, how to pack it, and what to write in the customs form.
What Tech You Can Ship
Most electronics can be shipped from the US to the UK without any issues. Whether you are packing a smart home system or a laptop, they can cross the border as long as they are properly declared. However, there are a few exclusions. Any devices with lithium batteries have to adhere to certain safety regulations to be allowed through customs and via Meest-America:
- The battery has to be inside the device (not loose).
- All lithium batteries have to be clearly declared in the customs form.
- A maximum of two batteries contained within devices is allowed in one parcel.
As long as you follow these regulations, your gadgets should be able to pass customs smoothly. If not sure, you can reach out to Meest-America for guidance.
Choosing the Right Shipping Option
When shipping tech, air freight is usually chosen. This method is faster, your items are generally handled better, and there’s no risk of moisture. Yet, it costs more. Meest-America offers both air and sea freight. The latter takes more time but is cheaper. You can also opt for insurance and tracking your parcel during transit, which gives more confidence that your items are on the way to the recipient and intact.
Packaging Your Electronics
Electronics are usually very fragile and pretty expensive, so you shouldn’t hold back when packaging them. Choose a strong, padded box that can withstand long transit times and a lot of handling — your items will be transferred across several vehicles on the way to the UK. The device itself should be securely wrapped with soft, yet sturdy material. If it’s still in the original box, do not take it out.
The box should be closed and taped with packing tape so there are no gaps left. Put a “fragile” label on the box to let the courier know they are dealing with easily broken items. Do not put anything else in the box to avoid shifting and damage.
Fill Out the Customs Form
Next, you will have to fill out the customs declaration form. List every gadget accurately and state its value honestly. Avoid putting general descriptions on the form; even if the items are a gift, you still have to disclose what you are sending. If the gadgets are new, also write that down.
Sending costly gadgets from the US to the UK can attract import VAT: 20% of the value over £135. In addition to taxes, customs duties might be applied. With Meest-America, you can pay them in advance.
Keep Your Tech Safe With Meest-America
Gadgets can be a great gift, but shipping them internationally is a little worrisome, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. Working with a good courier service like Meest-America and following all import rules will make your gadget shipping process smooth.
