Why do you suppose shipping charges are so high, crossing the big pond? From what I've seen it's almost worth flying over and picking it up myself. The lightest charge I'm able to find between Stevenage and Louisville is $120 or so.

 

Do you also get hit with US Customs Inspection / Import Duties on items mailed from Europe to the US?

The last mail package I received from the US had a £36 ($55) UK Customs Inspection fee to pay on delivery.

Graham

 

I'm just looking for inexpensive, not necessarily quick shipping for a medium package, around 8lbs./4kg. I can ship from US to UK by US Postal Svc. (up to 20 lbs.) for $48USD but can't seem to find anything on the Royal Mail side that ships anything other than letters and small books. Makes me wonder how the USPS can deliver on the UK side? Websites (USPS, RM, UPS, etc.) have yet to mention any customs fees. One would hope as UPS Worldport is here in Louisville (20k emps., 400k pkgs/hr) we would receive some sort of 'hometown discount'. Well, it was my dream... ;-)

 

Royal Mail cover letters and small packages. For something larger/heavier then their freight company - Parcel Force - may be better:

Price finder | Parcelforce Worldwide

The lowest cost rates for UK to US I can find is FedEx World Economy service.

Graham

 

It is sometimes easier to ask the seller to do a lookup and quote the amount as they are most likely to be familiar with their national mail carrier system.

Shipping internationally from the UK is generally most economical via Royal Mail. Shipping internationally from the US is generally most economical via USPS. This is especially true when customs brokerage is factored in. The fees when delivered by mail are nominal as compared to delivery by a private carrier.

Private carriers such as UPS/DHL/Emery/Fedex/TNT levy huge "customs brokerage" fees when in fact they are submitting the waybills through a "Low Value Clearance" system run by the countries. Also watch out for double dipping where the customs brokerage fee is included in the terms of carriage on their site, but they charge it again at delivery. This has happened with both Fedex and UPS. Complain and the charge all of a sudden disappears. But, you have to do this before accepting delivery because he who has the money is king.

Finally, the parcel rates on postal sites are generally hard to find, especially if the postal authority is "partnered" with a private carrier.

However, under international treaty parcel mail is generally available up to 70 pounds and up to 200 inches total of HxWxD. They just make it very hard to find and attempt to steer you towards premium priced options.

 

I use Trans Global I also use a couple of other companies that go by sea, they are much cheaper but a much longer wait.

 

I have used these guys International Courier Services | Fast Lane International Couriers worth a try.

 

End of debate - always trust a Scotsman to find the best deal.

Graham

 

Thanks, Guys!