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Simple, Reliable Pallet Shipping from the USA to the UK
Whether you're based in the UK or the USA — a business importing goods or an individual relocating personal items — Pallet2Ship makes pallet delivery from the USA to the UK fast, simple, and cost-effective.
With over 15 years of freight expertise and partnerships with major international carriers like FedEx, DHL, UPS, and Maersk, we offer flexible, affordable solutions with real human support.
Choose the Service That Suits Your Needs
Most senders care about two things: cost and delivery speed. We give you both.
Fastest Option: Air Freight (Door-to-Door)
Need fast pallet delivery? Air freight is the go-to choice for urgent or high-value shipments, with transit times as quick as 2 working days.
- Door-to-door pickup from homes or businesses anywhere in the USA
- Instant quotes and live pricing 24/7
- Book in under a minute
- Cost-effective express service
- Full shipment tracking from start to finish
Most Economical Option: Sea Freight
For non-urgent deliveries, sea freight is the most affordable way to ship to the UK — perfect for bulk goods, multiple-pallet consignments, large and heavy machinery or personal relocation.
- Up to 80% cheaper than air freight
- Full-container (FCL) and less-than-container-load (LCL) options
- Over 37 major USA port connections, we cover all major US cities
- Shipment handled by top-tier ocean carriers
- Flexible service options - door-to-door, door-to-port, port-to-door, or port-to-port
- Instant online sea freight quotes and tracking are available
Sea freight also has a lower environmental impact, helping you reduce your carbon footprint while saving money. Transparent Pricing and Instant Quotes
We offer competitive rates without compromising service.
Use our website to instantly compare:
- Air freight: Express delivery in 2-3 working days
- Sea freight: Low-cost pallet shipping with flexible timing
Pricing is based on size, weight, and postcodes. No hidden fees. No surprise charges.
Customs and Documentation - Made Easy
We help streamline the process with our built-in invoice tool and expert guidance.
Depending on your shipment type, you'll need:
- Commercial Invoice (for business shipments)
- Proforma Invoice + Packing List (for personal items)
Every USA-to-UK shipment must pass customs twice — once before leaving the U.S., and once upon UK arrival. Duties and taxes are assessed based on value, item type, and declarations.
Real-Time Tracking & Delivery Confidence
Whether you choose air or sea, you'll receive tracking details as soon as your goods are collected.
Why Tracking Matters:
- Monitor progress in real time
- Resolve delays quickly
- Plan more efficiently (especially for business logistics)
Our goal is to give you complete visibility — and peace of mind — from pickup to delivery.
Start Shipping from the USA to the UK Today
Whether you're importing on behalf of a growing business or shipping personal goods across the ocean, Pallet2Ship is your trusted logistics partner.
We combine powerful technology, world-class carriers, and real customer support to deliver a service that works — with no contracts or minimum volume commitments.
Get an instant quote now and see why thousands trust us for USA to UK pallet delivery.
⚠️ Important: Many delays occur because requirements are missed. Please read the service information shown under the blue “i” button on each quote and check the service icons carefully. They provide essential details about what is and isn't included (e.g., tail-lift, Amazon access, restricted goods). Always review these before booking.
* Extra charges only apply if shipment details are inaccurate — e.g. incorrect documentation, failed collections/deliveries, or under-declared weight/dimensions.
How much does it cost to send a pallet to UK from the USA?
100Kg, LxWxH: 120 x 80 x 50 cm
Air Freight services
£272.00
100Kg, LxWxH: 120 x 80 x 50 cm
Sea Freight services
£379.00
Case study - TRANSEO MEDIA LIMITED
Quick Summary
When TRANSEO MEDIA LIMITED needed to ship two 600 kg pallets of printing materials from Minneapolis, USA, to Yorkshire, UK, Pallet2Ship arranged a tailored door-to-door sea freight service. Sea freight was chosen over air freight due to the high weight, saving significant cost. Pallet2Ship handled everything from local collection in Minnesota to UK customs clearance and final delivery, while the customer focused on their business with complete peace of mind.
When TRANSEO MEDIA LIMITED, based in West Yorkshire, needed to ship paper materials for printing from the USA to the UK, they turned to Pallet2Ship for a reliable and cost-effective solution.
In June 2025, Managing Director Neil found Pallet2Ship via Google and explored the instant quotes on our automated online platform. He saw that for shipments from the USA we provide instant pricing for door-to-door air freight, as well as sea freight options such as port-to-port and port-to-door. However, door-to-door sea freight was not available for instant quoting.
This is common across the industry, as sea freight involves more handovers than air freight. Costs such as local collection, waiting time, and delivery to port vary by supplier, making instant quoting impractical.
Neil was shipping two pallets, each 600 kg (127 x 112 x 80 cm). With a total weight of 1.2 tonnes, air freight would have been significantly more expensive. In general, sea freight only becomes cost-effective for consignments over 200 kg — below that, air freight is usually more competitive.
Recognising this, Neil contacted us directly by email to request a door-to-door sea freight service. Our quotation team arranged a tailored solution:
- Collection from Minneapolis, Minnesota.
- Delivery to New York port, where the goods were loaded for sea transport.
- Arrival at Newcastle upon Tyne port in the UK.
- Customs clearance and final delivery to Yorkshire.
Although Neil was not aware of all the technical details behind this process, he received a clear and competitive price, which he accepted. Pallet2Ship managed the full logistics chain, allowing him to focus on running his business without worrying about the shipment.
While transit time was longer than air freight, the sea freight option offered a substantial saving. For added peace of mind, the shipment was also insured.
What They Did Right - Online Booking Stage
- Provided accurate pallet weight and dimensions, avoiding discrepancy charges.
- Recognised when to request a custom quote for a door-to-door sea freight service.
- Entered all addresses and contact details completely, including full names, phone numbers with country codes, and valid email addresses.
- Gave a clear description of the goods and included detailed product-level information in the commercial invoice (paper materials for printing).
- Submitted the commercial invoice immediately after booking and uploaded clear photos of the goods, enabling quick processing and added protection in case of a claim.
- Responded promptly to carrier queries and ensured duties and taxes were paid immediately, avoiding delays and storage charges.
- Chose to insure the shipment, protecting against unforeseen risks.
What They Did Right - Physical Preparation Stage
- Used ISPM 15-certified, sturdy pallet bases capable of supporting the weight and dimensions of the goods.
- Packed and secured the items carefully with cardboard boxes, straps, and shrink-wrap.
- Had the goods fully ready on the collection day, with someone on-site during the full collection window (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and clear driver access.
- Printed and attached four copies of the commercial invoice and four copies of the airwaybill/barcode labels in clear plastic wallets securely affixed to the pallets.
- Used clear, legible labelling to ensure customs officers could identify shipment details without confusion.
- Followed up proactively with Pallet2Ship to confirm collection if the carrier did not make contact beforehand.
What to Do vs What Not to Do
Do This
- Use accurate pallet weight and dimensions during booking.
- Read all service information and booking instructions carefully.
- Provide full contact details, including phone numbers with country codes and valid email addresses.
- Submit documents and photos immediately after booking to avoid delays.
- Secure goods firmly to a pallet with straps and shrink-wrap, or place them inside a crate with foam and straps for extra protection.
- Print and attach four copies of the commercial invoice and four copies of the airwaybill/barcode labels in clear plastic wallets securely affixed to the pallets.
- Have the goods ready early in a suitable location — such as a loading bay or kerbside — and ensure someone is on-site during the full collection window.
- Liaise closely with overseas suppliers to ensure all official documents are completed promptly. Fast, clear communication between international shippers is paramount; it prevents delays in arranging collections, deliveries, and customs clearance.
Avoid This
- Guess pallet size or weight — this leads to extra charges and possible rejection.
- Skip reading service details — you may miss key rules on vehicle size, notice periods, or surcharges.
- Leave out essential contact details like phone numbers or valid emails.
- Delay paperwork submission — late invoices or missing photos create avoidable hold-ups.
- Allow goods to shift in transit — poorly packed or unsecured pallets risk damage.
- Print too few or unclear copies of invoices/labels — missing paperwork may cause delays.
- Leave pallets in hard-to-access areas — such as blocked driveways, inside buildings, on gravel, or on a slope — as restricted access often causes failed collections.
- Treat communication superficially — unclear or slow exchanges with suppliers or customs agents are one of the main causes of international shipping delays.
Conclusion
Thanks to TRANSEO MEDIA LIMITED's thorough preparation — combined with Pallet2Ship's complete handling of the international logistics chain — the shipment cleared customs smoothly and arrived without delays.
This case highlights how Pallet2Ship supports businesses with tailored international freight solutions, combining cost savings with reliability and freeing customers to concentrate on their core operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
about shipping services to and from
Quotes & Pricing
Air freight delivers in 3–4 working days, while sea freight takes 25–30 days. Air freight is ideal for urgent or high-value shipments with door-to-door service included. Sea freight is more economical for bulk goods, heavy machinery, or non-urgent deliveries. Transit times may vary depending on your pickup and delivery locations. Use our Instant Quote Tool to compare exact timings and costs.
Get instant quotes online 24/7 by entering your shipment details. Select USA as the collection country and UK as the delivery country, then enter pallet dimensions, weight, and postcodes. Our system provides real-time pricing from multiple carriers. If an automatic price is not available, complete our custom quote form and we’ll respond within a few hours. Get an instant quote here.
Sea freight is the most economical option, especially for shipments over 200kg. Sea freight handles standard and oversized pallets, from single pallets to full containers (FCL). While transit time is longer (25–30 days), the savings are substantial compared to air freight. For lighter shipments under 200kg, air freight may actually be more cost-effective when you factor in per-kg rates.
Instant online quotes with Pallet2Ship are very stable and rarely change during the year. Carriers usually review rates once annually, between January and March, and for the rest of the year, customers can rely on our prices staying the same. However, this stability applies only to online quotes; custom quotes or spot rates are time-sensitive and have limited validity.
Possible surcharges include undeclared non-stackable pallets, failed collections, incorrect weights or dimensions, or incomplete paperwork. Our online air freight quotes include collection, customs clearance, fuel surcharges, and delivery. Duties and taxes are separate.
Possible surcharges include incorrect weights/dimensions, failed collections, incomplete paperwork, or port handling fees.
Packing & Pallet Requirements
Yes, but they must be declared correctly when booking. Carriers calculate pricing based on the space your freight occupies. Always provide accurate dimensions and mark shipments as non-stackable if needed. Extra charges may apply for non-stackable items during sea freight consolidation.
Pallets must be securely packed using straps and shrink-wrap. Goods should fit within the pallet size, and overhanging items must be declared and professionally protected using heavy-duty cardboard, foam, or wood. Use ISPM-15 heat-treated pallets for international shipping. See our How to Prepare a Pallet guide.
Oversized pallets can be shipped but must be declared with full dimensions. Air freight has stricter size limits than sea freight. Contact us for specialist handling of oversized shipments.
Not always — most carriers provide tail-lift vehicles for pallets up to 750kg. If your pallet exceeds this weight or is oversized, a forklift will be required at both collection and delivery points.
No, we don’t provide pallets or packaging materials. We recommend sourcing ISPM-15 heat-treated pallets locally. See our How to Prepare a Pallet guide.
There is no minimum. Most carriers accept pallets up to 1,000kg by air and 1,200kg by sea.
Prohibited & Restricted Items
We handle a wide range of freight, including car parts, personal goods, tools, and ambient food items. Restrictions apply to hazardous goods, perishable foods, and undeclared lithium batteries. Always check our Prohibited & Restricted Items list before booking.
Yes, but they must be professionally cleaned, drained of all fluids, and secured. Collection must be from a commercial address.
Yes, personal effects can be shipped, but additional documentation and photos are required. Customs inspections and duties may apply.
No, we do not transport perishable goods. All shipments must be suitable for normal transit conditions without refrigeration.
Yes, but liquids require FDA approval and the correct documentation. Always check our Prohibited & Restricted Items list.
Yes, but ambient food items require FDA approval. Always confirm eligibility before booking.
Yes, but restrictions apply — especially for lithium batteries. Some carriers only accept them with the correct MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). For air freight, IATA DGR rules apply; for sea freight, IMDG Code applies. Check our Prohibited & Restricted Items list.
Yes, but only with approved carriers. ADR/DG paperwork is required.
No, we don’t provide refrigerated shipping. All goods must be non-perishable.
Documentation & Customs
A commercial invoice and packing list are required. The invoice must include HS codes, item descriptions, values, and shipper/consignee details. Additional certificates may be required. See our Export & Import guide.
A commercial invoice and packing list are mandatory. Our system provides built-in templates to help you complete these. See our Customs Requirements guide.
Duties and VAT apply based on HS code, declared value, and country of origin. The consignee typically pays these costs. See our Customs Requirements.
Yes, UK consignees must hold a valid GB EORI number. Apply via HMRC if you don’t already have one. See our EORI guide.
Customs may request certificates of origin, product licenses, or other paperwork. You must provide these promptly to avoid delays or storage fees.
The most common Incoterm is DAP (Delivered at Place), where the buyer pays duties and taxes at the destination. Always confirm Incoterms with your consignee before booking. See our Incoterms 2020 guide.
Insurance & Claims
Yes, comprehensive insurance up to £50,000 is available when booking. For higher values, contact us at office@pallet2ship.co.uk. See our Insurance Calculator.
Claims must be submitted online. Take photos of the goods and packaging, notify us immediately, and complete our online claims form.
Collections & Deliveries
Yes, you must provide a valid UK phone number for delivery coordination.
Yes, but declare any restricted access in advance. Tail-lift deliveries are available up to 800kg.
Failed collections or deliveries may incur redelivery or storage charges. Ensure someone is present and goods are ready.
Yes, we offer both. Air freight is faster, sea freight is cheaper. Use the Instant Quote Tool to compare.
Services & Tracking
Air freight delivers in 2–4 working days and includes customs clearance.
Yes, but only by arrangement. Contact our team to confirm drop-off options.
All services include online tracking. You’ll receive tracking details once booked.