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Pallet Delivery to North America
Pallet2Ship arranges pallet delivery to and from the USA and Canada by air and sea freight. Whether you are exporting goods from the UK to North America, importing into the UK from American or Canadian suppliers, or shipping machinery, automotive parts, or commercial goods across the Atlantic, our platform lets you compare services, see prices instantly, and book in minutes. Get started at pallet2ship.co.uk.
We work with DHL, FedEx, and UPS for air freight, and established ocean carriers for sea freight via LCL (shared container) and FCL (full container) services. Air freight to North America typically takes 3–7 working days. Sea freight typically takes 3–5 weeks depending on the port pair and routing.
Air Freight to North America
Air freight is the most common transport mode for pallet delivery between the UK and North America. It offers faster transit times and is suitable for standard pallets, urgent shipments, and high-value goods.
Standard air freight through DHL handles pallets up to 160 cm in height. FedEx accepts pallets up to 178 cm on routes to the USA — enter your exact dimensions in the quote tool and the system will show which carriers and services are available.
Air freight services include express air freight for the fastest transit and economy air freight for cost-sensitive shipments. See our Air Freight page for details.
Sea Freight to North America
Sea freight is the most cost-effective option for heavy, bulky, or non-urgent shipments to and from North America.
LCL (Less than Container Load) lets you share container space and pay only for the volume you use. FCL (Full Container Load) gives you a dedicated 20ft, 40ft, or 40ft high cube container. FCL typically becomes more economical when your shipment exceeds approximately 13–15 CBM.
Delivery options include door-to-door, door-to-port, port-to-door, and port-to-port. Transit times and routing vary depending on port schedules and shipping lines. See our Sea Freight page and FCL & LCL page for details.
Final Delivery in North America
Once freight arrives in the USA or Canada, final delivery to the consignee’s address is handled through local carrier networks or dedicated transport depending on shipment size and destination. Deliveries can be to business or residential addresses. Business deliveries are typically kerbside or loading bay. Residential deliveries are available but may have different access requirements depending on the carrier, location, and pallet size.
ISPM-15 — Strictly Enforced in North America
Both the USA and Canada strictly enforce ISPM-15 regulations for wood packaging. All wooden pallets, crates, and dunnage must be heat-treated and carry the ISPM-15 stamp.
Non-compliant wood packaging will be rejected at the border, causing delays, additional costs, and potential destruction of the packaging at the shipper’s expense.
This is not optional for North American shipments — it is a legal requirement enforced by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
Plastic pallets do not require ISPM-15 treatment. See our ISPM-15 guide.
Customs & Documentation
All shipments between the UK and North America require customs documentation. When you book through Pallet2Ship, our system generates the Commercial Invoice during the booking process. You will need commodity codes (HS codes) for each product, EORI numbers, the relevant Incoterms, and Importer of Record details for the destination country.
Most Pallet2Ship exports to North America operate under DAP (Delivered at Place) — the seller arranges delivery, and the receiver handles import customs clearance, duties, and taxes in the USA or Canada. US import duties are determined by the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) administered by US Customs and Border Protection. For Canada, import procedures depend on the product category and consignee status, administered by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
For guidance on customs requirements, see our Export & Import guide, Commodity Codes guide, EORI guide, and Incoterms guide.
Who Ships to North America?
Manufacturers exporting industrial components and machinery, automotive suppliers shipping parts and accessories, e-commerce businesses expanding into the US and Canadian markets, engineering firms sending equipment for installation or exhibition, food producers exporting ambient goods (subject to FDA and CFIA regulations), and businesses of all sizes importing goods from American and Canadian suppliers into the UK.
Frequently Asked Questions
about our North American shipping services
Quotes & Pricing
Transit Times & Freight Services
Customs & Documentation
ISPM-15 & Packing
Prohibited & Restricted Items
Insurance & Protection
Collection & Delivery
Booking & Practical Considerations
Why Businesses Use Pallet2Ship for North American Freight
- Instant online quotes — compare air and sea freight options and book in minutes
- Competitive rates to and from the USA and Canada — no account or contract required
- DHL, FedEx, and UPS for air freight — established ocean carriers for sea freight
- Door-to-door delivery as standard
- Customs documentation generated automatically during booking
- Insurance available for goods valued between £100 and £50,000
- Real-time tracking on most services
- UK-based operations team available Monday–Friday, 09:00–17:30
Canada
USA