All US parcels may now face duties - DDP keeps your shipping smooth
How to Ship to the USA from the UK - US Customs, Duty and More
20 September 2025 | Editor's Pick | Most Popular | Packaging Guides | Parcel Deliveries | Tips and Guides
Author: Parcel2Go.com
When shipping to the USA, you need to include certain documents with your shipment so that your parcel makes its way through US Customs and Border Protection without any issues.
It can be hard to know what documents you need to include when shipping internationally, especially because you often need different documents for different items. If you’re a first time sender to the USA or you’re a business owner who’s unsure about clearing US customs, you’ve come to the right place.
Plus, recent changes to US shipping rules can leave many senders feeling confused or hesitant about shipping to the States - but we're here to help! Choosing Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) services can simplify the process, speed up clearance, and help your parcel arrive without delays.
Tax and Duty Fees When Shipping to the USA
You may need to pay additional duties or taxes on top of postage costs when shipping to the U.S., especially for regulated goods.
As of 29th August 2025, the United States has suspended the duty-free exemption for most low-value imports. This means that even small parcels may now be subject to duties, taxes, and full customs entry requirements.
This means that under the new regulations, most parcels will remain with U.S. Customs until all duties and taxes have been paid in full. To avoid delays, Parcel2Go recommends using a Delivered Duty Paid (DDP) service. With DDP, duties and taxes are settled upfront, ensuring a faster customs clearance process. We work with trusted couriers such as UPS, FedEx, and Evri to provide reliable DDP options - helping your parcels reach the U.S. quickly and without unnecessary hold-ups.
Certain products - such as tobacco, alcohol, goods covered by anti-dumping or countervailing duties, or items subject to quotas - continue to require special treatment and will not qualify for simplified clearance.
What documents do I need to ship to the USA?
You will always need to include a commercial invoice and an air waybill in your delivery to the USA, no matter what you’re sending.
Luckily, Parcel2Go will provide all the documentation you need to complete a commercial invoice at the end of the booking process.
Find the category of item that you’re sending below to see if you need to attach extra documentation.
What is Customs Clearance?
Customs clearance is the process by which your parcel passes through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). How long it takes depends on what you're sending, its declared value, and the applicable regulations.
Informal (Entry Type 11) Clearance
This applies to non-restricted goods valued at USD 2,500 or less.
For informal clearance, you typically only need:
Air waybill (or equivalent transport document)
Commercial invoice
Note: Some goods — even if under USD 2,500 — may still require formal entry if they are regulated, subject to quotas, or otherwise restricted.
Formal (Entry Type 01) Clearance
When your shipment comprises regulated goods or has a total value over USD 2,500, a formal entry is required.
To support a formal entry, you’ll generally need:
Air waybill (or equivalent)
Commercial invoice
Additional documentation such as: • Customs bond (see below) • CBP Form 5106 (Importer Identity / Create-Update) when applicable • Licences, permits or regulatory approvals (if required) • Proof of origin (if duty preference claims are made)
Customs Bond
A customs bond is a guarantee that duties, taxes, and other liabilities will be paid. For formal entries, CBP generally requires a bond to be attached before goods are released.
There is a continuous bond (valid for a year, covering multiple entries) or a single-transaction bond (valid for one shipment).
The bond must meet liability requirements set by CBP; in recent guidance, the minimum accepted bond amount is often USD 50,000 (or the appropriate liability level) for commercial importers.
CBP’s Bond Centralization Program handles bond processing at the national level.
What You Can’t Send to the USA
US Customs and Border Protection has restrictions and prohibited goods. Some surprising items include:
Craft wood items from China with logs, limbs, branches, or twigs >1cm in diameter
Hemp products containing THC
Kinder Surprise Eggs
Pipes related to drug use
Soil (unless a USDA import permit is included)
Switchblade knives
Note: Courier restrictions may vary. It's always best check with your carrier and our Prohibited Items for shipping to the USA before sending your parcel.
Key Documents & Requirements by Item Category
Category | Sender Documents | Receiver Documents | Notes / Special Requirements |
Alcohol | Commercial invoice, airway bill, FDA prior notice, TTB importer permit | Alcohol dealer registration, customs bond, power of attorney, Form 5106 if >$2,500 | Receiver must be 21+, check courier rules. Private gifts may not be accepted. |
Antiques & Artwork | Commercial invoice, airway bill | Antique Declaration | Avoids import duties if declaration is correct. Include manufacturing year/period, artist, title. |
Apparel & Textiles | Commercial invoice, airway bill | Form 5106 if >$2,500 | Check for exotic materials (CITES rules). Include fabric type, composition, and target user. |
Automotive Parts | Commercial invoice, airway bill, DOT HS-7 for safety parts | TSCA certification or letter of approval for oils/chemicals | Include part type, composition, and purpose. |
Bearings | Commercial invoice, airway bill | None | Include type, size, additional parts, manufacturer info. |
Biologics | Commercial invoice, airway bill, End Use Statement | Import permit if required (human/animal origin), TSCA certification if needed | Include origin, type, quantity, FDA product code if applicable. |
Chemicals | Commercial invoice, airway bill | TSCA certification or approval letter, EPA registration if needed | Include type, quantity, CAS number, purpose. |
Electronics | Commercial invoice, airway bill | None | Must comply with FCC and FTC requirements. Include type and usage. |
Eyewear | Commercial invoice, airway bill, Drop Ball Test certificate (if applicable) | None | Include type, FDA registration, intended use. |
Food (Human & Animal) | Commercial invoice, airway bill, FDA prior notice | None | Include type, consumption purpose, quantity, manufacturer/receiver FDA registration. |
Footwear | Commercial invoice, airway bill | None | Check for exotic materials (CITES). Include detailed description; textile manufacturers info if upper part is textile. |
Integrated Circuits | Commercial invoice, airway bill | None | Include type, DRAM info if applicable, reason for shipping. |
Jewellery | Commercial invoice, airway bill, export clarification for jade/rubies | None | Include type, metal, gemstones, weight, value. |
Laptops | Commercial invoice, airway bill, FDA 2877 (if disc drive) | None | Must meet FCC and FDA standards. Include model, purpose, disc drive info. |
Medical Devices | Commercial invoice, airway bill | None | Include FDA registration numbers, device code, intended use, manufacturer details. |
Printed Circuit Boards | Commercial invoice, airway bill | None | Include type (bare/populated), detailed description, DRAM info if applicable. |
Videos & Films | Commercial invoice, airway bill | None | Include format, duration, content description, signed compliance declaration. |
Watches & Clocks | Commercial invoice, airway bill | None | Include type, case composition, jewels, power source, strap material, country of origin, parts value breakdown. |
Preparing Your Shipping Paperwork
For the Sender:
Fill in paperwork digitally or on paper; keep copies.
Include a commercial invoice and air waybill with accurate goods descriptions, HS codes, country of origin, and receiver contact info.
For the Receiver:
May need authorisations or certificates depending on item type.
Could require a customs broker.
Check regulations before shipping to avoid delays.
Using DDP Services to Speed Delivery
Under new US regulations (as of 29th August 2025), most parcels will stay in customs until duties and taxes are paid in full. To avoid delays, use a DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) service!
Using a DDP service ensures all duties and taxes are paid before your parcel is shipped, so your recipient doesn’t have to worry about additional fees and receives their delivery faster!
How Parcel2Go Can Help
We provide all necessary documents when you book.
Our customer service team is available 24/7.
We guide first-time and business shippers through US customs smoothly.
On top of that, we have a range of top delivery services to the US so you'll never be short of options.
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