International Shipping for Valentines Day Gifts

01 February 2022 | Editor's Pick | Packaging Guides | Tips and Guides

Author: Parcel2Go.com

If you're in a long-distance relationship, you'll know the importance of making those little surprise parcels extra special. If you can't spend Valentine's Day with the person you love, having peace of mind that they'll receive their gift on time and undamaged really matters.

Whether you've collected up all their favourite things they can't get overseas (we're thinking Yorkshire tea bags) or you've bought them an experience they won't forget, you'll want their Valentine's Day gift to arrive on time - and without any unwelcome surprises at the door.

That's why choosing the right courier service matters, wherever in the world your special someone is.

Using a courier comparison website like ours means you can find the most affordable prices and quickest services all in one place. At Parcel2Go, we want you to feel confident that no matter which country you're sending a parcel to, it will arrive safely, on time, and with nothing extra for your loved one to pay.

The first step of sending your Valentine's Day gift overseas is choosing the best courier for your needs.

Which Courier Should I Use?

For your Valentine's Day gift to arrive just in time, we suggest one of the following:

Economy Delivery (3+ Day Delivery)

If you're looking for a cost-effective service without compromising on quality, economy delivery could be the best choice for you. All of our global shipping services include free tracking, so you can keep up to date with your gift's whereabouts at no extra cost.

You can also add £20 Buyer Protection to your economy delivery, giving you extra peace of mind without a big jump in price. A great choice for early planners.

Express Delivery (1-3 Day Delivery)

Imagine sending a Valentine's Day gift in the morning and it arriving thousands of miles away within a day or two. At Parcel2Go, we're experts in international delivery - so not only can we get your parcel there fast, we do it properly.

We ship internationally to over 200 destinations, with just a handful of countries we're unable to send to.

The Good News: Most Gifts Under €45 to the EU Are Tax-Free

If you're sending your Valentine's gift to someone in the EU, here's the headline you actually need to know: if your gift is worth €45 or under (around £38, including postage), it's exempt from EU VAT and the standard EU customs duty. Your partner won't be charged a thing to receive it.

This covers the vast majority of typical Valentine's gifts - chocolates, a card, a small bottle of perfume, jewellery, flowers, or a thoughtful trinket. As long as you:

• Are sending it as a genuine personal gift to a private individual (not a business)

• Select "Gift" as the reason for export when you book

• Keep the total value (items plus postage) at €45 or under

• Declare the contents and value honestly...your gift should sail through customs without your loved one paying a penny.

What if my gift is worth more than €45?

If you're pushing the boat out this year and your gift is valued above €45, standard VAT rates for the destination country will apply, along with a small flat customs duty that the EU introduced in 2026 for parcels under €150. Exactly how much this comes to depends on the country and the type of item, so it's worth checking the rate for where you're sending before you book.

The simplest way to make sure your partner doesn't get landed with a surprise bill on Valentine's Day is to choose a courier service that lets you pay these charges upfront - look out for this option when you book, so the price you pay at checkout is the only price either of you pays.

Find out more about sending gifts to the EU and EU customs charges.

Sending Outside the EU? Here's What to Know

Sending your Valentine's gift further afield - the US, Australia, Canada, or anywhere else outside the EU? The same general principles apply, even though the exact rules vary by country:

• Most countries have a low-value threshold

  below which gifts are exempt from import tax, similar to the EU's €45 rule - though the threshold and currency will differ depending on where you're sending.

• Above that threshold, import tax and duty will usually apply

  , calculated based on the destination country's own rates rather than a single EU-wide rule.

• Declare your gift honestly

  - the value and contents you state on your customs paperwork directly affects what your partner may be asked to pay, and inaccurate declarations can cause delays or even returned parcels.

• Choose a service that pays charges upfront where possible.

  Just as with EU shipments, look for couriers offering to collect duty and tax at checkout rather than leaving your partner to pay on delivery.

Because every country sets its own rules, it's always worth checking the specific requirements for your destination before you book. You can find country-specific information here.

Things to Keep in Mind When Shipping Internationally

Before you send your Valentine's Day gift, there are a few things worth doing:

Fill in Paperwork

When sending a parcel internationally, you'll often need additional paperwork to get through customs. When you ship with Parcel2Go, we'll send you the right documents so you don't have to track them down yourself.

Filling in this paperwork correctly and including it with your delivery really matters - inaccurate or incomplete information is one of the most common reasons a parcel gets delayed or sent back. If you're ever unsure, our 24-hour customer service team is happy to help, or you can find more detail on your destination country here.

Check and Pay Import Tax

As covered above, whether you need to pay import tax depends on where you're sending your parcel and its total value (including postage).

For EU destinations, remember the €45 gift exemption. For everywhere else, the rules and thresholds vary by country - so it's worth a quick check before you book, especially for higher-value gifts.

Know Service Deadlines

Different couriers have different last posting dates for Valentine's Day.

Nobody wants to wait anxiously for a parcel, and having it arrive on time shows your special someone you've gone the extra mile. Make sure you know the service deadline and whether your parcel needs dropping off or collecting.

Our postage times will be most accurate if you send your gift before the relevant cut-off.

Avoid Additional Shipping Charges

You could be charged extra if your parcel isn't packaged correctly. To save money and reduce the risk of delays, make sure your packaging is right - find out how to package an item correctly here.

And especially on Valentine's Day, you'll want to make sure your loved one isn't hit with a surprise charge when their gift arrives - that's not exactly romantic. Choosing a service that covers duties and tax upfront, where available, is the easiest way to guarantee a smooth, charge-free delivery on the other end.

Get Parcel Cover

Make sure you select Buyer Protection when you book your Valentine's Day delivery, so your gift has that extra layer of security. Depending on the service you choose, Parcel2Go cover can protect you for up to £10,000.

Valentine's Day Shipping With Parcel2Go

Sending internationally has never been easier than with Parcel2Go.

We know Valentine's Day matters enormously for couples who don't get to spend their everyday lives together - every gesture counts. Whether you're sending a gift to Paris, Madrid, New York, or anywhere else in the world, international shipping can be simple, affordable, and free of unwelcome surprises for the person receiving it.

As long as you check the customs rules for your destination, fill in any paperwork we provide, and choose a service that covers charges upfront where you can, we'll handle the rest.

Send further with Parcel2Go and see how much you could save today.