Shipping From the US to Europe: A Beginner’s Guide

Shipping to Europe from the USA is a crucial procedure that you indulge in at least once in your life. Whether you are selling clothes online, want to send a gift to your family abroad, or need to move with convenience, understanding the whole shipping process is essential to save time and money.

In this guide, we will explore how to avoid pointless headaches while understanding terminology, calculating prices, preparing the package, and so much more.

Understanding International Shipping Basics

Before you start packaging items you need to ship to Europe from the US, familiarize yourself with the basic terms you will come across. During the first step, you will surely have to work with customs. This establishment regulates all shipments – imports and exports – according to national laws. Then, you will have to pay duties and taxes – certain fees on imports that vary based on the product, country of origin, and so on.

Shipping from the US often includes freight forwarders – businesses that work with international shipments. When sending a package, you can choose either to pay all duties and taxes (Delivered Duty Paid, or DDP), or have the recipient do that (Delivered Duty Unpaid, or DDU). You also can choose how to ship your package, including:

air freight;
sea freight;
courier services.

Postage by air is the fastest and most reliable, while sea delivery is best for bulk shipments. Companies like Meest, however, propose multiple courier services with express shipping and tracking.

Preparing Your Package for Shipment

It’s time to prepare your goods for shipment. The rule of thumb is to package everything like you’d want to receive it because all your items should arrive safely at the destination. When shipping from the US to Europe, make sure to use high-quality, durable boxes or padded envelopes that haven’t been used before.

If working with fragile items like glass or ceramics, secure them with bubble wrap or eco-friendly padding material. Once the box is closed, wrap it with strong packing tape.

On top, there should be a clear label – this is key to successful delivery. Write down the recipient’s full name, complete address, contact phone number, and return address. The latter will be used in case the packaging is not deliverable.

In addition, you should prepare customs documentation – electronic customs declaration forms with the items’ descriptions, value, and purpose. Business shipments require a commercial invoice with the value of the goods.

Understanding Customs and Duties

When you search “how much does it cost to ship to Europe” online, you will see that it highly depends on your content, customs, and duties that you pay for international delivery. Preparing the necessary documentation, however, will help you save time and money on delivery from point A to point B. The papers you collect should accurately reflect your package and include commercial invoices, contracts, transportation documents, certificates of origin, etc.

No need to go to the post office – you can fill out the customs declaration form online. Include the item:

description;
quantity;
value;
country of origin.

All the information in the form and the documentation should be accurate, otherwise, it will trigger delays and fines. That encompasses the description of the goods, their quantity, value, and Harmonized System (HS) Codescode. If the customs representatives notice any errors, the declarant might be given time to fix them. Once everything is verified, the declarant can pay for the shipment with the DDP option, which is available for all EU countries except Poland.

The declarant can also leave the payments to the recipient through the DDU option. Then, the latter pays all duties and taxes upon the packaging's arrival. The standard rate is 32.5% of the item’s value. For Polish residents, no duties apply to shipments under 45 EUR. Be careful not to send restricted goods:

alcohol and tobacco;
explosives, flammables, and other hazards;
prescription medication;
perishable goods.

When shipping from the USA to Europe, always check the accurate prohibited goods for each destination, as the list can vary.

Cost-Saving Strategies

Sending items internationally is not cheap, and costs can add up quickly when you are paying for customs and duties. Thankfully, there are ways to save some money on shipping. First of all, you should compare carriers for each destination, calculate the shipping costs, and pick the rate that is most comfortable for you. In case you are not in a rush, pick the cheapest shipping option. Shipping to the EU by sea is not fast, but it costs a lot less.

Bulk parcels are also a great saving option. Thus, send several items at once to minimize the per-item cost. Moreover, look for shipping discounts and promotions online – some companies offer bulk shipping sales.

Why Choose Meest for Shipping to Europe?

Meest is a trusted international shipping provider that will assist you when you send a parcel to Europe from the US. It has several benefits, such as:

reliable delivery across all European countries;
processing parcels through the online portal;
both air and sea shipping options based on the customer’s preferences;
partnerships with European couriers for fast last-mile delivery;
real-time tracking through the online portal;
dependable customer service to answer any questions.

Meest has already delivered thousands of parcels from the US overseas, so check out Meest’s shipping services for the best rates and delivery times. You can also compare prices by inputting all your parcel information into the company’s online form. This will allow you to calculate your delivery accurately and understand how efficient the Meest pricing is.

Tracking and Insurance

With today’s shipping options, you no longer have to wonder where your parcel is. You can track your shipment and get an estimated delivery time right after you send the package. Major courier companies like Meest have online tracking tools, where you can check your mail in real-time, making shipping to the EU even more convenient.

It is also possible to insure your shipment, which is especially helpful with fragile items and priority mail. Insurance protects your cargo from loss, damage, and theft during transit. Insurance is included for packages up to $60, and additional insurance will cost you +5%.

Handling Returns and Customer Service

Not all parcels reach their destination. Sometimes, when you ship from the USA to Europe, your package or cargo gets lost or has insufficient information about the recipient.

Meest offers reliable customer support available for inquiries or concerns from Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Saturday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. You can reach the representatives by phone at +1 862-682-4224, by sending a form on the website, or by email at [email protected].

Conclusion

When you send a package to Europe from the US, you have to know a lot of intricate details, such as logistics and customs regulations, to have it delivered successfully. This guide aimed at explaining every part of parcel preparations, shipping methods, costs, and more for a smooth delivery. By choosing a reliable provider like Meest, you will have peace of mind when shipping to the EU.