How to Order from UK Brands in the US

In the last 20 years or so, the world has become a completely global marketplace. Thanks to the internet, we can now access products worldwide with just a few clicks. For many of us, it’s hard to imagine life before online shopping. 

But while the internet has changed how we shop and given us an incredible amount of choice, ordering from abroad can still be tricky.

If you’re one of the nearly 700,000 Brits living in the US or an American who enjoys UK products, you’ll know it can be a pain to order from the UK. Shipping fees, customs restrictions, and limited shipping options can make ordering from the UK a bit of a headache.

Luckily, we’re here to help. We’ve put together some of the quickest and easiest ways to get your hands on products from the UK. We’ve also included some of the best reasons to order from UK brands.

Let’s get stuck in. 

Method #1 — Order Directly from the Brand

No surprises here, but one of the easiest ways to order UK products in the US is to order directly from the brand. Many UK companies offer international shipping to various countries, and most offer US shipping. This means you can browse their website and place an order just as you would with a US brand. 

One of the biggest benefits of ordering directly is being certain that you’re receiving an authentic product. You’ll also be able to take advantage of any sales or special offers available. 

When ordering directly from a UK brand, it’s essential to check that they offer shipping to the US and how much it will cost. It’s also worth checking if any import fees or taxes will be added to your order. 

Top tip: Before ordering anything, do some research first, as the costs can quickly add up — especially for multiple orders. While some brands offer international shipping, you may be responsible for paying additional shipping fees.

Method #2 — Enlist the Help of UK Friends

If you’ve got friends or family in the UK, you might be able to get their help buying UK products. This is an excellent option if you’re looking for a specific product you can’t find online and want to avoid shipping fees from multiple companies. 

There are a few ways to do this. You can ask your friends and family to order the products you want and then send them to you, or you can ask if you can send them to their address. By ordering to a UK address, you can save on delivery costs as most companies offer free domestic delivery. 

While this is an excellent way to order from UK brands, be careful not to overdo it. While they’ll probably be more than happy to help out once or twice, it’s unlikely that they’ll want to be making regular trips to the post office and deal with sending parcels to the US. 

Top tip: If you’ve got friends or family coming to visit you soon, see if they’d be willing to bring some of your favorite products with them. Just be sure to check there are no restrictions on what you want them to bring — you don’t want them getting stopped at customs on your behalf. 

Method #3 — Use a UK Parcel Forwarding Service

Another great option for getting UK products in the US is to use a UK parcel forwarding service. This option is a bit of a mixture of ordering directly and asking your friends for help. It’s a great way to order from multiple brands and reduce shipping costs. (Plus, you won’t get on your friends and family’s nerves!)

A parcel forwarding service provides you with a UK address to use when ordering from UK brands. Once you’ve got your address, you can then use it to order from as many companies as you want. The forwarding service will receive your orders, put them together, and send them to your US address. 

Before you sign up for any forwarding service, it’s important to do some research and find the right one for you. One of the most important things to check is whether they offer parcel consolidation services. If you plan to order from multiple companies, ensure that the service you plan to use will consolidate your orders into one package and save on shipping costs.

Top tip: Check if the forwarding service has any shipping restrictions. Good services will clearly outline what you can and cannot use their service for. This often includes certain electrical goods, explosive substances, and medicines. 

Reasons to Order from UK Brands

So there you have it, three ways to get your hands on UK products in the US. Now you might be wondering if, with all the extra effort required to order from the UK, it’s worth it. Maybe it’s worth just sticking to US brands. 

But there are plenty of great reasons to order from UK brands in the US. Here are just a few of them: 

• Unique products — UK brands often offer unique products unavailable in the USA. This can include clothing, beauty products, and food items not widely available in the US.
  
• Early releases — Some products are released much earlier in the UK than in the US. For example, if you’re desperate for the latest book from your favorite author, you might be able to get it earlier from a UK store.
  
• Price — Depending on the exchange rate at the time, you might be able to save money by buying products in the UK instead of the US. 

Ordering from UK brands in the US can be a great way to access high-quality products and support UK businesses. Whether you order directly, get your friends to help, or use a parcel forwarding service, with some research and planning, you can easily enjoy your favorite products from across the pond.