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Importing from USA to the UK

The United States is the United Kingdom's single largest trading partner, with bilateral trade in goods and services valued at over £290 billion in 2024. The USA is a critical source of high-value imports including machinery, pharmaceuticals, aircraft parts, medical equipment, and technology products.

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£290B+
Bilateral Trade (2024)
10–14 Days
Average Sea Transit
Machinery & Pharma
Top Import Categories
0–6.5%
Typical Duty Range

Why do UK businesses import from the USA?

The United States is the UK's largest single-country trading partner, with bilateral trade above £290 billion a year. Advanced machinery, pharmaceuticals, aerospace components and food products lead the flow. There is no comprehensive UK-US free trade agreement, so UK Global Tariff rates apply to almost every consignment.

The United States is the United Kingdom’s largest single-country trading partner, with bilateral trade exceeding £290 billion annually. The transatlantic trade corridor is one of the world’s busiest, carrying everything from advanced machinery and pharmaceuticals to aerospace components and food products. Despite the absence of a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement, UK–US trade remains robust and continues to grow across multiple sectors.

Gxpresss delivers expert customs clearance services for American imports, ensuring your goods clear UK customs efficiently under the UK Global Tariff regime. Our brokers provide accurate tariff classification, duty calculation, and full compliance with HMRC requirements. We also advise on US export control considerations and help you navigate the specific regulatory requirements for products such as pharmaceuticals, food, and technology goods.

Our transatlantic freight services offer flexibility and competitive pricing. Sea freight from East Coast ports reaches the UK in just 10–14 days, whilst air freight from major US airports provides next-day or two-day delivery for urgent shipments. With multiple weekly sailings and daily flight connections, we ensure your supply chain from the USA operates without interruption.

From initial freight booking through customs clearance to final delivery at your UK premises, Gxpresss provides a complete import service for American goods. We help you understand the full landed cost of your US imports, optimise your tariff classifications to minimise duty payments, and utilise our duty deferment facilities to improve your cash flow. Contact our team today to discuss your US import requirements.

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Tell us what you're moving on the USA–UK route. You get an itemised breakdown — freight, duty, VAT, clearance — not a callback asking for the same details again.

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US imports are classified and entered through UK customs brokerage in-house, with duty and VAT confirmed before the goods ship.

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What documents do you need to import from the USA to the UK?

Seven documents clear a US import into the UK: commercial invoice, bill of lading or air waybill, packing list, certificate of origin, FDA or USDA export certificates for food and medical goods, export control classification under EAR or ITAR where applicable, and a dangerous goods declaration.

Gxpresss prepares and checks each of these as part of its trade document preparation for shipments from the USA service, so the invoice, packing list and transport document agree before the consignment reaches customs.

Essential documents you will need when importing goods from USA into the United Kingdom.

Commercial Invoice

Issued by the US exporter with full details of the goods, including description, HS codes, quantities, unit values, total value in USD or GBP, and the applicable Incoterms.

Bill of Lading / Airway Bill

Transport document from the shipping line or airline confirming the shipment details, consignee, and routing from the US port or airport to the UK destination.

Packing List

Detailed breakdown of package contents, dimensions, weights, and shipping marks. Must correspond exactly with the commercial invoice and bill of lading.

Certificate of Origin

Document certifying the goods were manufactured or produced in the United States. May be issued by a US Chamber of Commerce or provided as a self-declaration by the exporter.

FDA / USDA Export Certificates

Required for food, beverages, pharmaceutical products, and agricultural goods exported from the USA. UK border authorities may request these for SPS verification.

Export Control Classification (EAR/ITAR)

Certain US-origin goods are subject to Export Administration Regulations (EAR) or International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Compliance documentation must accompany controlled items.

Dangerous Goods Declaration

Required for hazardous materials, chemicals, and lithium battery shipments. Must comply with IATA (air) or IMDG (sea) dangerous goods regulations.

How much duty and VAT do you pay importing from the USA?

Duty on US goods follows the UK Global Tariff, as no UK-US free trade agreement exists. Machinery runs 0-2.7%, aerospace parts 0-1.7%, technology and electronics 0-3.7%, and most pharmaceuticals and medical instruments 0%. Agricultural products face higher rates and tariff-rate quotas. Import VAT is 20%.

Customs duties on US imports to the UK are determined by the UK Global Tariff (UKGT), as there is currently no UK–US Free Trade Agreement. Duty rates are generally moderate for manufactured goods and technology products. Certain agricultural products face higher tariff barriers. The UK Government has applied tariff-rate quotas on some US agricultural products. Standard UK VAT at 20% applies to all imports, with reduced rates for specific product categories such as children’s car seats (5%) and certain food items (0%).

Gxpresss handles all duty calculations and HMRC submissions on your behalf, ensuring you pay the correct amount with no surprises.

Check My Duty Rate UK customs clearance cost guide →
Category Typical Duty Rate VAT
Machinery & Equipment 0–2.7% 20%
Pharmaceutical Products 0% 0% (most medicines)
Aircraft Parts & Aerospace 0–1.7% 20%
Medical Instruments 0% 0–20% (varies)
Technology & Electronics 0–3.7% 20%
Whiskey & Spirits 0% + excise duty 20%
Food & Agricultural Products 0–26% (TRQ applies) 0–20% (varies)
Vehicles & Auto Parts 2.5–6.5% 20%

Rates are indicative and may vary. Contact us for exact calculations.

How long does shipping from the USA to the UK take?

Sea freight from US East Coast ports to Felixstowe, Southampton or Liverpool takes 10-14 days, and West Coast shipments 20-25 days via the Panama Canal. Air freight arrives in 1-2 days with frequent direct services. Add three to five days for customs clearance and UK inland delivery.

Estimated shipping times depending on your chosen freight method.

10–14 days
Sea Freight (FCL/LCL)

Transatlantic sailings from East Coast ports (New York, Newark, Savannah, Charleston) to Felixstowe, Southampton, and Liverpool. West Coast shipments take 20–25 days via the Panama Canal.

1–2 days
Air Freight

Multiple daily direct flights from New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta to London Heathrow, Stansted, and East Midlands. Fastest option for urgent and high-value cargo.

5–7 days
Express Courier (Consolidated)

Consolidated express services for smaller shipments, parcels, and samples. Door-to-door with customs clearance included.

How do you import goods from the USA to the UK?

Importing from the USA takes six steps: agree Incoterms and confirm what the US supplier means by them, book sea or air freight, hold a GB EORI number, classify the goods, file the import declaration through CDS, then pay duty and 20% import VAT before taking delivery.

How Gxpresss manages your import from USA to the UK.

1

Supplier Agreement & Incoterms

Agree commercial terms with your US supplier, including Incoterms (commonly FCA, FOB, or CIF), currency, payment terms, and delivery schedule.

2

US Export Compliance

Ensure your goods are not subject to US export controls (EAR/ITAR) and that the supplier has obtained any necessary export licences from the US Department of Commerce or State Department.

3

EORI & UK Import Requirements

Verify your UK EORI number, check product compliance requirements (UKCA, food safety, pharmaceutical regulations), and confirm any applicable import licences.

4

Book Transatlantic Freight

Gxpresss arranges sea or air freight from all major US ports and airports, with competitive rates on the busy transatlantic trade lane.

5

Customs Declaration & Duty Payment

We submit the customs declaration via the Customs Declaration Service (CDS), calculate UKGT duties and VAT, and arrange payment or deferment through our duty deferment account.

6

UK Delivery

Cleared goods are delivered to your UK premises via our nationwide haulage and distribution network, with full tracking from port to door.

What does it cost to import from the USA to the UK?

Landed cost from the USA combines goods value, freight, duty, 20% import VAT and clearance. Sea freight from the East Coast averages £1,500-£3,000 per 20ft container and air freight £2.50-£5.00 per kg. Duty rates are moderate, so freight and VAT usually dominate the total.

Factors that affect the total cost of importing from USA to the UK.

Transatlantic Freight

Sea freight from the US East Coast averages £1,500–£3,000 per 20ft container. Air freight rates are typically £2.50–£5.00 per kg, with frequent direct services keeping rates competitive.

Customs Duties

Without a UK–US FTA, UKGT rates apply. Most manufactured goods attract modest duties of 0–6.5%. Agricultural products may face higher tariffs and tariff-rate quota restrictions.

VAT (20%)

Standard UK VAT of 20% is payable on total customs value. Many pharmaceutical and medical products qualify for 0% VAT. VAT-registered importers can reclaim import VAT.

Excise Duties

Alcoholic beverages (bourbon, wine) and tobacco products from the USA are subject to UK excise duty in addition to customs duty and VAT.

Customs Brokerage

Gxpresss clearance fees cover full declaration processing, tariff classification, duty and VAT calculation, and liaison with HMRC and Border Force.

Currency Exchange

US imports are typically invoiced in USD. Exchange rate fluctuations between GBP and USD can impact the customs value and your overall landed cost.

Which Incoterm should you use with US suppliers?

US suppliers say "FOB" to mean something entirely different from the Incoterms definition. That mismatch is the most expensive misunderstanding on this corridor.

"FOB Origin" — the US domestic meaning

Under the American Uniform Commercial Code, "FOB our plant" or "FOB Origin" means the goods are yours at the supplier's dock in Ohio or Texas — effectively EXW. It has nothing to do with a vessel. Accepting it without checking leaves you paying US inland haulage, the US export filing and the ocean freight you thought were included.

FCA (Free Carrier) — the term to use

FCA names an actual place and puts the US export clearance, including the Electronic Export Information filing where required, on the supplier before handover to your carrier. It works for both air and sea. If the supplier will not accept FCA, get the quote itemised so the inland leg and export filing are priced rather than assumed.

Always confirm in writing whether a US quote means Incoterms FOB port or UCC "FOB Origin". Gxpresss prices the full door-to-door route so nothing lands as a surprise on arrival.

Calculate Your USA–UK Landed Cost & VAT

Interactive customs duty, air freight & East/West Coast ocean shipping, and Postponed VAT Accounting estimator for US imports.

What is the total landed cost of a shipment from the USA?

On a £22,000 FOB New York consignment of industrial machinery shipped FCL to Felixstowe, the customs value reaches £24,288 after £2,200 freight and £88 insurance. Duty at 2.7% adds £655.78 and import VAT at 20% adds £4,988.76. Total landed cost lands near £30,000 including brokerage.

A real shipment structure — industrial machinery, FCL sea freight, US East Coast to Felixstowe.

Goods value (FOB New York)£22,000
Sea freight (20ft FCL, US East Coast–Felixstowe)£2,200
Insurance (0.4%)£88
Customs value (CIF)£24,288
Duty @ 2.7% (machinery, commodity code dependent)£655.78
Import VAT @ 20% on (CIF + duty)£4,988.76
Customs brokerage fee£65
Port handling / THC£180
Total landed cost£30,177.54

There is no comprehensive UK–US free trade agreement, so UK Global Tariff rates apply to most goods. Pharmaceutical and many medical products attract 0% duty and 0% VAT — the spread across categories on this route is unusually wide, so classification is worth getting right. VAT is reclaimable for VAT-registered UK businesses on their next return — duty is not. Figures are illustrative; exact duty depends on the correct 10-digit commodity code for your specific product. Ask us for a classification check before you ship.

What can't you import from the USA to the UK?

Six categories cause problems on US imports: food and agricultural products needing SPS certification, defence and dual-use goods under EAR or ITAR controls, firearms, ammunition and parts, alcohol and tobacco carrying UK excise duty, meat and dairy, and untreated wood packaging or pallets.

Check these before you place an order — clearance will stop, or goods will be seized, if they apply.

  • Food and agricultural products — need IPAFFS pre-notification, an export health certificate, and inspection at a Border Control Post. Tariff-rate quotas apply to some categories and duty jumps sharply above the quota.
  • Defence and dual-use goods — anything ITAR- or EAR-controlled needs a US export licence issued before the goods leave. Shipping first and applying later strands the cargo.
  • Firearms, ammunition and parts — require a UK import licence from the Home Office plus a matching US export authorisation.
  • Alcohol and tobacco — bourbon, wine and tobacco carry UK excise duty on top of customs duty and VAT, and must move into a licensed excise warehouse or be duty-paid at the border.
  • Meat and dairy — subject to sanitary and phytosanitary controls; many US products do not meet UK standards and cannot be imported at all.
  • Wood packaging and pallets — must be ISPM15 heat-treated and marked. Non-compliant pallets get the whole consignment refused, not just the packaging.

Unsure if your product falls into a restricted category? Get a free pre-shipment compliance check before you commit funds with your supplier.

HMRC-registered. Trade body accredited. Built for the USA shipments.

Every declaration is filed by an HMRC-registered customs broker and backed by BIFA and FIATA/IATA network membership — the accreditations UK freight forwarders are judged on.

AEO-authorised (HMRC) BIFA member FIATA / IATA network
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Importing from the USA — FAQ

Common questions about importing goods from USA to the UK.

As of 2025, there is no comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between the UK and the USA. UK imports from the US are subject to the UK Global Tariff (UKGT) rates. The UK Government has signed a limited Atlantic Declaration and trade dialogue, but a full FTA has not yet been concluded. Gxpresss monitors trade policy developments and advises clients on any changes affecting US imports.

Key imports include machinery and mechanical equipment, pharmaceutical products, aircraft and aerospace components, medical and scientific instruments, mineral fuels (particularly LNG), vehicles and automotive parts, technology products, and food and beverages (including bourbon whiskey and agricultural products).

Yes. Food and agricultural imports from the USA are subject to SPS controls at UK Border Control Posts. Products must meet UK Food Standards Agency requirements, which may differ from US FDA standards. Certain products such as chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef are prohibited from entering the UK market.

Sea freight from US East Coast ports (New York, Savannah) typically takes 10–14 days. West Coast shipments (Los Angeles, Long Beach) take 20–25 days. Air freight arrives in 1–2 days from all major US airports. Gxpresss provides detailed transit time estimates based on your specific origin and destination.

The US regulates the export of certain goods under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Items such as advanced technology, encryption products, defence articles, and dual-use goods may require a US export licence before they can be shipped to the UK. Gxpresss can advise on whether your goods are subject to US export controls.

Yes. A GB EORI number is mandatory for every commercial import into the United Kingdom, regardless of origin country or shipment value. Registration is free through HMRC and usually completes within a week. Without a valid EORI on the declaration your goods cannot be cleared and will accrue storage and demurrage charges at the port or airport while you apply. Gxpresss can check your EORI status before your first shipment leaves the USA.

Import VAT at 20% is reclaimable by VAT-registered UK businesses on their next VAT return, either against the C79 certificate HMRC issues or through postponed VAT accounting, which lets you account for the VAT on the return rather than paying it at the border and improves cash flow. Customs duty is never reclaimable — it is a real cost, which is why correct commodity code classification matters more than most importers expect.

An incorrect commodity code means you pay the wrong duty. If you underpay, HMRC can issue a retrospective demand covering up to three years plus interest and penalties. If you overpay, the money is recoverable but only if you spot it and file a claim. Incorrect codes also trigger inspections, which hold cargo at the border and generate storage charges. Gxpresss classifies goods before shipment so the code is settled before it becomes expensive.

There is no comprehensive UK-US free trade agreement, so most goods are charged at standard UK Global Tariff (most-favoured-nation) rates rather than a preferential rate. Sector-specific arrangements do exist and change periodically, so the reliable approach is to check the current rate against your exact 10-digit commodity code before costing a shipment. Gxpresss will confirm the live rate for your goods.

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Looking to sell into USA instead of importing from there? See our exporting to the USA guide →

Shipping personal luggage from the USA for university rather than commercial goods? See student shipping prices →


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