Send a Parcel from the UK Worldwide

Sending a parcel abroad from the United Kingdom is now faster, simpler, and more affordable than ever. Whether you're shipping personal items, gifts, documents, or products, Topparcel provides a seamless solution for international delivery – right from your doorstep. No post office queues, no confusing paperwork. Just book online, print your label, and let us handle the rest.

From sending a small package to Europe, to delivering large parcels to the USA, Australia, or anywhere worldwide – this guide explains everything you need to know: from packaging to customs, tracking, and saving on delivery costs.

How to Send a Parcel Step by Step

Sending a parcel internationally with Topparcel is designed to be as easy as possible – even if it’s your first time. You don’t need to visit a post office or fill out any forms by hand. Everything is done online, in just a few simple steps.

Step-by-step process:

• Register or log in to your Topparcel account. Create a free account at topparcel.com to manage your shipments, enter delivery information, and track your parcels.
• Enter the parcel details. Provide the destination address, parcel size, and weight. Our system will automatically calculate the best shipping options based on your input.
  
• Review the shipping options. Choose the delivery service that suits your needs – whether you want the fastest option or the most economical.
  
• Complete the parcel details. Fill in the sender and recipient details. Add a clear description of the contents, quantity, and value of each item. This step is required for all international shipments.
  
• Pay and download your shipping label. Once you complete your order, you'll receive a PDF shipping label by email and in your Topparcel account.
  
• Print and attach the label to your parcel. Make sure the label is securely attached and fully visible. Remove or cover any old barcodes if using a recycled box.
• Wait for collection or drop off your parcel. Depending on the courier, the parcel may be collected from your address or you may need to drop it off at a nearby location (we’ll let you know during the booking).

How to Pack Your Parcel Securely

Proper packaging is essential to ensure your parcel arrives safely at its destination. Whether you're sending gifts, personal items, or goods for sale, secure packaging protects your contents and avoids delays or damage during transit.
Why secure packaging matters:

• Prevents damage from shocks, pressure, and movement during shipping
• Ensures your shipping label remains readable and intact
• Can reduce shipping costs by minimising parcel size and weight

Best practices for international packaging:

• Use strong, rigid cardboard boxes. Choose high-quality boxes, preferably new. Avoid soft envelopes for fragile or valuable items.
• Remove any old shipping labels or barcodes. If reusing a box, completely cover or peel off previous labels to prevent confusion during scanning.
• Pack tightly – avoid empty space. Loose items inside the box can shift and break. Fill gaps with bubble wrap, crumpled paper, or fabric.
• Cut the box to size if necessary. Oversized boxes increase volumetric weight and cost more to ship. Trim the box to fit your items.
• Wrap fragile items individually. Use bubble wrap, foam, or protective sleeves for delicate items like glass, electronics, or bottles.
• Seal all edges with strong packing tape. Use wide, high-strength tape and apply it securely across all seams and corners of the box.

A securely packed parcel not only reduces the risk of issues during delivery but also ensures a smooth customs clearance process and a positive experience for the receiver.

What to Write on the Parcel

When shipping internationally from the UK, many people wonder whether they need to handwrite the recipient’s address on the parcel. With Topparcel, that’s not necessary – all the essential information is included automatically on your shipping label.
Here’s how it works:

• During the order process on Topparcel, you’ll provide all the required data:
• Sender’s full name and UK address
• Recipient’s full name and address abroad
• Contact phone numbers for both sender and recipient
• Parcel details and customs declaration
• Once your order is confirmed, you will receive a downloadable PDF with your shipping label.Simply print the label and stick it onto your parcel.

No handwriting required – everything is digitally generated and ready to go.

Why it’s important to use only the printed shipping label:

• Minimises delivery errors – the barcode contains all delivery data
• Reduces delays – printed labels are easy to scan and process
• Avoids confusion – handwritten addresses can be unclear or misread
• Simplifies customs clearance – all required data is already provided electronically

Important tip:
If you’re using a recycled box, be sure to remove or completely cover any old barcodes, courier stickers, or handwritten notes from previous shipments. Scanning incorrect codes can lead to major delays or delivery errors.

How to Fill Out the Customs Declaration

Every international shipment from the UK requires a customs declaration. This form provides details about the contents of your parcel and is essential for customs authorities in both the UK and the destination country. With Topparcel, the entire process is digital – you don’t need to print or attach extra documents. Everything is completed online during your order.

What information is required for customs declaration:

• Detailed description of each item. Don’t use vague terms like “clothes”. Be specific – e.g. “men’s cotton jumper”, “baby winter jacket”, or “wireless headphones”.
• Quantity of each item. Example: 2 x men’s jumpers, 1 x pair of trainers.
• Accurate value for each item. Use the actual price you paid, including VAT if applicable.
• Always write in English. English is the international language used by customs authorities worldwide.
• Avoid brand names. Write “women’s leather handbag” instead of “Michael Kors handbag” – famous brands may cause delays or extra scrutiny.
• Group similar items when appropriate. For example, “set of 3 cotton t-shirts” is better than listing each one individually.

Why the customs declaration matters:

• Ensures legal compliance when exporting from the UK
• Helps calculate any import duties and taxes in the destination country
• Speeds up customs clearance and avoids unnecessary inspections
• Protects you from fines or penalties due to incorrect or missing data

What Are Customs Duties and When Do They Apply

When you send a parcel from the UK to a country outside the United Kingdom, customs duties and taxes may apply at the destination. These are charges imposed by the receiving country’s customs authority and are usually based on the declared value and type of goods inside the parcel.

What are customs duties?

Customs duties (or import duties) are fees that the recipient may need to pay to release the parcel from customs. These charges vary depending on the country of destination and the contents of the parcel. In addition to duties, there may also be VAT, local taxes, or handling fees.

Who pays customs duties?

Usually, the recipient of the parcel is responsible for paying customs duties, not the sender. However, it’s important to inform the recipient about this possibility to avoid confusion or delays in delivery.

When are customs duties applied?

• If the parcel value exceeds the duty-free threshold in the destination country (e.g. many non-EU countries have low or zero thresholds for duty-free imports)
• If the contents fall into a category that is heavily regulated or taxed (e.g. electronics, alcohol, cosmetics)
• If customs determines that the items are for commercial use rather than personal use

Example scenarios:

• Sending a £25 personal gift to a friend in the USA: no duties usually apply.
• Sending £150 worth of clothing to Canada: likely subject to customs duties and VAT.

Important tips:

• Always declare the correct item value – customs may request proof (invoice or screenshot)
• Do not mark parcels as “gift” unless the contents are genuinely a personal gift
• Be transparent in your declaration – incorrect or misleading information can lead to fines, delays, or returned parcels

Customs duties are not charged by Topparcel

These are external charges applied by the customs authorities in the destination country. We have no control over them, but our support team can help you understand what to expect for specific countries. 

Understanding customs duties ensures that your parcel clears customs smoothly and avoids unpleasant surprises for your recipient. If you’re unsure about the rules for a particular country, we always recommend checking with that country’s customs website or contacting our support team.

What You Can and Cannot Ship Abroad

Each country has its own list of restricted and prohibited items. Before sending a parcel from the UK, it’s important to check whether the contents are allowed in the destination country. Shipping forbidden or restricted items can result in delays, fines, or even permanent confiscation of the parcel by customs.

Commonly prohibited items for international shipping:

• Firearms, replica weapons, and ammunition
• Explosives and fireworks
• Toxic, flammable, or infectious substances
• Items containing gas or petrol (including used lighters)
• Fire extinguishers
• Alcohol and tobacco
• Cash, cheques, bank cards, SIM cards
• Passports or other official identity documents
• Prescription drugs or certain over-the-counter medicines
• Liquids and perishable items (especially by air freight)
• Plants, soil, or seeds
• Knives, blades, or melee weapons (e.g. swords, daggers)
• Human remains or ashes

Tips to avoid issues:

• Don’t assume that an item allowed in the UK will be accepted abroad
• Always declare your items honestly and clearly in the customs declaration
• If an item is potentially restricted, add a note or documentation to help customs understand its purpose or safety

What happens if you send a prohibited item?

• Your parcel may be returned, delayed, or destroyed by customs
• You may incur additional costs or lose the value of the shipment

Being informed about shipping restrictions protects both your parcel and your recipient. If you’re in doubt, ask – better safe than sorry.

What Documents Are Required for International Shipping

Sending a parcel abroad from the UK might sound complicated, but with Topparcel the paperwork is minimal – and most of it is generated for you automatically. In the majority of cases, no additional printed documents are needed beyond the shipping label.

Essential details you must provide:

• Sender’s full details. Your name, UK address, and phone number
• Recipient’s full details. Name, full delivery address in the destination country, and phone number
• Customs declaration. A detailed description of each item in the parcel, quantity, and accurate value. Everything's filled online.
• Purpose of shipment. (e.g. gift, personal use, sale)

In rare cases, customs may request additional documents from the recipient:

• A purchase invoice or receipt showing the value of the items
• A statement confirming the contents and that they are for personal use (not for resale)

These situations are uncommon but may happen, especially for:

• High-value items
• Electronics
• Commercial goods
• Shipments to countries with stricter controls (e.g. Turkey, India, Brazil)

How to Track Your Parcel

Once your parcel has been dispatched, tracking becomes essential for peace of mind. With Topparcel, you receive a tracking number that allows you and your recipient to follow the shipment every step of the way – from the UK to its final destination.

Where to find your tracking number: after completing your order, your unique tracking number will be:

• Shown in your Topparcel account under “My Orders”
• Included in your shipping confirmation email
• Printed on your shipping label

How to use it:

• Track directly on Topparcel. Visit the Track Shipment section on our website and enter your number for real-time updates.
• Use international tracking websites. If you want more detail or a second source, services like 17track.net.
• Share it with the recipient. They can monitor the parcel too, which helps avoid missed deliveries or delays due to unavailable recipients.

Important things to know about parcel tracking:

• Some delays are normal. Parcels may pause at customs or logistics hubs for several days. This doesn’t mean the parcel is lost or stuck – tracking updates once it clears checkpoints.
• Status may temporarily freeze. If your tracking hasn’t updated for more than 5 working days, contact Topparcel customer support and we’ll investigate with the courier.

How to Save Money on International Shipping

International delivery from the UK doesn’t have to be expensive. With a few smart choices and a bit of planning, you can significantly reduce your shipping costs — whether you're sending personal items or running a small e-commerce business.

Here are our top strategies to help you cut costs on parcel delivery

1. Optimise Parcel Weight and Dimensions
Courier companies often use volumetric weight (also called dimensional weight) rather than actual weight to calculate shipping fees. This means a large but light parcel could cost more than a small, heavy one.

Volumetric weight formula:

Length × Width × Height (cm) ÷ 5000. This formula this may vary depending on the courier.

Example:
A box measuring 50 × 40 × 60 cm = 120,000 ÷ 5000 = 24 kg
Even if it weighs only 7 kg, you’ll be charged as if it weighs 24 kg.

How to reduce volumetric weight:

• Use compact packaging
• Remove unnecessary outer boxes or layers
• Trim down oversized boxes to better fit contents
• Fill empty space with lightweight material like paper or air pillows

2. Consolidate Multiple Items into One Shipment
It’s almost always more cost-effective to send one large parcel than multiple smaller ones.
If you’re sending to the same recipient (or shipping your own products abroad), combine everything into one well-packed box.

3. Avoid Overpacking and Redundant Materials
While secure packaging is important, overpacking increases both weight and size.

4. Use the Topparcel Shipping Calculator
Before placing your order, use our free online shipping calculator to simulate your costs.
You can adjust parcel size, destination, or weight in advance to find the most affordable solution.

Remember:

Smart shipping isn’t just about choosing the cheapest option – it’s about balancing cost, speed, and reliability. Topparcel helps you do that by offering flexible shipping choices, transparent pricing, and expert guidance every step of the way.