Country guides for sending parcels overseas
A useful guide when sending to international destinations. This guide includes information on weights, dimensions and transit times*, as well as any country specific restrictions or prohibitions. For general information on what senditnow.com can carry please see our Prohibitions and Restrictions.
The delivery speeds shown are for non-dutiable parcels or documents; any added time for customs clearance overseas will vary on the country, type of goods, and whether the recipient has queries about the duties/taxes raised.
Top 10 Sending Destinations
USA
Max Weight:
30kg
Max Length:
1.5m
Max length + Girth:
2.74m
Transit time:
4 to 5 working days
Restrictions and Prohibitions
Textiles are very hard to import into the USA. Commercial invoices should clearly break each item down into component fabric parts (cotton, silk etc) and country of manufacture for each component. HS tariff codes should also be used in their most detailed form and certificates of origin should be considered. Restrictions also apply on some metal goods, antiques, china, paper products, tobacco, toys, tyres, tubes, wood products and works of art. Foodstuffs are also restricted, especially on dairy products, ice cream, fruit & vegetables, sugar & syrups, peanuts and confectionery containing alcohol. The US FDA also introduced the "prior notification" system in 2003 which applies to all businesses shipping to the USA. Specially worded invoice declarations may be needed to support the clearance of items through US Customs, especially for textiles. Exporters should get expert advice on the specifics. Anything has a connection with Afghanistan, Angola, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Vietnam and North Korea will probably not be cleared through US Customs
Australia
Max Weight:
30kg
Max Length:
1.5m
Max length + Girth:
3m
Transit time:
From 5 working days
Restrictions and Prohibitions
Parcels exceeding 1000 AUD require formal entry. This will trigger a Regulatory Processing Fee of 54.20 AUD
France
Max Weight:
30kg
Max Length:
1.5m
Max length + Girth:
3m
Transit time:
4 working days
Restrictions and Prohibitions
EU member - mainly unrestricted movement of goods
Republic of Ireland
Max Weight:
30kg
Max Length:
1.5m
Max length + Girth:
3m
Transit time:
3 working days
Restrictions and Prohibitions
EU member - mainly unrestricted movement of goods
Canada
Max Weight:
30kg
Max Length:
1.5m
Max length + Girth:
3m
Transit time:
From 4 working days
Restrictions and Prohibitions
Human remains; live plants and cut flowers; fish, seafood, meat and poultry, tobacco and alcohol are prohibited. Foodstuffs and pharmaceuticals are subject to special requirements on expiry dates and shelf life imposed by the Canadian Food & Drugs Act as well as other regulations. Brandy, rum and whisky require a Customs & Excise certificate of age. Minimum age is two years. UK goods are granted most-favoured nation status (not Commonwealth preference) and US Origin goods enter at reduced rates of duty
Spain
Max Weight:
30kg
Max Length:
1.5m
Max length + Girth:
3m
Transit time:
4 working days
Restrictions and Prohibitions
EU member - mainly unrestricted movement of goods
China
Max Weight:
30kg
Max Length:
1.05m
Max length + Girth:
2m
Transit time:
4 to 9 working days
Restrictions and Prohibitions
Funeral urns and ashes are prohibited. The country name "The Peoples Republic of China" should always be used in full. Trading with The Peoples Republic of China often requires a local agent within the country - regulations on imports change frequently. If trading with a state corporation, goods are often allowed into the country free of duty. Import licences are also often granted automatically. There are preferential trading agreements in place between China and the EU for goods including agricultural products, ceramics, clothing, cosmetics, footwear, glass leather goods, textiles, wines and spirits. Certain goods may require pre-shipment inspection by a qualified organisation in the UK under the China Compulsory Certification scheme (CCC)
New Zealand
Max Weight:
30kg
Max Length:
1.5m
Max length + Girth:
3m
Transit time:
6 to 7 working days
Restrictions and Prohibitions
Certificates of origin are required for motor vehicle parts and when claiming preferential trade rates. Some restrictions exist on military equipment. Import quotas are in place for textiles when the country of origin is outside the EU. In addition, some rules apply to the labelling of woollen goods. Hay, straw, chaff etc are prohibited as packaging materials and wooden crates or boxes should not be used. Whisky, brandy and rum must be accompanied by a Customs certificate of age. Minimum three years for whisky and brandy and two years for rum
Germany
Max Weight:
30kg
Max Length:
1.5m
Max length + Girth:
3m
Transit time:
3 working days
Restrictions and Prohibitions
EU member - mainly unrestricted movement of goods, although lithium batteries cannot be posted to this country in any capacity
Italy
Max Weight:
30kg
Max Length:
1.5m
Max length + Girth:
3m
Transit time:
4 to 6 working days
Restrictions and Prohibitions
EU member - mainly unrestricted movement of goods
To view details of all 220 countries please see our country guide document
*Items sent from KW15-17, ZE, HS, PA20-75 and PH33-50 will take one additional day to the quoted delivery speeds for all services