Buying from US retailers offers UK consumers access to exclusive brands, better deals, and unique products.
With convenient international shipping services provided in the United States, you can send parcel to UK and have your purchases delivered in no time. However, not all stores provide delivery to the United Kingdom, and those that do might have quite different prices.
Let’s take a look at some of the best retailers, as well as features that you should pay attention to when shopping in the US.
Top US Retailers Offering UK Shipping
Let’s go straight to the point and explore some American stores that offer favorable prices and transportation conditions. As a result, it is more beneficial to buy products directly from their online stores and pay for delivery instead of buying those goods from UK retailers:
- Amazon US — it provides plenty of international shipping options with customs pre-payments for smoother transportation.
- Nordstrom & Macy’s — it is a perfect option for fashion and beauty shopping. This store offers direct UK shipping and transparent duty calculations.
- Best Buy & B&H Photo — it is the number-one choice for electronic goods purchases. This company provides reliable transportation and offers support for UK buyers.
- Nike & Adidas US — it offers exclusive US collections. So, if you search for them, it might be the easiest option to gain them. Especially given the customs-friendly checkout options.
Frankly, those are just a couple of options, but there are plenty of other retailers worth checking out. Your choice should be based on specific goods you need.
What to Pay Attention to When Choosing a US Retailer?
Given the variety of options, you might have a fair question: “How to pick the best retailer for myself?” Explore key features that should be taken into consideration below.
Comparing Shipping Costs & Delivery Times
First of all, decide how long you are ready to wait for your purchase, as this might also affect the choice of the shopping platform. Some stores offer only economical standard delivery, so your order might take up to several weeks to arrive in the UK.
Others have fast express options to deliver goods to customers within a week. Some stores can have both variants, especially if they cooperate with big international delivery companies like Meest-America.
If you plan to buy a couple of things from different stores, you might like to wait a little bit more but cut down on the shipping cost significantly. How? Simply by having all your purchases combined into one parcel.
One more quick strategy that can help you avoid additional expenses is to get familiar with VAT and duty charges. More expensive goods will have higher import taxes.
Paying Attention to Returns & Refunds
Whenever you decide to buy anything from a US retailer, explore their refund policies first. Some might not offer those things at all, so you will not be able to return your purchase in case of damage or wrong color or size.
Others might have international returns, but shipping costs may be non-refundable. It is not that good, given that transportation costs are expensive.
The most favorable option in this case would be to find a shopping venue that has local return centers. Those are UK-based hubs, so exchanges and refunds might be rather simple. Unfortunately, there are not so many US online stores that offer such a benefit.
Tips for Hassle-Free Shopping and Shipping
Once you have found a perfect retailer for yourself, you can also take into consideration the following tips. They would enhance your international shopping experience:
- Use trusted delivery companies. Ideally, a selected carrier should also have partnerships with different UK-based last-mile delivery companies to ensure seamless delivery when your order is already in the UK.
- Keep in mind duty-free thresholds, as parcels of £135 or below may qualify for lower import taxes.
- Be patient and consolidate your order to receive all of them in one parcel. If possible, you can plan your shopping in such a way as to buy all the necessary things within 1–2 days.
There are plenty of shopping opportunities for UK residents if they would like to buy goods from US retailers. Some of the most reliable and trustworthy platforms offer international shipment, so UK customers are not limited in their choice.
Still, it is advisable to consider the speed of delivery, the cost of the goods to avoid excessive taxes, and return policies to ensure a truly seamless online shopping experience.
Leave a Comment