[PL] How do I send a parcel to the USA?

How do I send a parcel to the USA by courier?

Sending a parcel to the USA via courier is a relatively simple process. Each sender must remember to properly pack and secure the item being sent. It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with the top-down rules set by courier companies – including those relating to prohibited goods that must not be transported to the USA (and other countries). If you do not comply with this point of the regulations, you may be subject to a hefty financial penalty.

Any parcel to be transported to the USA via a carrier must be weighed and measured. Check the permitted dimensions, weight of the parcel on the website of the courier company of your choice.

Most carriers provide online forms into which certain technical parameters of the parcel, sender and recipient addresses must be entered. It is via the Internet that the sender creates and prints the shipping label (it must be on the parcel). The last step is to wait for the courier to pick up the parcel. Now all that remains is to wait.

How do I send a parcel to the USA by Poczta Polska?

Shipping to the USA with the Polish Post Office looks similar to that of private courier companies. As far as the permissible weight is concerned, a parcel to the USA should not exceed 20 kg (including the box). Further restrictions apply to the dimensions of the parcel – a maximum of 150 cm in length and 300 cm in circumference. If your package exceeds these values by as little as 2 mm (this is the permitted tolerance), it will not be accepted for shipment to the USA.

The last, classic step you need to take is to go to the nearest Polish Post office and post your parcel at the appropriate “window”.

How long does it take to deliver a parcel to the USA?

It takes a minimum of 3 days to send a parcel from Poland, but usually about a week. However, much depends on the carrier concerned. For example: shipping a parcel to the USA via Poland takes around 12-14 working days. One thing is certain, however, that it will take much longer than in the case of domestic or international shipments, but within Europe.

The time taken to deliver a parcel to the USA also depends on the postal codes of the recipient and the sender. The day on which the sender hands over the parcel to the courier is also important (if the shipment is sent before a weekend, there is a high probability that the parcel to the USA will not start its journey until Monday).

Remember that a shipment to the US travels not only over land, but over ocean, air space. It most often takes the form of what is known as an air shipment. If you want to find out more, read: air parcel – parcel rules and waiting times.

Can you send everything in a parcel to the USA?

Wondering what cannot be sent by courier? The list of prohibited goods is identical for domestic and international parcels. A parcel from Poland to the USA may not contain any top-down banned items. These include items such as cigarettes, alcohol, psychoactive substances, medicines, weapons, certain (e.g. liquid) foodstuffs, seeds and plants, animal skins. However, a lot depends on the rules and regulations of the respective courier company and the agreement it has with the specific online shop, mail order wholesaler.

Not everyone is aware that problems can even occur with most electronic equipment. Remember, however, that we are mainly talking about shipments from individuals. The situation is different for e-commerce companies.

How much exactly does it cost to send a parcel to the USA? What is the cheapest way to send a parcel to the USA?

Wondering how to send a parcel to the USA cheaply? Sending a parcel to the USA can be priced differently – much depends on the price list of the courier company, the geographical location of the destination (what region of the USA) and the dimensions of the parcel. Usually the cost of a parcel to the USA is within the range of several dozen or several hundred PLN. It is worth noting that the shipment to the USA is not the most expensive of all – much more expensive is the shipment of parcels from Poland to Australia and Oceania (here it may even reach a thousand PLN).

To find the cheapest carrier, it is worth analysing the options available on the market. Remember that priority parcel delivery to the USA is much more expensive than economy parcel delivery – because it arrives faster, something for something.

How do I pack a parcel to the USA without it getting damaged?

A parcel to the USA is extremely vulnerable to mechanical damage and moisture. Proper packing and protection of the contents is therefore even more important than in the case of land, domestic transport. It is worth finding out in advance how to send food by courier and how to send books to other countries (Read: Sending books abroad – principles of packaging). All of the above-mentioned constructional, equipment elements can be found without any problems in the RAJA online shop.

Solid cardboard box – the basis of construction

The most important element is a strong, sturdy cardboard box – preferably made of 3-layer, 5-layer or 7-layer cardboard (the more layers, the stronger and more stable the construction). High-quality cardboard is unquestionably resistant to mechanical damage, tearing, crushing and moisture.

If the contents of the package consist of many parts, the individual items should be stacked in layers (heavier at the bottom and lighter at the top). They must not protrude beyond the packaging. Remember to keep the parcel in a regular shape – if possible. Shipments to the USA with unusual shapes are usually already classified as non-standard shipments – more expensive, but better handled during transport. Check with the carrier of your choice whether it is possible to transport such a parcel to the USA (with some courier companies, for such long distances, it is only possible to transport a standard parcel).

Parcel fillers, warning labels and other extras

Don’t forget parcel fillers to fill the free space between the items being transported and the carton walls. The most popular of these are: skropak, flopak, SizzlePak, bubble wrap and air cushions. The above materials also provide excellent cushioning. They protect the contents of the parcel from shocks and even falls from heights. If you are sending fragile, delicate items that are prone to damage, wrap them additionally in bubble wrap.

The importance of adhesive tape and other accessories

The edges and all edges of the box need to be further reinforced with adhesive tape (e.g. packing tape). An important element that should be used when packing – especially parcels to the USA, international parcels – is stretch foil, which effectively protects a cardboard box and its contents from moisture (this is most important), dust and dirt. It is worth additionally marking the parcel – especially with delicate contents – with warning labels (e.g. “Caution, Glass!”, “Up/Down”, “Do not throw”, “Fragile”). They provide information to sorters and couriers that there are extremely sensitive items inside the parcel and that shipping should be carried out as carefully as possible. Interestingly, their message is a universal, international one – even foreign couriers will read it. As a precaution, you can use warning labels with English words or distinctive symbols.