The ultimate guide to cheap international shipping from the UK – how to get the best rates for shipping anything overseas from the UK, including parcels, packages, large boxes, furniture, and more.

If you’re planning to move overseas, or need to send your personal effects to another country, finding a cheap shipping method is crucial. This guide is designed to assist you in cutting down the costs associated with shipping internationally by providing tips and advice for your parcels, packages, large boxes, and furniture.

We’ll explore the cheapest way to ship your belongings overseas, providing you with expert tips on how to save money and avoid common mistakes during shipping. Our objectives is to equip you with the essential knowledge to navigate the complexity of international shipping without breaking the bank.

So, sit back, relax, and let us guide you through the exciting world of cost-effective international shipping from the UK, making your overseas move or delivery of personal belongings as seamless and stress-free as possible in 2024!

Here we’ll look at how to get the best value on your shipping rather than simply the cheapest. We’ll also show you how to check your quote to see what is and is not included and warn you about false economies that won’t save you money in the long run. After all, you want cheap but not too cheap!

Better still, use one of our new international shipping calculators to get a personal quote for your shipping.

Free Online International Shipping Cost Calculator

Is It Expensive to Ship internationally from the UK?

Posting or sending smaller personal goods overseas can be expensive. For example, airline excess baggage fees can be very expensive, and you are still limited in how much you can send. Also, air courier charges for sending boxes of belongings from the UK may not be economical for large quantities.

However, shipping by sea could be much cheaper than you think if you use an international removal service or specialised personal shipping service. Unlike excess baggage fees, the more boxes you send, the more economical it becomes.

Low-cost shipping methods to overseas destinations

Below we will look at all the low-cost ways to ship your personal effects when moving overseas. The most convenient service will largely depend on how much you send and how quickly you need your belongings to arrive. The fastest method is air shipping, but also the most expensive. Sea freight shipping services are the cheapest, but they do take longer.

Once you have chosen the most appropriate service, there are several ways you can further reduce the cost of your shipping, so make sure you check out our cheap shipping tips below.

Cheap Parcel and Package Shipping Overseas

If you want to send a small package or parcel, using Royal Mail is probably best. There are also international parcel services online, like Parcel Monkey, that you can use to find the cheapest quote for sending a parcel.

However, the cost per kilo is quite expensive, so if you need to send larger quantities, it’s best to look at other options, such as Personal Shipping Services for shipping large boxes and luggage as PSS International offers.

The cheapest way to ship large boxes and oversize packages abroad

If you have a large box to send or even a few boxes if you are moving abroad, postal services are not an option and international courier services can be prohibitively expensive.

In this situation, the cheapest option is to send your belongings from the UK to an overseas destination using a specialist box shipping service.

These can be sent by air or sea freight. Shipping by sea is the cheapest option. The company will collect them with other customers from the same country and send them in the same shipping container. This is known as groupage.

The shipping company will often supply export-quality boxes, but if you use your own, you must ensure they are suitable for the rigours of international shipping.

This method is unsuitable for sending large items like furniture needing an international removals service.

Cheap Excess Baggage / Luggage Shipping Internationally

You should look at more affordable shipping options if you have more bags than your airline luggage allowance. Airline excess baggage fees can be costly, and you are still limited in how much you can send.

But fortunately, there are specialist excess baggage services and cheap luggage shipping services that can save you a lot of money.

• Airline excess baggage fees – Expensive, but you can save if you book in advance.
• Excess baggage service by air – These air courier services offered by companies such as PSS are ideal if you want to save money, but time is essential.
• Send by sea freight – This is the cheapest option, and personal shipping services such as those offered by PSS provide a door-to-door international shipping service.

So for cheap luggage shipping, plan ahead and ship by sea; it may take much longer, but you can save money.

Cheap way to ship Furniture overseas

That brings us nicely to the cheapest ways to ship furniture internationally. The exciting thing is, considering the distances involved, moving furniture and other items overseas with removal companies is relatively low cost when considering the volume being shipped.

They do, however, require an international furniture removals service with specialist packing and handling. If you are moving your home’s entire contents, you can book a whole 20-foot or 40-foot container. If you are shipping a smaller load, the shipping company can group your belongings to share with others moving to the same city or country and split the shipping container price.

Cheap Car and Vehicle Shipping Overseas

When you move overseas, you will likely want to ship your car along with everything else, as many vehicles are more expensive down under. Several options are available for doing this, which could save you money. The most popular methods of shipping cars out are:

• Roll On Roll Off (RORO) – This can look like the cheapest way to do it, but you need to factor in the time and cost of delivering your vehicle to the port and picking it up at the port. RORO prices also don’t include customs clearance and other fees, so you’ll usually save trouble and money using a container shipping service.
• Another cost-effective way to transport your car is to ship it with your furniture and belongings using a large container. As you send everything together at once, you could save quite a lot of money that would have been otherwise spent on different shipping methods.

Vehicles can be complicated, so speak to one of our car shipping consultants who can advise whether it’s worthwhile.

Top Tips on How to Save Money and Get the Best Value International Shipping Quote 

Now we’ve discussed the most common shipping methods; you’ll be interested in finding tips on saving even more money. The following advice will help you reduce your shipping costs:

• Shipping internationally by sea is cheaper than air freight.
• Choose a cheap international shipping company with a good reputation that ships from the UK regularly – they know how to get the lowest prices.
• Always check the small print on quotes to see what is included in the price and what charges are excluded.
• Have a clear-out and try to limit how much you take, leaving older items and things you have no use for behind.
• Conversely, you need to make sure you take enough, as you will find many things are more expensive overseas. Although you could save on shipping costs, you could still pay more when replacing your stuff. For example, white goods, tools and similar equipment are often worth taking along.
• Try to book as far in advance as possible when relocating overseas; when you give the shipping company more time, you give them the chance and flexibility to offer you a cheaper price.
• To receive cheaper quotes, try to ship at the quietest time of the year. During busy seasons, prices can be a lot more expensive. You must check, as seasons vary depending on the destination country.
• The greater the volume you ship, the lower the price per cubic foot gets.
• Seek expert advice, and ask the shipper you are using to help ensure all your documents and forms are appropriately completed.
• You could save money by packing your things up if you only send small items – but this may cost more in insurance premiums.
• Negotiate! Most moving companies operate within extremely tight margins; however, there is no harm in asking for a discount, as they may be able to quote you a better price.
• Don’t have the shippers collect from your property; instead, deliver the items you can to their depot.
• Although you should invest in shipment protection cover or marine insurance, you don’t need to cover everything – just the delicate and valuable items, not items such as older clothing and other things like duvets.

What You Should Avoid Taking

There are things that you should try to avoid shipping internationally. You should check exactly what items are permitted and those subject to customs duties. In some countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, you can’t avoid basic quarantine inspection fees, but you’ll want to avoid additional fees for treatment, cleaning, and disposal of items.

Ensure all your electrical goods and electronic devices are compatible with the supply to your new home.

Tips for Avoiding Custom Charges, Quarantine Fees and Other Costs

• To save as much money as possible, you must understand the customs regulations to avoid unnecessary taxes and costs. You will have to pay these taxes and fees before you can receive your shipment
• Always ensure any items you are sending are not prohibited – avoid animal, vegetable and plant products, for instance.

Warning: Is Your Shipping Quote Too Cheap?

It may sound odd to ask that question. However, have you ever heard the phrase ‘if something looks or sounds too good to be true, it probably is’? This applies to cheap shipping quotes.

This is a very competitive market, so most removal companies and shipping companies offering the same services should quote roughly the same amount. Be wary of any cheap quote that is a little lower than you expected compared to others you’ve received. Check carefully what is involved and included before choosing your shipping company.

Some points to bear in mind include:

• Quotes based on port-to-port transit will be cheaper. However, you’ll find a door-to-door service easier.
• Are all the quotes you receive for shipping the same volume, and are they covering all the items you want to send?
• Is the quote for an all-inclusive removals service, including all packing, clearance at customs, delivery etc.?
• It could be that the shipper is using unaccredited shipping lines, which is why they can offer cheaper rates, but the risk of something going wrong is greater.
• The packing may not be done to a professional standard or use high-grade materials.
• The shipping or removal company may not have the proper FIDI FAIM or BAR Overseas accreditation.
• Unreliable, unregulated and inexperienced agents may be utilised.

Why PSS International Can Offer Low-Cost Shipping Overseas

With the tips and advice above, you will find it much easier to find a shipping company that offers cheap shipping overseas. Although you don’t have to look much further than at PSS.

We can offer you reasonably cheap quotes on shipping the contents of your property here in the UK to your new place abroad.

How and why are we able to offer such great deals? There are several great reasons why including:

• The fact we specialise in overseas shipping and international removals
• We help thousands of people with international relocations every year
• Thanks to the large volumes we ship, we have been able to negotiate the best shipping rates.
• We are not a spring chicken in the removals business, so we can offer services that are as efficient as they are affordable.
• The advisers on our team are fully experienced in completing the documents and forms and can help you do this quickly and accurately.
• We regularly ship overseas, often offering lower-cost shared container and groupage options.
• We have secured some of the best air freight rates for our customers who need to use a more urgent form of shipping.
• The packers on our team are highly skilled, professional and efficient at their job. They are the best in the business, as far as we’re concerned, and although they are very quick, they are also very careful and ensure every item is packed securely and safely.
• Our move managers have the experience and knowledge to offer quick and accurate answers to all your questions and queries.
• At the quote stage of planning your move, our estimators have enough experience and knowledge to give you a very accurate assessment.
• They also offer handy tips and packing advice, what you should take, what you may be best not taking, and why.

Shipping Internationally – Get Your Quote Today

If you are ready to relocate and are interested in finding out how much it will cost to move overseas, we urge you to contact us today to receive a free, no-obligation quote from one of our team. They can discuss options to ensure you get the lowest price for overseas shipping.

For more information on some of the services we offer and to get a quote, check out the following links:

Free Online International Shipping Cost Calculator

Box Shipping Quote Cost Calculator