Royal Mail or FedEx for UK to US?

[JPie]

Had anyone had recent experience with packages coming from Europe to the US, either through Royal Mail/USPS or FedEx? I’m trying to decide which service to use, and I seem to recall that in the past, FedEx will send a bill for additional surcharges. They’re separate from customs duties.

In contrast, I’ve never had additional fees through Royal Mail/USPS beyond customs duties.

Does this ring true for anyone else?

 

[diamondhoarder]

Had anyone had recent experience with packages coming from Europe to the US, either through Royal Mail/USPS or FedEx? I’m trying to decide which service to use, and I seem to recall that in the past, FedEx will send a bill for additional surcharges. They’re separate from customs duties.

In contrast, I’ve never had additional fees through Royal Mail/USPS beyond customs duties.

Does this ring true for anyone else?

It depends what you are sending - if its jewellery and you are a private individual rather than a business then Fedex wont accept the package anyway. In fact I think Royal Mail also dont provide insured postage internationally for jewellery. DHL express covers you for up to £4k from UK to US as a private individual. I can't comment on additional fees though - I never had to pay them.

 

[Snowdrop13]

Going in the other direction my experience is that both add a surcharge. The only difference is that FedEx will deliver then send the bill, Royal Mail won’t deliver until all charges are paid.

 

[JPie]

It’s a business and they’ll ship through either. There’s a law on the books that antique jewelry is exempt from customs duties when imported to the US.