Importing From USA to UK
The United States is one of the UK's most significant trading partners and for good reason. From cutting-edge technology and industrial equipment to consumer goods, food products and raw materials, American suppliers serve virtually every sector of the UK economy. At Origin Global Logistics, we make importing from the USA to the UK straightforward, managing the entire process from US collection through to customs clearance and final UK delivery.
We work with businesses of all sizes, from importers bringing over a single pallet to companies running regular high-volume shipments across the Atlantic. Whatever you're sourcing and wherever in the US it's coming from, we have the expertise, the routes and the relationships to get it here efficiently.
Why UK Businesses Source From the United States
The US isn't just a large market, it's a uniquely capable one. American suppliers are known for innovation, scale and consistency, making the US a go-to source for goods that are difficult to find elsewhere at the same quality or specification.
World-leading industries
The US excels in aerospace, pharmaceuticals, technology, agriculture, chemicals and advanced manufacturing, sectors where quality and compliance matter as much as price.
Trusted supplier relationships
American businesses are experienced exporters with well-developed logistics infrastructure, making them reliable and straightforward partners for UK importers.
Product availability and scale
The sheer scale of the US economy means UK businesses can source almost anything and often in volumes that other markets struggle to match.
English-language trade
Shared language makes supplier communication, contract negotiation and documentation handling considerably more straightforward than many other import origins.
Strong IP and quality protections
American goods are produced under robust regulatory frameworks, giving UK importers confidence in product safety, authenticity and consistency.
Freight Options for Importing Goods From the USA to the UK
Sea Freight - FCL and LCL
For regular or high-volume imports, sea freight is the most cost-effective way of importing goods from the USA to the UK. Transit times across the Atlantic typically range from 10-16 days depending on the origin port and UK destination.
FCL (Full Container Load) - the right choice for large, high-volume or palletised shipments requiring dedicated container space
LCL (Less-than-Container Load) - ideal for smaller consignments consolidated with other freight, keeping costs proportionate to your shipment size
We work with major US export ports including Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Houston and Chicago (via inland container depots), routing freight into UK ports including Felixstowe, Southampton and London Gateway.
Air Freight
When speed matters, air freight from the US to the UK is the answer. We arrange collections from across the US and route shipments through major cargo hubs including JFK, LAX, O'Hare and Atlanta into UK air freight terminals. This is particularly well-suited to high-value goods, electronics, pharmaceuticals and time-critical stock replenishment.
Intermodal Solutions
The US is a vast country and inland logistics can be as complex as the ocean crossing itself. We coordinate the complete door-to-door journey, combining road, rail and sea legs to collect from any US location and deliver anywhere in the UK.
Import Duty From the USA to the UK - What You Need to Know
Understanding import duty from the USA to the UK is one of the most common concerns for businesses new to transatlantic sourcing. It's an area where getting it right from the start saves considerable time and cost.
The UK and US do not currently have a free trade agreement in place, which means most goods imported from the USA to the UK are subject to standard UK tariff rates. The key points to understand:
Customs duties are charged based on the commodity code (HS code) assigned to your goods, rates vary significantly by product type
Import VAT at 20% is applied to most goods on arrival in the UK, calculated on the customs value plus any duty
Customs value is based on the transaction value of the goods, including freight and insurance costs to the UK border
De minimis threshold - goods valued under £135 are subject to VAT at the point of sale rather than at import, but commercial shipments almost always exceed this
Customs charges from the USA to the UK can be reliably estimated in advance, our team provides duty calculations as part of our pre-shipment planning so there are no surprises on arrival
At Origin Global Logistics, our customs specialists handle all entries, documentation and compliance, ensuring your goods clear the UK border without delays and that customs charges from the USA to the UK are calculated accurately every time.
What Our Clients Say About Us
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Grace Robinson ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 2025 "I would highly recommend Origin Logistics. They have been fantastic at dealing with our customs clearances and container deliveries. We have used several other companies in the past, but Sophie and the team are the best by far. Thanks guys!" |
Lance Lee ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 2025 "We’ve had a great experience working with Sophie and the team. Communication is always clear, deliveries are well-coordinated, and they’ve consistently supported us with efficient and reliable service. Highly recommended!" |
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Sy Howard ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 2025 "Having worked with many different logistic businesses throughout my career, I can honestly say the team are always happy to go that extra mile to ensure a smooth service. Alison and more recently Amy have been nothing short of Superb, even with 'difficult' customer like myself. Highly recommended." |
Andrius Usackus ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 2025 "We’ve been working with Origin for many years and their service has always been outstanding. They are efficient, reliable and professional in every way. The team, especially Sophie, always goes the extra mile to keep things running smoothly. It’s a pleasure working with them and we’re proud of our long-standing partnership. Highly recommended!" |
Common Goods Imported From the USA to the UK
The range of products UK businesses source from the US is enormous. Some of the most frequently imported categories include:
Technology and Electronics - Computer hardware, semiconductors, consumer electronics and specialist tech components from America's world-leading technology sector.
Machinery and Industrial Equipment - Heavy machinery, manufacturing equipment, specialist tools and engineered components for UK industrial and construction businesses.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices - The US is a global leader in pharmaceuticals, medical technology and laboratory equipment, all regularly imported by UK healthcare and life sciences businesses.
Automotive Parts and Vehicles - Classic cars, specialist vehicles and automotive components represent a significant and consistent flow of imports from the US to the UK.
Food, Drink and Agricultural Products - American food and beverage products, from specialist ingredients and snack foods to wines, spirits and agricultural commodities, have strong demand in the UK market.
Importing From the USA to the UK With Origin Global Logistics
We combine transatlantic freight expertise with hands-on customs knowledge to make your USA imports run smoothly from day one.
Complete door-to-door service from any US location to anywhere in the UK
Sea, air and specialist freight options to suit every shipment type and budget
Expert customs clearance with accurate duty and VAT calculation on every shipment
Proactive shipment tracking so you always know exactly where your goods are
Experienced transatlantic team with established carrier and port relationships on both sides of the Atlantic
Scalable import solutions that grow with your business, whether you're shipping once a quarter or weekly
Getting started is straightforward — contact our team with details of what you're importing and where it's coming from, and we'll put together a tailored freight solution and quote.
Explore Our Freight Forwarding Services
Air Freight
Warehousing and Distribution
Sea Freight
Customs Clearance
Container Storage
Temperature Controlled Transport
European Road Freight
Shipping Container Transport
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