How to Send a Parcel Abroad: Smart Tips from Send2Hub
How to Send a Parcel Abroad: Smart Tips from Send2Hub
Shipping parcels from the UK to international destinations has never been more straightforward — but the range of options, carrier choices, customs requirements and cost structures can make it feel more complicated than it needs to be. This guide explains how international parcel forwarding works via Send2Hub, what to consider before shipping, and how to ensure your parcels arrive on time, at the lowest possible cost, without customs surprises at the destination.
How Send2Hub International Parcel Forwarding Works
Send2Hub is a UK parcel forwarding service, not a direct courier. The distinction matters — and understanding it helps you get the most out of the service.
Here is how it works: you register for a free UK delivery address at our Stoke-on-Trent warehouse. UK retailers and UK-based senders deliver your parcels to that address domestically within the UK, at low domestic shipping rates. Send2Hub then receives, photographs, weighs and measures every parcel automatically on arrival — and you log in to your account to choose when and how to forward your parcels internationally. You select your carrier, pay for shipping and we dispatch your parcel to your international address.
This model offers two significant advantages over direct international shipping. First, it unlocks access to UK retailers that do not offer international delivery. Second, it allows you to consolidate multiple parcels from different UK retailers into a single international shipment — dramatically reducing your total shipping cost. Most customers save 40-60% on international shipping through consolidation compared to shipping each parcel separately. Learn more on our parcel consolidation page.
Step-by-Step — How to Ship Internationally via Send2Hub
Step 1 — Register and get your UK address
Register free at Send2Hub — it takes under two minutes. You receive your personal UK delivery address immediately, with your unique unit number. This is the address you use at checkout with UK retailers, or the address you provide to UK-based senders. There is no monthly fee on the Individual and Business plans.
Step 2 — Have parcels delivered to your UK address
Shop from any UK retailer using your Send2Hub address at checkout, or arrange for UK-based suppliers to send goods to your address. All parcels are received by UK carriers at Send2Hub's Stoke-on-Trent warehouse. There are no restrictions on which UK retailers or UK-based senders can use this address.
Step 3 — We process every parcel automatically on arrival
Every parcel is photographed, weighed and measured on the same day it arrives and registered to your account dashboard immediately. You can see exactly what has arrived, in what condition, with actual weight and dimensions — giving you accurate cost data for your outbound shipment decision before you commit to anything.
Step 4 — Consolidate (optional but recommended)
If you have multiple parcels waiting in your account, consolidate them into a single outbound shipment before paying for international shipping. Send2Hub's automated system calculates the combined weight and dimensions instantly, giving you accurate carrier cost comparisons across all six available carriers. Free storage is included: 30 days Individual, 45 days Business, 60 days Premium.
Step 5 — Choose your carrier and ship
Compare live rates across Royal Mail, Parcelforce, UPS, DHL, FedEx and DPD for your specific parcel and destination. Choose the option that best balances cost and transit time, pay and your parcel is dispatched with full customs documentation prepared on your behalf. Use our shipping cost calculator to estimate costs before you commit.
What to Consider Before Shipping Internationally
Carrier and service type
Different carriers offer different transit times, tracking capabilities and pricing at different weight brackets. Express services (DHL Express, FedEx Priority, UPS Expedited) offer faster transit at higher cost. Economy services (Royal Mail International, Parcelforce) offer slower transit at lower cost. Always compare across all available options for your specific parcel rather than defaulting to a single carrier.
Volumetric weight
International carriers charge for the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight. Volumetric weight is calculated as L × W × H (in cm) ÷ 5,000. A large but lightweight parcel can cost significantly more than its physical weight suggests. Send2Hub calculates volumetric weight automatically for every parcel, so you always know the chargeable weight before committing to a shipment.
Customs duties and taxes
Every country applies its own import duties and taxes to incoming international parcels. The rules have changed significantly in 2025 and 2026 — the USA suspended its $800 duty-free threshold in August 2025, and the EU introduced a new flat €3 per item customs duty on low-value parcels from 1 July 2026. Use our customs duty estimator to check likely import charges for your specific destination and goods before shipping. For country-specific information, visit our international country guide.
Prohibited and restricted items
Both Send2Hub and international carriers maintain lists of goods that cannot be shipped internationally. These include lithium-ion batteries in certain configurations, perfumes and aerosols, certain food products, counterfeit goods and various other regulated items. Check our prohibited and restricted items page before shipping to ensure your goods are eligible for international dispatch.
Accurate customs documentation
All international shipments require accurate customs documentation — correct item descriptions, declared values and, where applicable, harmonised tariff codes. Send2Hub prepares standard customs export documentation for all outbound shipments. Providing accurate declared values is both a legal requirement and a practical protection — if a parcel is lost or damaged, any claim is capped at the declared value.
Tips for Getting the Most from International Parcel Forwarding
Wait for multiple parcels before shipping. The single biggest cost saving available to most customers is consolidation. Rather than paying for international shipping on each order as it arrives, hold parcels in free storage until you have accumulated enough to make a consolidated shipment worthwhile.
Check customs thresholds before buying. If your consolidated shipment's declared value crosses a customs duty threshold in your destination country, you will pay import duties on arrival. Knowing the threshold in advance — using our customs estimator — lets you decide whether to split shipments strategically or account for duty in your total cost calculation.
Use the shipping calculator before committing. International carrier rates vary significantly by weight, dimensions and destination. Checking the calculator before requesting a shipment takes two minutes and can save significantly on the carrier selection decision — particularly at higher weight brackets where the difference between carriers is most pronounced.
Register before you need to ship. Your UK address is available immediately after registration — there is no waiting period. Registering in advance means your address is ready the moment you want to start placing UK orders.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does international shipping cost with Send2Hub?
Shipping costs depend on the chargeable weight of your parcel (the greater of actual and volumetric weight), your destination and the carrier and service you select. Use our shipping calculator for an instant comparison across all available carriers for your specific parcel and destination.
Can I track my parcel after it is dispatched?
Yes. A tracking number for your outbound shipment is provided in your account dashboard and by email as soon as your parcel is dispatched. Use the corresponding carrier tracking link to monitor your delivery. All carrier tracking links are available on our parcel tracking page.
Does Send2Hub handle customs paperwork?
Send2Hub prepares standard customs export documentation for all outbound international shipments from our warehouse. You are responsible for providing accurate declared values and item descriptions at the time of checkout. Use our customs duty estimator to check likely import charges at the destination before shipping.
Which countries does Send2Hub ship to?
Send2Hub ships to virtually every country in the world via Royal Mail, Parcelforce, UPS, DHL, FedEx and DPD. Carrier availability varies by destination. Use the shipping calculator to confirm available options and rates for your specific destination.
How long does international delivery take with Send2Hub?
Transit times vary by destination and the carrier and service level you select. Economy services typically take 5-15 working days to most destinations. Express services can deliver in 2-5 working days to major destinations. Estimated transit times are shown for each carrier option when you compare rates in your account dashboard.