How to Forward Parcels from the UK — Step by Step
How to Forward Parcels from the UK — Step by Step
Forwarding parcels from the UK internationally is a straightforward process once you know the steps — but there are several points where things can go wrong, causing delays, rejected orders or customs problems at the destination. This step-by-step guide covers exactly how to forward parcels from the UK using Send2Hub, from registering your account through to your parcel arriving at your door. It also covers the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Step 1 — Register and Get Your Free UK Address
Go to send2hub.com/login and register for a free account. The registration takes under two minutes. Once registered, your personalised UK delivery address is available immediately in your account dashboard — no waiting period.
Your UK address will look like this:
Your Full Name
Unit [Your Number], Send2Hub
Unit 4 Tunstall Trade Park
Brownhills Road
Stoke-on-Trent
ST6 4SE
United Kingdom
Your unique unit number is assigned automatically and appears in your dashboard. This number is essential — it is how we identify which parcels belong to your account when they arrive at the warehouse. Never omit it from your delivery address.
Step 2 — Enter Your UK Address Correctly at Checkout
This is where most forwarding problems begin. Filling in the address incorrectly at a UK retailer checkout is the most common cause of unidentified parcels at the warehouse. Here is exactly how to fill in each field:
Name field
Use the same name you registered with on your Send2Hub account. This is how we match incoming parcels to your account. Do not use a different name, a company name or a nickname — use your registered name exactly as it appears in your Send2Hub dashboard.
Address line 1
Enter your unit number here — this is the most critical field. Format: Unit [Your Number], Send2Hub — for example "Unit 1234, Send2Hub". Do not put just the number on its own. Do not omit "Send2Hub".
Address line 2
Enter: Unit 4 Tunstall Trade Park
City / Town
Stoke-on-Trent
County / Region
Staffordshire — enter this if the checkout requires a county field.
Postcode
ST6 4SE — always include this. Many UK checkouts validate the postcode. If the checkout offers an address lookup by postcode, enter ST6 4SE and then manually edit Address Line 1 to include your unit number.
Country
United Kingdom
For a visual guide to filling in the address form at different UK retailer checkouts, visit our how to fill the address form page.
Step 3 — Place Your Order and Wait for Arrival Confirmation
Complete your purchase at the UK retailer as normal. The retailer will ship your order to your Send2Hub address using standard UK domestic shipping. Typical UK domestic delivery times are 1-3 working days for standard services and next-day for express services.
When your parcel arrives at our warehouse, you will receive an automatic email notification. The parcel will appear in your account dashboard with its arrival photograph, actual weight, dimensions and volumetric weight — all processed automatically on the same day it arrives. You do not need to do anything at this stage.
Step 4 — Review Your Parcels in the Dashboard
Log in to your Send2Hub account and check your dashboard. For each parcel you will see the arrival photograph, actual weight, dimensions and calculated volumetric weight. Review the arrival photograph to confirm the parcel has arrived in good condition before deciding next steps.
If you have ordered from multiple UK retailers and are waiting for more parcels to arrive, keep them in free storage while you accumulate everything you want to ship together. Free storage is included on every plan: 30 days on the Individual plan, 45 days on Business and 60 days on Premium.
Step 5 — Request Consolidation (Recommended)
If you have multiple parcels in your account, consolidating them into a single outbound shipment before shipping internationally saves significant money. In your dashboard, select the parcels you want to combine and request consolidation. Our automated system calculates the combined weight and dimensions instantly.
During consolidation, Send2Hub removes unnecessary outer packaging and repacks all items into a single optimised box — reducing volumetric weight and therefore reducing the shipping charge. Most customers save 40-60% on international shipping through consolidation compared to shipping each parcel individually. Learn more on our parcel consolidation page.
Step 6 — Compare Carriers and Pay for Shipping
Once your parcels are consolidated (or if you are shipping a single parcel), select your destination address and compare live rates across all available carriers — Royal Mail, Parcelforce, UPS, DHL, FedEx and DPD. Rates are shown for your specific parcel weight, dimensions and destination in real time.
Choose the carrier that best suits your budget and required transit time. Express carriers (DHL, FedEx) are faster but more expensive. Economy options (Royal Mail International Tracked) are slower but more cost-effective for lighter parcels. Use our shipping calculator to preview rates before requesting consolidation.
Step 7 — Provide Accurate Customs Declaration
At checkout in your Send2Hub dashboard, you will be asked to provide a customs declaration for your outbound shipment. This is a legal requirement for all international shipments and must be accurate. You need to provide:
Item description — a specific description of what is in your parcel. "Clothing", "Electronics" or "Gifts" are not sufficient. Use specific descriptions such as "Cotton women's jumper", "Bluetooth headphones" or "Ceramic coffee mug".
Declared value — the actual purchase price of the goods in GBP. Do not undervalue or request that we declare a lower value — this is customs fraud and creates serious risk of penalties, seizure or return of your parcel at the destination.
HS code (optional but recommended) — the harmonised tariff code for your product. Including the correct HS code significantly speeds up customs clearance. Use our customs duty estimator to find the right code and estimate import charges before shipping.
Step 8 — Track Your Shipment to Its Destination
Once your payment is confirmed and your parcel is dispatched, a tracking number is provided in your account dashboard and by email. Use the carrier's tracking link to monitor your delivery from the moment it leaves our warehouse to the moment it arrives at your door. All carriers available through Send2Hub provide full end-to-end tracking. Visit our parcel tracking page for direct links to each carrier's tracking system.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Missing or wrong unit number
The most common problem. A parcel that arrives without your unit number cannot be matched to your account automatically. Always double-check that your unit number is included in Address Line 1 before completing your checkout.
Ordering from non-UK retailers to your Send2Hub address
Send2Hub only accepts parcels from UK-based senders. Goods dispatched directly from outside the United Kingdom — including orders placed on international marketplace platforms fulfilled from overseas — cannot be accepted at our warehouse. Only order from UK retailers and UK-based sellers to your Send2Hub address.
Shipping each parcel individually without consolidating
Shipping five separate parcels internationally costs significantly more than consolidating them into one. Wait until all your purchases have arrived before requesting an outbound shipment — this one step alone accounts for most of the cost savings Send2Hub customers achieve.
Not checking customs charges before shipping
Import duties and VAT at your destination can significantly increase the total cost of your purchase. Always check estimated customs charges before committing to a shipment — particularly for EU destinations (flat €3 per item category from July 2026) and the USA (all shipments now subject to duties since August 2025). Use our customs duty estimator before paying for shipping.
Sending prohibited items to your UK address
Some goods cannot be accepted at our warehouse or forwarded internationally — including standalone lithium batteries, power banks, perfumes, aerosols and SIM cards. Always check our prohibited and restricted items page before ordering anything you are unsure about.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to forward a parcel from the UK internationally?
Once your parcel arrives at our Stoke-on-Trent warehouse and you request forwarding, same-day dispatch is available for shipments confirmed before our daily cutoff. International transit times depend on your carrier and destination — typically 2-4 days with DHL or FedEx Express and 7-14 days with Royal Mail International Tracked. Use our shipping calculator to compare current transit estimates.
What if my parcel arrives without my unit number?
If a parcel arrives at our warehouse without a unit number or with an unrecognisable name, our team will attempt to identify the recipient. Contact us immediately via send2hub.com/contact-us with your name, registered email address and the name of the retailer who sent the parcel. Include your expected delivery date if known.
Can I forward parcels from any UK retailer?
Yes — any UK retailer that delivers to UK addresses can deliver to your Send2Hub address. This includes retailers that do not offer international shipping directly. The only requirement is that the sender must be based in the UK. Goods dispatched from outside the UK cannot be accepted.
How many parcels can I consolidate into one shipment?
There is no fixed limit on the number of parcels you can consolidate — practical limits are determined by the maximum weight and dimensions accepted by your chosen carrier for the destination. For very large consolidated shipments, contact our team before requesting consolidation to confirm carrier availability for your specific weight and destination.
What is volumetric weight and why does it matter?
Volumetric weight is calculated as L(cm) × W(cm) × H(cm) ÷ 5,000. International carriers charge for the greater of actual weight and volumetric weight. A lightweight item in a large box can cost significantly more to ship than its physical weight suggests. Send2Hub calculates volumetric weight automatically for every parcel on arrival — and removes excess packaging during consolidation to minimise chargeable weight.