Shipping to North America
Freight & Logistics Solutions Across North America
Reliable freight services from the UK to North America, including air, sea, and inland transport with full customs and compliance support.
Air & Sea Freight | Customs Clearance | North America Coverage | Global Logistics
International Freight
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UK to North America and the Caribbean freight
Sea and air freight from the UK to 36 destinations in North America, Central America and the Caribbean
Qube Cargo ships from the UK to the USA, Canada and Mexico, across Central America and to islands throughout the Caribbean. We run full and shared containers to ports such as New York, Savannah, Montreal, Veracruz and Kingston, and air freight to all major cities.
Each market has its own rules, from US security filings and tariffs to high import duty on many Caribbean islands. We handle the paperwork at both ends so your goods clear quickly.
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Shipping to North America
North America at a glance
Watch out for: sea freight to the USA needs an Importer Security Filing (ISF) before loading, and food needs FDA prior notice. Many Caribbean islands charge high import duty even where there is no VAT. *Import tax still applies.
Freight Services to North America
We provide reliable freight and logistics solutions for businesses shipping goods between the UK and North America.
From full container loads and groupage to time-critical and specialist cargo, shipments are coordinated across air, sea, and inland transport networks to ensure efficient and compliant delivery.
Our global network supports both standard and complex movements, including cross-border transport, customs clearance, and final delivery across the United States, Canada, and the wider region.
Freight Solutions for North America
We provide a range of freight solutions to North America, tailored to cargo type, urgency, and delivery requirements.
Air Freight to North America
Fast delivery for urgent or high-value shipments
Sea Freight to North America
Cost-effective transport for large or non-urgent cargo
Full Container Load (FCL)
Dedicated containers for high-volume shipments
Less Than Container Load (LCL)
Shared container space for smaller consignments
Inland Transport & Distribution
Road and rail delivery across the US, Canada, and regional markets
North American Shipping Destinations
Find your country below for typical transit times, import tax and duty. Click through for ports, customs and FAQs.
North America
Frequent sailings to the US East Coast and Canada, with longer routes to the West Coast and Mexico. UK goods are duty-free in Canada under the UK–Canada deal, while most pay an extra 10% tariff in the US.
United States10–14 days East Coast, 25–30 days West Coast1–3 daysNo federal VAT; state sales tax may apply10% baseline on most UK goods (2026)
Canada9–14 days to Montreal or Halifax1–2 days5% GST + provincial tax0% on most UK-origin goods*
Mexico14–21 days to the Gulf coast1–3 days16% IVAReduced or 0% on many UK goods*
Bermuda14–21 days1–2 daysNo VATUsually 25% on most goods
Greenland15–25 days2–4 daysNo VATDepends on the goodsCentral America
Sea freight to Puerto Cortés, Santo Tomás, Puerto Limón and Panama, with air freight to all capitals. The UK–Central America agreement gives 0% duty on most UK-origin industrial goods.
Belize25–35 days2–3 days12.5% GST plus environmental taxReduced on many UK goods*
Guatemala20–28 days1–3 days12% VAT0% on most UK-origin industrial goods*
Honduras20–28 days1–3 days15% sales tax0% on most UK-origin industrial goods*
El Salvador22–32 days1–3 days13% VAT0% on most UK-origin industrial goods*
Costa Rica20–28 days1–3 days13% VAT0% on most UK-origin industrial goods*
Panama18–25 days1–3 days7% ITBMS (sales tax)0% on most UK-origin industrial goods*
NicaraguaUK sanctions apply––Call us firstThe larger Caribbean islands
Direct and transshipment services to Kingston, Santo Domingo, San Juan, Nassau and Grand Cayman. Duty rates vary widely, and some islands charge 20% or more.
Jamaica16–22 days1–2 days15% GCTReduced on many UK goods*
Dominican Republic14–20 days1–2 days18% ITBIS (VAT)Reduced on many UK goods*
Puerto Rico14–20 days1–3 days11.5% sales and use tax10% US baseline on most UK goods
Bahamas18–25 days1–2 days10% VATDepends on the goods (often high)
Turks and Caicos Islands20–28 days1–3 daysNo VATApplies to most goods (often high)
Grand Cayman20–28 days1–3 daysNo VATUsually 22% on most goods
Aruba18–25 days1–3 daysTurnover taxes (BBO/BAVP)Depends on the goods
CubaRestrictions apply––Call us first
HaitiUK sanctions apply––Call us firstThe Eastern Caribbean
Regular feeder services from the main hubs to the Leeward and Windward Islands, Barbados and Trinidad. CARIFORUM states give reduced duty on many UK goods.
Antigua & Barbuda18–25 days1–3 days17% ABSTReduced on many UK goods*
Anguilla20–30 days2–4 days13% GSTDepends on the goods
British Virgin Islands20–30 days2–4 daysNo VATUsually 5–20%
US Virgin Islands18–25 days1–3 daysExcise tax on many goods6% on most non-US goods
St. Maarten16–25 days1–3 days5% turnover tax on local salesNo import duty (free port)
St. Kitts and Nevis18–28 days2–3 days17% VATReduced on many UK goods*
Montserrat20–30 days3–5 daysConsumption tax on most goodsDepends on the goods
Guadeloupe14–20 days1–3 days8.5% VAT plus dock dues0% on UK-origin goods*
Dominica20–30 days2–4 days15% VATReduced on many UK goods*
Martinique14–20 days1–3 days8.5% VAT plus dock dues0% on UK-origin goods*
St. Lucia16–25 days1–3 days12.5% VATReduced on many UK goods*
St. Vincent18–28 days2–3 days16% VATReduced on many UK goods*
Barbados14–20 days1–2 days17.5% VATReduced on many UK goods*
Grenada18–28 days1–3 days15% VATReduced on many UK goods*
Trinidad and Tobago16–22 days1–2 days12.5% VATReduced on many UK goods*Sea times are typical port-to-port times unless marked door to door, and vary by service and season. *UK-origin goods with proof of origin; import tax still applies. Click any country for full details.
Speak to a North America freight specialist for tailored shipping solutions across air, sea, and inland transport.
UK trade deals that cut duty in North America
Duty on UK goods ranges from zero to over 20% across the region. Here is how the main rules work.
Canada
UK–Canada trade agreement: 0% duty on most UK-origin goods.
Mexico
UK–Mexico agreement and the CPTPP: reduced or 0% duty on many UK goods.
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama
UK–Central America agreement: 0% duty on most UK-origin industrial goods.
CARIFORUM states
UK–CARIFORUM agreement: reduced duty on many UK goods in Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, the Dominican Republic and the Eastern Caribbean.
Guadeloupe and Martinique
French territories under EU rules: 0% duty on UK-origin goods, plus local dock dues.
USA, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands
No UK trade deal. Most UK goods pay an extra 10% US tariff on top of normal duty, with special rules for steel, aluminium and cars.
British and Dutch territories
Bermuda, Cayman, Turks and Caicos, Anguilla, BVI, Montserrat and Aruba set their own duty, often high. St Maarten is a free port.
Cuba, Haiti and Nicaragua
Sanctions or restrictions affect trade. Please call us on 01200 318108 before you plan a shipment.
Import VAT or sales tax is charged in almost every country, whatever the duty rate.
Customs & Shipping to North America
Shipping to North America requires accurate customs documentation and compliance with international and local regulations.
Key requirements typically include commercial invoices, commodity codes, and correct declaration of goods. Additional requirements may apply depending on the destination and cargo type.
We manage customs processes as part of the overall shipment, ensuring goods move efficiently and compliantly across borders.
Why businesses choose Qube Cargo for North America freight
- Established air and sea freight routes between the UK and North America
- Customs processes managed to ensure smooth cross-border movement
- Flexible solutions including FCL, LCL, and inland distribution
- Experience handling time-critical and specialist cargo
- Clear communication and full shipment visibility
Frequently Asked Questions about Shipping to North America
Shipping typically requires a commercial invoice, packing list, and accurate commodity codes. Additional documentation may be required depending on the destination and cargo type.
Transit times vary depending on destination and transport method. Air freight is the fastest option, while sea freight provides a more cost-effective solution for less urgent shipments.
We provide air freight, sea freight, FCL, LCL, and inland distribution services across North America.
Yes, we manage customs processes to ensure shipments are compliant and move efficiently through borders.
Yes, we handle dangerous goods, oversized cargo, temperature-controlled shipments, and time-critical deliveries.
Yes. Most UK goods currently pay an extra 10% US tariff on top of normal duty, and the rules have changed several times in 2026. Steel, aluminium and cars have their own rates. Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands follow US rules. We can check the rate for your goods.
Most do, even where there is no VAT. Bermuda, the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas charge 20% or more on many goods, while CARIFORUM states give reduced rates on many UK goods. Guadeloupe and Martinique follow EU rules, and St Maarten is a free port.