US Fulfilment for UK Ecommerce Brands Expanding into America

Plenty of UK brands find US demand before they find a plan for it. Orders start arriving from New York and California, you ship them from the UK, and it works until it doesn’t. Delivery takes too long, duties surprise your customers at the door, and returns become too expensive to bother with.

Since the US ended its $800 de minimis exemption in August 2025, every parcel you send from the UK now goes through formal duty and clearance. For most growing brands, that changes the maths completely. Shipping from home, holding stock in a US warehouse, or running a mix of both is now a commercial decision, not just an operational one.

FulfilQ connects UK brands with vetted US 3PLs, fulfilment centres, freight forwarders and customs specialists. Tell us how you operate and we’ll only introduce you to providers with an operational fit of 80% or higher.

Start your free RFP

The real question isn’t “which US 3PL?” but “which model?”

Before you compare warehouses, decide how you want US orders to reach customers. There are three realistic routes for a UK brand.

Ship direct from the UK. Lowest commitment and no US stock to manage. It suits brands testing demand or selling high-value, low-volume products. The trade-off is slower delivery, duty on every parcel and a customer experience that rarely matches US competitors.

Hold stock in a US 3PL. You ship bulk freight across the Atlantic, clear customs once per shipment, and fulfil orders domestically. Delivery drops to two to five days, duty is paid on landed stock rather than individual parcels, and returns stay in the country. This is where most brands land once US orders become consistent.

Run a hybrid. Fast sellers sit in the US, long-tail SKUs ship from the UK. It protects cash flow while you learn what actually sells over there, but it needs a provider comfortable with split inventory and clean stock data.

If you’re unsure which applies to you, that’s precisely the conversation a good partner should help you have before they quote.

What to check before you choose a US fulfilment partner

Customs and importer of record. Someone has to act as importer of record and hold a customs bond. Some 3PLs arrange this, some leave it with you, and some work with a broker. Get clarity before your first container lands, not after.

Warehouse location. Most UK brands start on the East Coast for faster transatlantic freight, but a single East Coast site can mean slow, costly delivery to the West. Two locations, or one central site, often makes more sense once volume justifies it. Ask where your customers actually are before you pick a postcode.

Sales tax exposure. Storing stock in a US state can create a sales tax obligation in that state. Your 3PL won’t file it for you, but they should be upfront about where your inventory will sit so you can plan with your accountant.

Product compliance. Cosmetics, supplements, food, children’s products and electrical goods all carry US regulatory requirements that differ from the UK. A provider who already handles your category will spot problems early.

Returns. American shoppers expect easy returns. Shipping them back to the UK rarely makes sense, so check whether your partner can inspect, restock or dispose of returns locally.

Integrations. Your Shopify, Amazon or marketplace setup needs to connect cleanly with their WMS, including multi-currency and multi-location inventory if you’re running UK and US stock side by side.

Why operational fit matters more than the lowest quote

The cheapest US warehouse is rarely the cheapest outcome. A provider who doesn’t understand transatlantic freight, can’t support your packaging, or struggles with your order profile will cost you in delays, chargebacks and customer complaints long before the invoice shows it.

That’s why FulfilQ matches on operational fit first. We look at your order volumes, product type, channels, destinations, packaging, compliance needs and growth plans, then compare them against what each provider genuinely does well. If nobody in our network reaches 80% fit, we tell you, and we work with you to refine the brief rather than pushing a poor match.

How FulfilQ works for UK brands entering the US

1. Share your requirements through a free, no-obligation RFP. It takes a few minutes.

2. Get matched with vetted providers above 80% operational fit, often within minutes.

3. Speak to the ones that make sense. No bidding wars, no recycled leads, no pressure.

Not ready for an RFP? Ask Logan, our AI logistics assistant, anything from “do I need a customs bond?” to “should my first US warehouse be in New Jersey or Texas?” Logan works on site and on WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a US company to sell to American customers?
No. Many UK brands sell into the US through their UK entity. You’ll still need an importer of record for stock held in the US, and you should take advice on sales tax and income tax exposure as you grow.

How much does US fulfilment cost for a UK brand?
It depends on order volume, product size, storage needs and where your customers are. Beyond pick and pack fees, budget for transatlantic freight, duties, customs brokerage and domestic shipping. Comparing total landed cost, not warehouse rates alone, gives you the true picture.

When should a UK brand move stock to the US?
When US orders are steady enough that per-parcel duties, slow delivery or lost conversions cost more than holding inventory there. For many brands, that point arrived sooner after the de minimis change.

Can one provider handle both my UK and US fulfilment?
Some can. Several providers in our network operate on both sides of the Atlantic, which simplifies contracts, reporting and stock visibility. Others specialise in one market and do it exceptionally well. Your RFP will show which suits you.

Do I need a freight forwarder as well as a 3PL?
Usually, yes, unless your 3PL offers freight and customs in-house. FulfilQ’s network includes 3PLs, freight forwarders and customs clearance specialists, so you can build the full chain in one place.