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Send a parcel to the Channel Islands
Compare courier prices to the Channel Islands in one search. From £4.15, VAT-free sending and customs explained, surcharges shown upfront.
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Compare courier prices to the Channel Islands
The Channel Islands, including Jersey and Guernsey, sit outside the UK VAT area and the EU. That means two things for every parcel: qualifying goods can usually be sent VAT-free, and a short customs declaration, a CN22 or CN23, travels with the parcel. It is a point that catches a lot of senders out, because to most people the islands feel like part of the UK, yet for shipping they are handled like an overseas destination. Coverage is narrower than the mainland, as not every courier serves the islands, and some add a surcharge for the sea or air leg. For a small parcel on the cheapest economy service, though, prices still start from £4.15. ParcelMatch shows which carriers quote the route and what each costs, with VAT handled correctly and any surcharge shown before you pay, and no account needed to compare or book.
Because coverage is thinner and surcharges vary more than on the mainland, comparing is worth more here than on almost any route. One carrier may quote a small parcel keenly while another adds a Channel Islands fee, and the paperwork and VAT treatment differ between services too, so checking side by side can save a noticeable amount on a single parcel and spare you a surprise at checkout.
Cost
How much does it cost to send a parcel to the Channel Islands?
For a typical 2kg parcel, prices to the Channel Islands start from £4.15 on an economy service. Here is how the main service types compare, with live figures from the quote engine.
Size and weight set the price first, charged on the larger of the actual and volumetric weight, then speed, then any Channel Islands surcharge on the faster courier services. A large or heavy parcel up to around 30kg starts from about £14.38.
Cheapest from£4.15Economy, drop-offRoyal Mail Tracked 48 · 2 to 4 working days
- TrackedRoyal Mail Tracked 24 · 1 to 3 working days£5.30
- Two-day, trackedEvri · 3 to 4 working days£5.89
- Signed for1 to 3 working days£7.12
FromTypical delivery
London3 to 5 working days
Birmingham3 to 5 working days
Manchester3 to 5 working days
Glasgow3 to 5 working days
Delivery times
Delivery times to the Channel Islands from major UK cities
Parcels travel by sea or air, so transit is longer than the mainland. These are typical times.
Faster tracked services can shave a day or two off. The exact time shows against each quote once you enter your postcodes.
Couriers
Which couriers deliver to the Channel Islands?
Royal Mail is the most consistent and usually cheapest for small parcels, with customs paperwork built into the booking.
| Courier | On this route |
|---|---|
| Parcelforce | Parcelforce is reliable for larger and heavier items. |
| DPD and Evri | DPD and Evri serve the islands on selected services. |
| UPS, DHL and FedEx | UPS, DHL and FedEx handle urgent or heavier parcels, usually with a surcharge in the quote. |
ParcelMatch only shows services that cover the route. Because not every carrier serves the islands and the ones that do price them differently, comparing is the quickest way to find a service that both reaches the address and handles the customs step cleanly.
See all carriersVAT and customs
Do I pay VAT or customs to the Channel Islands?
Usually no VAT. As the islands are outside the UK VAT area, qualifying goods can be sent VAT-free, with a customs declaration travelling with the parcel. The carrier prepares the paperwork when you book. Check your contents are allowed, as some items are restricted, and note the recipient may owe local GST on higher-value goods. ParcelMatch handles the VAT treatment correctly in the quote, so the price you see is the price you pay.
Before you book
Common mistakes to avoid when sending to the Channel Islands
The customs step is where most problems start, but a few other habits cost money too. Keep these in mind before you book.
- 01
Treating the islands as mainland UK and skipping the customs declaration, when a CN22 or CN23 is normally required.
- 02
Defaulting to one carrier, when another may serve the route without a Channel Islands fee.
- 03
Guessing the weight rather than weighing the finished parcel, which can change the price band.
- 04
Paying for a doorstep collection when a nearby drop-off point would be cheaper.
- 05
Using an oversized box, since price follows the larger of actual and volumetric weight, and overlooking a surcharge on a faster service.
Large parcels
Sending a large or heavy parcel to the Channel Islands
Standard services handle parcels up to around 30kg and 1.5m in length, and a large or heavy parcel to the islands starts from about £14.38.
For anything bigger, see large parcel delivery.
Packing
How to pack a parcel for the Channel Islands
Pack as you would any parcel, and have your contents description and value ready for the customs form, as an accurate declaration helps the parcel clear without delay. Follow these steps before you quote:
- step 01
Measure and weigh the finished parcel, as price follows the larger of actual and volumetric weight.
- step 02
Use a sturdy box slightly larger than the contents, and a double-walled box for anything heavy or valuable.
- step 03
Wrap each item and fill every gap so nothing moves when shaken.
- step 04
Tape all the seams with strong parcel tape.
- step 05
Keep a note of what is inside and its value for the CN22 or CN23 at booking.
Your choice
Drop-off or collection?
Dropping your parcel at a local shop, Post Office or locker is usually cheaper than a doorstep collection.
Drop-off points also tend to open longer hours, so you can send at a time that suits you rather than waiting in for a driver. For something heavy, a collection is available on most services for a little more. ParcelMatch shows both in your results.
Destinations
Popular Channel Islands destinations
Send a parcel to Jersey
How it works
How it works
Book in one checkout
Pick a service, add the addresses and customs details, and pay. Your label and customs form land in your inbox.
Drop off or get collected
Leave it locally or book a collection, then track it on one page.
Why ParcelMatch
Why send to the Channel Islands with ParcelMatch
- Only carriers that actually serve the Channel Islands, compared in one search, from £4.15
- Any surcharge shown upfront, VAT handled correctly
- Customs paperwork prepared at booking
- No account needed to compare and book
- One tracking page for every courier
How much does it cost to send a parcel to the Channel Islands?
From £4.15 for a 2kg parcel on economy. A large or heavy parcel starts from about £14.38. Compare your exact parcel for the live price, as surcharges on faster services vary between carriers.
Do I need a customs form for the Channel Islands?
Usually yes. The islands are outside the UK VAT area, so a CN22 or CN23 is normally required, and the carrier prepares it at booking. You just need an accurate description and value of the contents.
Is sending VAT-free?
Qualifying goods can be sent VAT-free because the islands sit outside the UK VAT area. The recipient may owe local GST on higher-value items, so it is worth checking before you send.
How long does a parcel take to the Channel Islands?
Usually 3 to 5 working days, depending on carrier and route, as parcels travel by sea or air. Faster tracked services can shave a day or two off.
Which courier is cheapest?
Royal Mail is often cheapest for small parcels, at £4.15, with customs paperwork built into the booking. Compare your exact parcel, as another carrier may price a larger or heavier item more keenly.
Are there items I cannot send to the Channel Islands?
Some items are restricted or prohibited, so check your contents are allowed before you book. The usual carrier restrictions apply, and the customs declaration must describe what is inside.
Can I track a parcel to the Channel Islands?
Yes. Every booking includes tracking on one ParcelMatch page, whichever courier carries it, so you can follow it across the sea or air leg.
Ready when you are
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