Walmart is one of the biggest retail giants in the world, but if you’re living in the UK and want to place an order, you’ll quickly find that Walmart does not ship directly to UK addresses. Their shipping services are restricted to the United States and a few domestic territories, which means UK customers can’t check out and choose a UK delivery option through Walmart.com.
That doesn’t mean it’s impossible to access Walmart products in the UK. Many shoppers still manage to get items delivered internationally by using parcel forwarding services, which act as a middle step between Walmart and international customers.
Why Does Walmart Ship to the UK?
While Walmart doesn’t officially ship to the UK, shoppers in the UK often use third-party services to route parcels internationally. These companies provide you with a US-based address. Once your Walmart order arrives at that address, the parcel is forwarded to your UK home for a fee. This workaround gives UK customers access to thousands of Walmart items, even if Walmart itself doesn’t offer overseas delivery.
The reason Walmart hasn’t expanded international shipping directly is likely due to the complexity of customs, fulfilment infrastructure, and delivery logistics outside of the United States. Their focus remains on domestic growth and partnerships, rather than global distribution from their core US site.
What Are the Walmart Shipping Options to the UK?
Since Walmart doesn’t offer a direct international delivery service, the shipping options to the UK come from the parcel forwarding provider you choose. When you use a forwarding service, they receive your Walmart order at their US-based warehouse and then offer a choice of shipping methods to your UK address. These methods usually range from economy to express, depending on the courier networks they work with.
The actual parcel is often shipped through international couriers such as DHL, FedEx or USPS, but the details and cost depend on the size, weight and urgency of your delivery.
How Much Does It Cost?
Shipping from the US to the UK using a forwarding company varies in price. Costs are influenced by how heavy and large the parcel is, where it’s being delivered to, and which courier you choose. For most small to medium-sized parcels, international forwarding can range from fairly affordable to quite expensive, particularly if you opt for express delivery.
You’ll also need to factor in the original Walmart domestic shipping fee to the US address, plus any handling fees charged by the forwarder. Some services offer cost calculators, so you can estimate your total shipping charge before committing to the order.
Does Walmart Ship to Other Countries?
Walmart’s international reach through its online store is limited. It does not offer direct shipping to most countries outside the US. Although Walmart operates stores in several countries like Mexico, Canada and Chile, these are run independently and not linked to the US Walmart.com ordering system.
For customers in regions without a dedicated Walmart site, parcel forwarding remains the only real option.
Walmart’s Important Shipping Information
When using a forwarding service, there are a few important details to keep in mind. Walmart may not always accept international payment methods or non-US billing addresses, so you might encounter issues depending on your bank. Some shoppers find success by using PayPal or virtual US cards.
You must also make sure the forwarding address is entered correctly, using the exact format given by your chosen provider. If the information isn’t right, your parcel might be delayed or rejected.
What Are the Import Duties as a UK Customer?
Ordering from Walmart and shipping to the UK can mean paying additional costs when your parcel arrives. The most common charge is import VAT, which applies to goods valued above £135. On top of that, customs duties might apply depending on the product category, and the courier may also charge a handling fee to process the customs paperwork.
These charges are usually collected before or upon delivery. It’s important to factor them into your budget so the total cost doesn’t come as a surprise.
Is There a Restriction on Certain Goods?
Not every product on Walmart’s site can be shipped internationally, even with a forwarding service. Items like flammable materials, some electronics with lithium batteries, food, medical products and large or fragile goods may be restricted. Each parcel forwarding company has its own list of prohibited items, so it’s worth checking before placing your order.
If the item is rejected by the forwarder due to restrictions, you may face delays or have to arrange a return.
What Is the Returns Policy and Return Shipping Costs?
Walmart’s standard return policy is quite generous, with windows ranging from 30 to 90 days depending on the item. However, returning items from the UK can be complicated and expensive. You’ll need to ship the parcel back to the forwarding warehouse in the US first, then cover the cost of sending it to Walmart. In most cases, this cost will exceed the value of the item, especially for smaller orders.
If the item is faulty or incorrect, you may still be eligible for a refund, but you’ll need to go through the original ordering platform and potentially provide proof of the issue.
Can I Track My International Order?
Yes, once the parcel leaves the forwarding warehouse, you’ll receive a tracking number from the international courier. This allows you to follow the parcel’s journey from the US to your address in the UK. Most parcel forwarding services also offer updates through their website or app, so you can stay informed about each stage of the delivery process.
Keep in mind that tracking may pause during customs clearance or when changing courier hands, but it typically resumes once the parcel enters the UK system.
What Happens If My Package Is Delayed or Lost?
Delays can happen for various reasons, including customs checks, weather disruptions, and courier backlogs. If your package is delayed, check the tracking status regularly. For parcels that go missing, you’ll need to contact either the forwarding company or the courier handling the final delivery. Most services offer limited insurance or the option to add coverage when booking.
For high-value items, it’s always worth insuring your parcel just in case anything goes wrong during international transit.
Can I Change or Cancel My International Order?
Once you’ve placed a Walmart order and it’s been delivered to the forwarding company, cancelling or editing the order becomes difficult. If the item hasn’t shipped from the warehouse yet, you might be able to pause or redirect it within the forwarder’s platform. But if the parcel is already in transit, you’ll likely have to wait for delivery and then arrange a return if needed.
Changing the order after purchase is usually not possible through Walmart directly unless the item is delayed or out of stock.
Additional Information about does Walmart ship to UK
Walmart Global Marketplace
Walmart has been expanding its Global Marketplace, which allows international sellers to list products on Walmart.com. However, this marketplace expansion is aimed at letting sellers sell to the US, not the other way around. This distinction is important — some shoppers mistakenly think the global focus means Walmart ships globally, when it’s actually still US-centric.
Alternative Access via Third-Party Platforms
Some Walmart-exclusive brands or products might be available on eBay, Amazon UK, or import specialist sites. This can be a good option for UK shoppers who want access to Walmart goods without dealing with international forwarding or customs fees. While the prices may be slightly higher, the convenience and lower risk can be worth it.
Walmart’s Relationship with Asda (Past and Present)
Some UK customers associate Walmart with Asda, which it owned from 1999 until 2021. However, since selling its majority stake, Walmart has no retail presence or operational link to Asda anymore. Clarifying this helps avoid confusion for people who think Walmart and Asda are still connected in terms of product access or delivery.
Digital Content Restrictions
It’s worth noting that digital goods and services sold by Walmart (like downloadable movies, gift cards or subscription codes) often cannot be purchased from the UK. These are geo-restricted and tied to US accounts or payment methods. This is another limitation for international customers to be aware of.
Currency and Pricing Tips
Walmart's prices are listed in USD. For UK shoppers, this means fluctuations in exchange rates can affect what you end up paying — especially when factoring in shipping, VAT, and duties. Including a note about using a currency conversion tool before purchasing can help shoppers make informed decisions.
Tip on Combining Orders
Some forwarding services let customers combine multiple Walmart orders into one parcel, which can help reduce overall shipping costs. This is useful if you're buying several small items and want to make the forwarding process more cost-effective.
Customer Reviews and Trustworthiness
Many UK shoppers worry about using third-party forwarders. You could briefly mention that services like MyUS, Stackry and Forward2Me have been used for years by international buyers and generally have strong reputations — but users should still check reviews, especially regarding handling fees, repackaging options, and delivery times.
Summary
Walmart does not ship directly to the UK, but shoppers can still access its wide product range through parcel forwarding services. While this method allows UK customers to enjoy American-exclusive products, it comes with added costs, longer delivery times and limited return options. By understanding customs duties, tracking, shipping prices and product restrictions, you can decide whether ordering from Walmart is worth it for your specific purchase.