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Buy British pounds before you land in the UK
Buy British pounds online from US First Exchange and arrive in London, Edinburgh or Belfast with cash ready to spend. We are a Los Angeles currency exchange registered with FinCEN, part of the US Treasury, as a Money Services Business. Choose your amount in the order form on this page and see your full price before you pay.
Ordering ahead usually costs less than changing money at the airport. Read alternatives to airport money exchange to compare.
How much cash do you need in the UK?
The UK is one of the most card-friendly countries in the world. Contactless payment works on London's buses and the Tube, in most shops, pubs and restaurants, and many businesses no longer take cash at all.
A modest amount of pounds is still useful for tips, small cafés, market stalls, taxis outside big cities and as a backup if a card is declined. Most travelers need less cash in the UK than in mainland Europe.
British pound banknotes at a glance
All Bank of England notes are now polymer. Notes showing Queen Elizabeth II and King Charles III are both legal tender. We source pounds as orders come in, so the exact mix of notes depends on availability at the time of your order.
| Note | Typical use |
|---|---|
| £5 | Coffee, snacks, tips |
| £10 | Meals, small purchases |
| £20 | The most common note for everyday spending |
| £50 | Larger payments; some small shops may refuse it |
Learn more in our comprehensive guide to the British pound.
How to buy British pounds online
- Choose your amount. Select British pound and enter how much you want. You can add other currencies to the same order.
- Pay securely. Pay by credit or debit card, e-check, check, cashier's check or money order.
- Verify your identity. Upload a valid US government-issued ID, as federal rules require.
- Receive your delivery. Choose FedEx 2Day or Overnight and track your package.
See the full process on how it works.
Payment and delivery
Pay by credit or debit card, e-check, check, cashier's check or money order. We do not accept bank wire, ACH or PayPal payments.
| Payment method | Time to clear |
|---|---|
| Credit or debit card | Up to 72 business hours |
| Check, e-check, cashier's check or money order | Up to 7 business days from the day payment is received and processed |
Check payments take longer because of our due diligence checks. Once your payment clears, your order ships by FedEx with full-value insurance and tracking.
| Shipping option | Cost |
|---|---|
| FedEx 2Day | $24 |
| FedEx Overnight | $34 |
| Orders of $5,000 or more | Free |
An adult (18+) must sign for the package. We deliver to every U.S. state except Texas, Illinois, Washington and New Mexico; Alaska and Hawaii are treated as international deliveries.
Because we source pounds to order, allow a little extra time and order well before your trip.
Why buy pounds from US First Exchange
- Verified notes checked on De La Rue verification machines before they ship.
- Fully insured FedEx delivery, free on orders of $5,000 or more.
- Rate locked at checkout, so the price you see is the price you pay.
- Registered and compliant. We are registered with FinCEN, part of the US Treasury, as a Money Services Business and follow federal know-your-customer rules. Read our compliance statement.
- A real US business. Our office is at 550 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013. We serve customers by mail and phone; there is no walk-in counter.
- People who pick up the phone. Call 310-982-1743, 10am–5pm Pacific Time.
- Sell back leftovers. Home with pounds to spare? Sell British pounds for US dollars.
Visiting more than one country? See every currency on our buy foreign currency page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get British pounds delivered?
Your order ships once your payment clears and your notes are sourced: card payments clear in up to 72 business hours, check payments in up to 7 business days. Order well before you fly.
Which pound notes will I receive?
Current polymer Bank of England notes. We source pounds to order, so the mix of notes depends on availability at the time of your order.
Are Queen Elizabeth II notes still valid?
Yes. Bank of England polymer notes showing Queen Elizabeth II remain legal tender alongside the King Charles III notes.
How much is shipping?
FedEx 2Day costs $24 and FedEx Overnight costs $34. Shipping is free on orders of $5,000 or more.
Is there a minimum order?
There is no minimum order. Larger orders need extra identity verification, and government reporting rules may apply.
Can I buy British pounds with a credit card?
Yes. We accept Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards. Your card issuer may treat the purchase as a cash advance, so check with them first.
Do you accept wire transfers, ACH or PayPal?
No. We accept credit and debit cards, e-checks, checks, cashier's checks and money orders.
Do I need to be home to receive my order?
Yes. An adult aged 18 or over must sign for the package at the address on your order.
Can I return British pounds?
All sales are final and currency cannot be returned. You can sell it back to us later at our posted buyback rate.