Moving from the USA to the UK? We can help you plan your household shipment around your destination, customs requirements, shipping method and delivery needs.
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Across the Atlantic
Moving your belongings from the USA to the UK involves more than booking a shipping service. Before your shipment leaves, you need to know what can be imported, whether you qualify for UK transfer of residence relief, what documentation your mover will need, and how your belongings will reach your new home after arriving at the port.
We provide household goods shipping services from the USA to the UK for individuals, families, students, professionals, and returning UK residents. We can arrange packing, custom crating, ocean or air freight, customs coordination, storage, and delivery to your UK residence.
One coordinated move
Packing, freight, UK customs and delivery to your new home.
Before you ship
Moving household goods from the USA to the UK involves more than packing your belongings and arranging international freight. Your eligibility for Transfer of Residence relief, the contents of your shipment, and the documentation provided to customs can all affect the import process.
We can help you organize your household inventory, prepare the information needed for your customs declaration, and coordinate the clearance process once your shipment reaches the UK.
If you’re transferring your normal residence to Great Britain, you may be able to import qualifying personal belongings without paying import duty and charges. Eligibility generally requires that you have lived outside the UK for at least 12 consecutive months and owned and used the goods for at least six months.
You need to apply for a Transfer of Residence (ToR1) reference before your shipment is imported when claiming the relief. We’ll need your reference and the relevant shipment details to prepare the customs declaration.
Qualifying belongings generally need to be imported within 12 months of establishing your new normal residence in Great Britain. Planning your shipment around this timeframe can help you avoid unnecessary customs costs.
If you don’t meet the conditions for Transfer of Residence relief, your belongings may be subject to UK Customs Duty and VAT depending on the goods and circumstances. We’ll help you understand the information required for your shipment so the appropriate customs process can be followed.
Your inventory should clearly identify what you’re sending rather than simply describing everything as household goods. Include furniture, appliances, electronics, clothing, artwork, personal effects and other belongings so customs can accurately assess the shipment.
Certain goods may be restricted or prohibited from entering the UK, including some food and plant products, firearms, controlled drugs and other regulated items. Identifying these items before packing can help prevent delays or additional costs during the import process.
From home to destination
A clear, coordinated process keeps every stage visible and helps reduce uncertainty throughout your relocation.
Share your route, timing and move size.
Review inventory and special items.
Choose services and coverage.
Prepare and load belongings securely.
Coordinate freight and paperwork.
Complete final or inside delivery.
Flexible shipping choices
The right freight option depends on how much you're shipping and when you need your belongings to arrive. We can also combine methods when that makes more sense for your relocation.
Full households
Ocean freight is well suited to larger household shipments containing furniture, appliances and personal belongings. Depending on the amount you’re taking, we can arrange shared-container or dedicated-container shipping.
Fastest option
Air freight provides a faster option when you need selected belongings to reach the UK sooner. It can be useful for smaller shipments or essential items you need soon after arriving.
Most flexible
You don’t have to send everything using the same method. Larger household goods can travel by ocean while essential or time-sensitive belongings are shipped by air, giving you more flexibility around your move and arrival date.
Plan your budget
The cost of shipping household goods to the UK can vary depending on the size of your shipment, origin, destination, packing requirements, and shipping method. The estimates below can give you a general idea of what an international move may cost based on typical shipment sizes and destinations.
| Bedrooms | Volume (Cubic Feet) | Standard Price Range | Price with Full Packing Services (+20%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Without Furniture | |||
| 1 BedroomWithout Furniture | 200 | $3,400 – $3,700 | $4,080 – $4,440 |
| 2 BedroomsWithout Furniture | 350 | $4,200 – $4,600 | $5,040 – $5,520 |
| 3 BedroomsWithout Furniture | 500 | $5,700 – $6,300 | $6,840 – $7,560 |
| 4 BedroomsWithout Furniture | 650 | $7,000 – $8,500 | $8,400 – $10,200 |
| 5 BedroomsWithout Furniture | 800 | $7,100 – $8,600 | $8,520 – $10,320 |
| With Furniture | |||
| 1 BedroomWith Furniture | 600 | $6,400 – $7,300 | $7,680 – $8,760 |
| 2 BedroomsWith Furniture | 900 | $7,400 – $8,800 | $8,880 – $10,560 |
| 3 BedroomsWith Furniture | 1,500 | $10,000 – $11,900 | $12,000 – $14,280 |
| 4 BedroomsWith Furniture | 2,000 | $10,200 – $12,100 | $12,240 – $14,520 |
| 5 BedroomsWith Furniture | 2,500 | $11,000 – $12,900 | $13,200 – $15,480 |
Please note that the prices above are provided as a guideline only. Your actual moving cost may be higher or lower depending on the specific details of your shipment.
For a more accurate estimate, we strongly recommend scheduling a free pre-move survey. This allows us to assess your belongings, discuss your moving requirements, and provide pricing based on your individual relocation.
Arrival and delivery
Your belongings from the USA may enter the UK through different ports depending on the shipping route, available service, and your final destination. Tilbury, Felixstowe and Southampton are among the UK port options relevant to international container shipping.
The Port of Felixstowe is the UK’s largest container port and has extensive container-handling and inland transport connections. The Port of Southampton is home to the UK’s second-largest container terminal and has established road and rail connections into the UK.
You do not necessarily need to choose the port yourself. Your shipment can be routed based on the available freight service, origin, destination, and arrangements for getting your belongings from the UK port to your new home.
Arriving at a UK port is only one stage of the relocation.
Experienced support matters
When comparing the best international movers from the USA to the UK, look beyond the ocean shipment itself. A full-service mover should be able to help with packing, freight, customs documentation, storage, and delivery.
We provide comprehensive international relocation services, including professional packing, custom crating, ocean and air freight, household goods shipping, customs support, storage, and inside delivery. We are licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), and we are a proud member of the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA).
Customers comparing international movers from USA to Europe can also benefit from choosing a company that understands destination-specific customs requirements rather than treating every European move the same way.
Yes. Once your shipment has cleared customs, we can arrange transportation from the UK port to your residence. Our door-to-door international moving service can continue through to delivery at your new home, with inside delivery available depending on the destination and access requirements.
The port used for your shipment depends on the ocean service, routing and destination arrangements. Tilbury, Felixstowe and Southampton are among the UK ports through which international container shipments can enter. We can arrange the transportation from the appropriate port and coordinate the next stage of your move rather than requiring you to collect your belongings yourself.
We will need information about the belongings being shipped, including a detailed inventory. If you’re claiming Transfer of Residence relief, we’ll also need your approved ToR reference for the customs declaration. The inventory can group similar belongings together rather than requiring every individual item to be listed.
If you’re moving your normal residence to Great Britain, you may be eligible for Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief from import duty and taxes on qualifying personal belongings. You need to apply for a ToR1 and receive approval before your goods are imported. We can use your ToR reference when preparing the customs declaration for your shipment.
We coordinate the different stages of your relocation through our network of 600+ agents worldwide. This helps us connect your move from pickup in the USA with the services needed at your UK destination, including customs coordination, transportation, and final delivery. You have one international moving plan while our global network helps manage the move across borders.
Continue planning your relocation
Explore country-specific information about shipping, customs and preparing for your new destination.
From a few essential belongings to the contents of an entire household, we can build your UK relocation around your shipment, destination and timeline. We can also help you understand the documentation required before your goods leave the USA.
Request your free international moving quote today and receive a response within 24 hours.
