Moving To England

Your Peace of Mind, Is Our Priority

Customs Regulations for England

Valid passport
Visa (may be required)
Work permit (if necessary)
Customs Form (Import Declaration)
- Two fully completed originals need to be provided to a Customs agent
C-3 Form (household goods and personal effects for primary residence)
- This form is required to clear household goods and only original forms with original ink signatures will be accepted
C-33 Form (household goods and personal effects for secondary residence)
Detailed Inventory of household goods and personal effects in English
- Two copies, valued, dated and signed by the Customer
C426 Form (for diplomatic entry)

All household goods and personal effects must arrive within 12 months after Customer or up to six months before Customer’s arrival in order to clear Customs
- These items should come accompanied with a C-3 or C-33 Form
- Detailed inventory of goods and household effects must also be included
Special regulations are given to the following and therefore specific information must be obtained by the Customer directly from the Embassy or Consulate for and by:
- Students
- Newlyweds and those who plan to marry shortly
- Visitors
- Customers with goods coming from EU countries
- Customers with personal antiques or other inheritances not meant for resale

In England, some articles may not be imported whatsoever. These items include, but may not be limited to:

Illegal drugs
Flick knives (AKA switchblades) and gravity knives
All handguns other than certain .22 caliber target pistols
Chemical sprays used for self-defence purposes such as pepper and CS gas sprays
Stun guns
Pornographic material
Horror comics
Drugs and other narcotics
Counterfeit currency
Meat, poultry, fish and other animal products (if traveling from a country not in the EU)
Trees, plants, shrubs, seeds, bulbs, soil, potatoes and other vegetables and fruits (if traveling from a country not in the EU)
Products created from remains of protected/endangered animal and plant species
- Fur, skins, ivory, reptile leather, caviar, shells or products made from these items

Some articles may have restricted quantities or require special authorization/ payments of duties and taxes to clear customs in England. These items include, but are not limited to:

Firearms or realistic imitation firearms
Ammunition, explosives and fireworks
Weapons, including curved blades and swords which are longer than 50cms in length
New household goods and personal effects if they are less than six months old (invoice required)
Alcohol, tobacco and perfume products are dutiable and must be declared on your Customs Form (C-3 or C-33)
- Do not ship these items along with your household goods
- Importation of these items can result in a full inspection of your entire shipment
Plants require a Phytosanitary Certificate
Rough diamonds
Certain radio transmitters
- CB radios, walkie-talkie, cordless telephones, etc.
Certain animal products are allowed if not for commercial use:
- Fur, skin and products made from the fur of harp and hooded seal pups
- Products made from dog and cat fur
- Finished goods containing specific fur for personal and private use

Customers moving to England for the first time may import vehicles (including trailers, boats and aircrafts) into the country if:

The owner is moving their primary residence to England
Customer living outside the European Union (EU) has been abroad for at least twelve months
Vehicle has been owned and used abroad by Customer for at least six months
It was not purchased duty-free or tax-free
The vehicle is for personal use only and will not be sold within a year of being imported
A Declaration to Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise must specify:
- Manufacture date, make, model name, serial number, chassis number and engine number
- Cubic engine capacity and number of cylinders
- Whether it is petrol or diesel and left or right hand drive
- Description of the body, the price and the odometer reading
- Any extra or special features
  - Such as automatic transmission
- Any defects in the vehicle that would affect its price
Customer’s presence at Customs Clearance may be required

You will need the following documents:

Registration papers and title
Policy certificate or registration
Insurance policy
Original purchase invoice
Log book
Customs Form C104A (importing vehicle in connection with moving main residence to the United Kingdom)
Customs Form C104F (importing vehicle for a 6-12 month period)
Customs Form C384 (importing vehicle when duty is applicable)
Community Transit Document T2 (can be found in the country your vehicle is being exported from)

When importing a pet to England, the requirements are:

A microchip
Proof of rabies vaccination
Pet passport or third country official veterinary certificate
Proof of tapeworm treatment (for dogs only)
Use of an authorized carrier by an approved route
A blood test taken at least 30 days after rabies vaccination (only if you are traveling from an unlisted country)
- Must wait three months from the date of the blood sample before traveling
- Vet must be given copy of test results
- Blood test must show that the vaccination was successful
Customs Form C-5
Six months in quarantine in a government-approved facility for all dogs and cats
- Due to limited space in the quarantine kennel, this time must be booked before you import your pet
Import license (not granted until other requirements have been met and six months in quarantine have been scheduled)
There are no restrictions on pet rodents, rabbits, birds, decorative fish, invertebrates, amphibians and reptiles when arriving from EU countries
- Rabbits and rodents from countries outside the EU must spend four months in quarantine and have a rabies import license

Rules for household goods and person effects that are duty-free vary based on the following:

Customers moving their principal home or returning to England:
- Goods have been for Customer’s personal use for at least six months before being imported
- Customer is able to prove that duty and tax have already been paid before arrival
- Items are declared on the C-3 Form
Customers coming from outside the European Union:
- Have lived at least 12 months abroad
- Will not sell, loan out or dispose of household goods within 12 months of being imported (unless Customs authority allows it)
Customer is setting up a secondary household in England
Customers living in another European Union country:
- Customer owns a secondary home in England or will be renting one for a minimum of 12 months
- Items have been owned by Customer three months before being imported and will not be sold for up to twelve months after
- Customer can provide proof that duty and tax have already been paid on items
- Items are declared on the C-3 Form
Customer is living outside the EU (items can be duty-free but not VAT free):
- Customer has lived for at least 12 months outside of the EU
- Customer owns a secondary home in England or is renting one for 24 months minimum
- Goods have been owned and used for personal use for at least six months before importation
- Items and effects will not be sold, lent out or disposed of within 12 months of being imported (unless Customs authority allows it)
- Customer can provide proof that duty and tax have already been paid on items
- Items are declared on the C-33 Form
Importation of the majority of private vehicles are duty-free assuming:
- The owner of the vehicle is moving their primary residence to England
- Customers living outside of EU countries have been abroad for more than 12 months
- The vehicle has been owned and used abroad by the Customer for a minimum of six months
- Said vehicle was not purchased duty or tax-free
- It is for personal use and will not be resold within a year of being imported

NOTE – Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, International sea & air shipping cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.

Call our International Moving Specialists @ 1 (866) 788-1090

How International Sea & Air Shipping can help for moving to England

At International Sea & Air Shipping, we offer range of services; we specialize in overseas moving; including shipping personal effects and household goods, export packing and crating, and shipping internationally, cars and boats. Whether you’re relocating from the USA for London, Manchester, Cambridge, Liverpool or any other major city or town in England, you can count on our dedicated teams of professionals to handle everything smoothly and professionally, from beginning to end.

At International Sea & Air Shipping, our moving specialists will assist you with every aspect of planning your move. Find out more about all our available moving services and options to decide what best suits your needs based on certain criteria:

Your moving timeline. When do you need to be in United Kingdom? Should you ship your goods via air or sea freight?
Your real estate plans. Will you be renting or buying?
Your fragile items. Do you require custom crating services?
Cubic feet estimate. How large is your shipment?
Your family/household size. Are you moving alone or with family? For business or personal reasons?

How Much Does It Cost to Move to England?

Schedule a home survey to receive an accurate estimate to ship your goods. One of our moving specialists will visit your home, assess your belongings and provide you with a free quote for your desired services. The cost will vary based on the cubic footage of your shipment, the method of shipping (air vs. sea freight) the services you require (packing and custom crating), and many other factors.

The process of shipping to England takes 4-6 weeks depend on the size of your shipment and the origin. Our employees will pack your household goods and personal belongings in seaworthy packaging, after which they will be transported by sea, while small consignments will be sent by air. We will visit you at your home and will discuss with you what is required in order to move to England. We will draw up a detailed inventory and will explain to you the specific regulations for the customs clearance of your belongings, to ensure you are fully prepared for moving to England. By ensuring thorough preparations and by engaging reliable movers of International Sea & Air Shipping International Movers, we will ensure that you will have no surprises when moving to England.

About England

Part of the United Kingdom (alongside Scotland, Wales and north-eastern parts of Ireland), England, which includes the Isle of Wight and the Isles of Scilly along with 100 other smaller islands, is bordered by the Celtic Sea, the North Sea and the English Channel which separate England from continental Europe.

Taking its name from a Germanic tribe (the Angles) who settled there in the 5th and 6th centuries, England (meaning “land of the Angles”) has created the English language, the Anglican church and English law – the basis for all common law in many countries around the world, including the United States. England was also the world’s first industrialized nation, thanks in large part to the Industrial Revolution which began in England in the 18th century.

The English capital of London (formerly Winchester until the 12th century) is the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom and one of the busiest cities in the world, with the City of London being the world’s largest financial center. London’s Heathrow Airport also boasts the most international passengers of any other airport.

Can’t wait to get started with your overseas relocation to England? First, find out what you’ll need to clear Customs.

International Moving to England from the United States and Back

Are you planning a move to England? International moves require thorough research, preparation, and qualified overseas shippers to ensure your goods arrive safely in your new country. Before you do anything, let International Sea & Air Shipping assist you with the logistics of relocating to England.

International Sea & Air Shipping is an international moving company offering door-to-door moving and relocation services worldwide. As a leader among international moving companies, we’re proud to provide full container service and lift van services both to and from the USA with complete documentation, custom assistance, insurance, shipping, storage and inland transportation. If you’re relocating your household in an overseas move, we’re here to help. International Sea & Air Shipping is an international removal company you can trust to simplify your move.

“International Sea and Air Shipping was helpful at every turn. They delivered boxes for things we wanted to pack; they were on time with the packing date; the personnel were courteous, careful and efficient, and when we asked for assistance and clarification with one or two things in the course of the move, they were unfailingly helpful. We had a couple of minor things damaged, but with a move of this size that could be expected. Certainly, it was not because things were not packed carefully. All in all, they met our expectations and I would recommend them to anyone undertaking a move abroad.”