Moving To Wales From The USA
Get a Free Moving Quote Now!
Start Your International Moving Journey
The United Kingdom is among the popular destinations for the US expats to relocate. Also, many expats prefer relocating to Wales if they are planning to move internationally. An overseas move can be a complicated process and doesn’t only involve hiring an international moving company, but there are numerous other things you will need to do. Collecting information about such tasks can be challenging, but with a good understanding of this guide, things will be much simpler for you, and you can relocate internationally without much difficulty and stress.
Wales is located on the island of Great Britain within the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England on the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west and the Bristol Channel to the south. The country is generally mountainous with peaks in the north and central areas including its highest summit, Snowden, but it also has more than 1,680 miles of coastline.
A wide variety of sea birds call Wales home because of its long coastline. On land, shrews, voles and badgers take up permanent residence in the country along with otters, weasels and goats, among other animals.
The UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Wales are The Castles and Town Walls of King Edward I in Gwynedd, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, and the Blaenavon Industrial Landscape. With its own languages, customs and festivals, Wales has a distinctive culture.
Though it was once an agricultural country, Wales has developed significantly to industrial and now a post-industrial economy. Large numbers of tourists, who play a vital role in the economic development of the country, are attracted to the country’s landscape, including three national parks and 45 Blue Flag beaches.
Customs Regulations for Wales
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
*NOTE: DOCUMENTS AND CUSTOMS REGULATIONS VARY ACCORDING TO THE NATIONALITY OF THE CUSTOMER. ALL SHIPMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO INSPECTION.
Used household goods are tax and duty-free if:
- The client is moving or retuning to the EC (European Community) after living outside the EC for 12 continuous months
- The goods have been in the customer’s possession and use outside of the EC for at least 6 months prior to importation
- Items may be imported up to 6 months in advance of the transfer of residence and no later than 12 months after the customer’s arrival
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
- Passport – including photo page
- Customs Form C3 – original, signed in ink for ocean shipments. Faxed copies are acceptable for air shipments
- Bill of Lading/Air Waybill
- Comprehensive packing list and valued inventory – two copies, signed and dated
- Work permit
- Keys to any locked items
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
- CUSTOMER MUST BE IN WALES AT THE TIME OF CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
- Used household goods and personal effects are duty-free, in suitable quantities, if:
- Goods have been owned and used by Customer abroad and not to be re-sold for at least six months
- Customer has lived abroad for over 12 months and intends to settle in Wales
- Goods must not be imported for commercial use
DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS
- Firearms – hunting rifles, ammunitions require a license
- Radio transmitters
- Endangered species including birds and plants, alive or dead, and goods made from them
- Plants and their produce – trees, shrubs, bulbs and seeds
- Alcohol, tobacco and perfume – incurs duty and excise tax of 10-20% and VAT of 20% must be declared on Customs C3 Form
- Wedding gifts – are eligible for duty-free importation if the items are intended for the client and given by someone living outside the EC
- Client –
- a marriage certificate is required
- value of £800 per item maximum
- Alcohol or tobacco gifts are excluded
- Gifts can arrive 2 months prior to the wedding and 4 months afterward
- Client –
- Inheritance goods – require a C1241 Form and a copy of the will naming client as beneficiary
- Art and antiquities are duty-free if:
- Articles are part of a bona fide household removal or are more than 100 years old
- Articles have been in the use and possession of the owner for a minimum of one year
- Articles are not for dale or other disposal in the UK
- Owner must declare the age and value of the goods prior to importation and the date of manufacture must be produced
- Certificate of Antiquity should be supplied
- Precious metal objects may enter duty-free. Silverware is considered household goods
- Required Documents:
- Customs Form C88
- An Age Declaration
- Evidence of Age
PROHIBITED ITEMS
- Flick knives, swordsticks, knuckle-dusters, blowpipes, butterfly knives, death stars, spring-operated telescopic truncheons and some martial arts equipment
- Stun guns, electric shock batons and self-defense sprays
- Obscene materials – graphic horror comics, extreme violence
- Illicit drugs including: heroin, morphine, cocaine, cannabis, amphetamines, barbiturates and LSD
- Pornographic materials
- Food
MOTOR VEHICLE
Customer may be required to be present during customs clearance. One auto may be imported duty-free if owned and used abroad for six months Cannot be sold or otherwise disposed of for one year after date of importation
- Documents required:
- Passport (copy) proof of ownership outside the EC for at least 12 months, proof of insurance
- Original purchase invoice, vehicle registration & Certificate of Title, bill of lading
- Customs Form – please use applicable form:
- C104A – relocation of main residence or C104F – relocation for 6-12 months
- C384 Declaration if the vehicle is less than 6 months old
- C179B
- Community Transit document – T2; obtained from origin Customs office
- Declaration to HM Customs – specify make, model, year of manufacture, serial, engine & chassis numbers, cc engine capacity, fuel type, odometer reading, number of cylinders, left or right drive, transmission type, price and defects that may bring value down
PET REGULATIONS
Dogs, cats and ferrets traveling under the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) from mainland U.S. may enter the U.K. without quarantine. Pets arriving from non-approved countries are subject to a 6-month quarantine period.
Documents required:
- Certificate of Vaccination – including rabies and tapeworm treatment: Blood draw sample taken 15-30 days after vaccination to verify vaccines have been effective
- Health Certificate – dated less than 30 days prior to arrival
- Proof of microchip
- Import Permit – if arriving from non-approved countries
- Customs Form C5 for each pet, with the pet’s purchase price or the cost of buying another pet of the same breed, age and condition
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) 315-4170
Tips to move Wales from the US
If you have decided to relocate to Wales, your priority should be to create an international moving checklist. Moving internationally will require you to complete numerous tasks before the moving day. Read on to know more:
- Hire a reputable international moving company that will help you complete the more complex parts of your entire process.
- Choose among the various leading towns and cities in Wales and decide which one would be more suitable for you to relocate.
- Create a moving budget and ensure that you have set aside a few months’ savings to meet your needs soon after you relocate to the new destination.
- Conduct sufficient research to understand the residency requirements for settling down in Wales.
- Choose what items you may want to move with you to Wales and de-clutter the rest. You may donate, sell, or discard items that you don’t want to move with you.
- Organize important items like your financial account, driving license, and mobile phone services before relocating to your new destination.
5 best cities to live in Wales
Llandudno
It’s the largest seaside resort town located in North Wales. It offers a complete package of donkey rides, pier, Judy, and Punch. On every May Bank holiday, there will be a Victorian Fair. So, there isn’t anything to dislike about this traditional seaside town.
Wrexham
It’s the biggest town in North Wales and is home to many historical sites. This includes the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct which is famous as the World Heritage site. You will find many nearby places that you can visit. Also, there are good roads to Northwest and North Wales. In this historic town, you will find the biggest open-air market in Wales and quaint shops.
Cardiff
It is the capital city of Wales which has a university and is a major tourist attraction in its way. Approximately a third of the population in Wales lives in Cardiff, where the weather is average with mostly sunshine, and less rainfall as compared to other places in this country.
Newport
It’s a city that you can walk across in around 10 minutes, however, it has an outstanding road network as compared to the other places in Wales. The accommodation cost here is less and there are various music, sports and historical venues to visit.
Llandrindod Wells
This town is in Powys and has been famous since the Victorian Age as a Spa town. The Chalybeate Spring is still a major source of attraction in this town as people visit Rock Park to try out its water. If architecture interests you, then you will have plenty of things to see including the buildings of the Victorian Age to those from the era of Art Deco.
Important paperwork to be done before moving to Wales from US
Before you hire an international moving company that will help you relocate to Wales, you must complete the relevant documentation. You must apply for a proper work permit or a visa if you plan to settle down for a long term in this country. Alternatively, if you plan to stay there for 6 months or less, you don’t need any paperwork except for having a valid passport in hand.
Here are a few types of visas for which you can apply:
- Student visa
- Standard visit visa
- Work Visa
- Innovation and startup visa
- Investment visa
The UK government offers an online test through which you find out what kind of visa you require and how you can apply for the same.
Tips to get Welsh citizenship
Obtaining Welsh citizenship will be a little challenging. The main purpose of moving overseas is to be a full-time member of the new society in the new country and live there without any limitations.
Here’s how the US citizens can relocate to Wales and become citizens:
- You must have been born in the United Kingdom.
- You must be a Commonwealth citizen.
- Either of your parent must be a British citizen.
- Your spouse must be a British citizen.
- You must have an indefinite leave to stay in the new country.
A brief guide for expats moving to Wales from US
Wales is a multicultural, diverse, and cosmopolitan place where you will meet different people with different backgrounds and lifestyles. Gradually, you will start loving their history as well as culture and won’t feel reluctant to hang a dragon flag on your doorstep. The people of this country are proud of their flag as well as their national animal, which is a dragon.
Also, you must start loving both rugby and football, as the people of this country do. But this won’t be difficult with a few pints of beer and joyful people around you.
Cost of living in Wales
The United Kingdom is one of the best countries where you can relocate, and it is one of the leading choices among Americans. The cost of living in Wales is comparatively less than the cost of living in Connecticut. You can expect to pay something around $1200 for a one-bedroom apartment in Hartford, and $890 for the same type of apartment in Cardiff.
Also, the consumer prices in this country are low, for instance, the consumer price in Cardiff will be around 27% less than the consumer price in London. In short, moving to Wales will be a good idea as far as the cost of living and housing options are concerned.
Healthcare system and schools in Wales
Wales is known to have two official languages, which include English and Welsh. So, if you want to fit into the lifestyle and culture of Wales, it’s recommended you know both these languages. Fortunately, learning a new language overseas will be much easier as compared to the difficulties you might have faced while trying to learn the same in the US. However, the Welsh language is spoken in many of the schools in Wales.
Thus, if you want your kids to study in a top-ranking elementary or high school, they should learn to speak both English and Welsh. Additionally, most of the neighborhoods and communities in Wales have good schools, so you won’t face issues in finding one, regardless of where you relocate.
If you are working in Wales both you and your family members will be entitled to get healthcare benefits.
How International Sea & Air can help for moving to Wales from US
Moving internationally will require you to make a lot of preparations, including relevant research as well as paperwork on your behalf. Moreover, you also need to handle the practical aspects of a relocation. You will need to search, shortlist, and finally hire a reliable international moving company that will reduce both your workload as well as stress to a considerable extent.
If you are planning to relocate your complete life to a country that is around 20% enveloped with National parks, you must avoid rushing with the moving process. You should try to enjoy the process and learn about the place you will relocate to. Once you feel you have gathered enough knowledge, you should go ahead and hire professional movers offering you packing services as well.
By hiring a professional moving company, you can avoid any customs-related issues because such companies will know what exactly you can bring with you and what not. While the movers will carry on with heavy lifting, you can invest time in exploring the history of the new country.
If you have only a few items for moving to Wales, you can consider shipping them by flight as this will only take a few days. It’s recommended to hire only those international moving companies that will offer you storage services as well. You may need a storage space for keeping your belongings until you find a new home in the new country.