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*Based on real prices from thousands of Konnect You users.
Moving to the USA requires assistance from a professional removal company. Through our trusted network, you could save up to 70% on your international removal costs to reduce the stress of moving house.
Over 1.3 million UK citizens now live in the USA, making it the second most popular destination for British expats. Whether you’re headed to New York, Los Angeles or Houston, Konnect You will find you the best price and unbeatable service by matching you with up to 6 international moving companies in your local area.
Once you’ve completed our online form, we will connect you with the very best companies specialising in home moves from the UK to the US.
Before moving to the USA, it is worth deciding how your belongings are likely to travel. Most UK-to-USA moves rely on sea freight for larger shipments, while air freight can work for smaller items that need to arrive quickly.
The main shipping options are:
The right option depends on your budget, load size and how quickly you need your belongings. A full household move will usually need a different approach to a few boxes or urgent personal items.
Your removal company can explain the best route, likely delivery time and what customs paperwork you need before your belongings leave the UK.
Sea freight is usually the most practical option for larger moves to the USA. It gives you space for furniture, boxes and household goods, with the choice of a full container or shared container depending on how much you are moving.
A 20ft container can suit many smaller household moves, while a 40ft container gives more space for larger homes or heavier shipments. Your removal company can advise which size makes sense once they know what you are taking.
You may also be able to use a shared container if you do not need the full space. This can help keep costs lower, although timings may be less flexible because your shipment travels with other loads.
Sea freight can offer better value for larger shipments, but delivery times depend on the departure port, arrival port, shipping schedule, customs clearance and final delivery address.
Road freight will usually form part of your move at both ends of the journey. Your belongings may be collected by road in the UK, taken to the departure port, then delivered by road from the US arrival port to your new home.
The USA is a large country, so the final delivery route can affect your overall cost and timing. A move to New York may look very different from a move to California, Texas or the Pacific Northwest.
Access at your new property can also affect the move. Apartment buildings, parking restrictions, gated communities, rural locations and long carrying distances may change the vehicle, equipment or delivery plan.
Your removal company should explain the full route before you book, including port handling, customs clearance and final delivery.
Part-load removals can be a good option if you are not moving enough belongings to fill a full container. Your items share container space with other shipments heading to the USA, so you only pay for the space you need.
This can make the move better value than booking a full container, especially if you are moving boxes, smaller furniture or the contents of a smaller home.
The trade-off is timing. Part-load moves can take longer because your shipment may need to wait until there is enough space booked on the same route. Delivery can also depend on other collections, port handling and customs clearance.
Before booking, ask how your items will be labelled, packed and separated from other shipments. A trusted removal company should explain how they protect your belongings throughout the journey.
Air freight is usually the fastest way to send belongings to the USA. It can work well for important documents, clothing, work equipment or essential personal items that you need soon after arrival.
The main drawback is cost. Air freight is priced by weight and volume, so it is usually too expensive for furniture or a full household move. There may also be restrictions on what you can send.
For most people, air freight works best alongside sea freight. You can send urgent items ahead while the rest of your belongings travel by container.
A trusted international removal company can help you decide whether air freight is worth the extra cost for the items you need to move.
The cost of shipping furniture to the USA depends on several factors, including:
Here are the average shipping container costs currently shown on the USA removals page:
| Container type | 20ft container | 40ft container |
|---|---|---|
| Full container | £4,109 | £6,080 |
| Shared container | £1,027 | £1,520 |
A full container can give you more space and control, while a shared container may offer better value if you are moving a smaller shipment. Air freight is quicker, but it is usually not cost-effective for furniture or a full home move.
Before choosing a company, ask what is included in the price. Check whether packing, loading, port handling, customs support, delivery and specialist handling are included, or whether they cost extra.
You can also read our guide to international removal costs for more detail on what affects the price.
Having the right documents ready can help avoid delays when your belongings are shipped to the USA. Your removal company should explain what is needed for your shipment before it leaves the UK.
You may be asked for:
US Customs and Border Protection says CBP Form 3299 must be completed if you are not travelling with your goods. It also says a full inventory can be treated as the packing list and must be provided on request.
Visa requirements depend on why you are moving to the USA. The U.S. Embassy in the UK explains that immigrant visas are for foreign nationals who intend to live and work permanently in the United States.
If you are bringing a pet, check the latest rules before you travel. The USDA APHIS pet travel guidance is a useful starting point, and the CDC dog import guidance explains that dog entry requirements depend on vaccination status and where the dog has been in the six months before entry.
A trusted international removal company can help you understand the paperwork for your belongings. Visa, immigration, tax, vehicle import and pet travel requirements should always be checked with the relevant authorities.
