Shipping to America from UK: The Complete Guide

Cost is the first question most people ask, and the honest answer is that it depends on volume, weight, service type, and destination state.

Here is a realistic breakdown to help you budget.

For small parcels and boxes up to 30 kg, air freight typically costs between £8 and £25 per kilogram.

A 10 kg parcel shipped by air might cost £80 to £250 all-in, depending on the carrier and speed of service.

For groupage sea freight, prices are usually quoted per cubic metre (CBM).

Expect to pay £120 to £250 per CBM for a shared container service from the UK to a major US port such as New York, Los Angeles, or Miami. A typical two-bedroom flat worth of household goods occupies around 15 to 20 CBM, putting the sea freight element at roughly £1,800 to £5,000.

A full 20-foot container (FCL) costs between £1,500 and £3,000 for the sea freight itself.

A 40-foot container runs £2,000 to £4,500. These prices do not include UK collection, origin handling, destination port charges, customs brokerage, or US delivery.

US destination charges, sometimes called destination port fees or terminal handling charges, typically add £200 to £600 per shipment.

Customs brokerage in the US adds another £100 to £300. If you need delivery to a residential address rather than a port, US trucking costs a further £200 to £800 depending on distance from the port.

Always ask for a total landed cost quote so you can compare providers on a like-for-like basis.

Call Giant Van on for a full breakdown with no hidden charges.

UK residents sending goods to America face a handful of practical considerations that domestic shippers do not encounter.

Export from the UK.

Since Brexit, all goods leaving the UK for non-EU destinations, including the USA, require a UK export declaration. For personal effects and household goods, this is usually handled by your shipping company as part of the service. For commercial goods, an EORI number (Economic Operator Registration and Identification) is required. Giant Van handles all UK customs export requirements as part of our service.

US import duties and taxes.

Most personal effects and household goods that have been owned and used for over 12 months qualify for duty-free entry under US Customs regulations. New goods or commercial shipments are subject to US import duties, which vary by HS code and typically range from 0% to 25%. Your customs broker will calculate the correct duty before entry is filed.

Insurance in transit.

UK home contents insurance policies rarely extend to international transit. A dedicated marine cargo policy is worth arranging before your goods leave the UK, particularly for electronics, antiques, or furniture.

Currency and payment.

Most UK-to-US shipping providers quote in sterling for the UK leg and may quote in US dollars for US charges. Ask for a total sterling cost so you can budget accurately without worrying about exchange rate fluctuations.

US state regulations.

Some US states have additional rules around importing certain goods, particularly wood products, soil, and live plants. California in particular has strict agricultural inspection rules at the port of Los Angeles. Your shipping provider should advise you on state-specific requirements relevant to your destination.