Shipping to USA
Planning to move to America from the UK takes real preparation — customs paperwork, shipping timelines, and packing standards all differ from domestic moves.
Moving to America from the UK costs from £1,500 for a small shared container shipment to £7,500+ for a full 40ft container. Transit by sea takes 14 to 35 days depending on the US port.
Giant Van handles packing, customs paperwork, and door-to-door delivery — insured throughout.
- £500Transit Insurance
- Same DayAvailability
When You Need International Removals to USA, We Deliver
If you need Removals to Usa, moving to the United States from the UK is not simply loading a van and sailing west.
US Customs and Border Protection requires a detailed inventory of every item being imported.
You'll need proof of residency or visa status, and certain goods — food, plants, firearms, alcohol — face strict import controls or outright bans.
Shipping typically travels by sea freight in a 20ft or 40ft container, with transit times running 14 to 28 days depending on the US port of entry.
East Coast destinations (New York, Boston, Miami) tend to arrive faster than West Coast ports like Los Angeles or Seattle.
Giant Van works with vetted freight partners to handle the logistics from your UK address to your new US front door.
Shipping to USA Prices
Transparent pricing for shipping to usa. Your quote is fixed before you book.
Prices vary by volume, destination, and customs requirements. Get an exact quote for your move.
Work Out Your Moving CostAccess and Delivery Planning for International Removals to USA
For Shipping from England to Usa, most household goods travel without issue: furniture, clothing, electronics, books, kitchenware.
The US prohibits importing fresh fruit, vegetables, meat products, and soil.
Alcohol requires an import licence held by the receiving party.
Firearms need ATF approval before they leave the UK.
Prescription medications should travel with documentation from your GP.
For items of high value — artwork, antiques, jewellery — a professional valuation before departure strengthens your insurance claim if anything goes wrong in transit.
Giant Van's team will flag any declared items that are likely to attract customs scrutiny, saving you delays at the port of entry.
How Shipping to USA Works
- 01
Tell us about your move
Enter your collection and delivery addresses, select your property size, and list any large items. See a fixed price in under 60 seconds.
- 02
Choose your moving day
Pick a date and time slot that works for you. Add packing materials or extra helpers if you need them.
- 03
Relax while we move you in
A fully insured crew arrives on time, wraps and loads your belongings, and delivers everything to your new home.
International Removals to USA Preparation Guide
Giant Van vs Other International Movers
See how we compare on the features that matter.
- Fixed-Price Quotes
- Giant Van
- Guaranteed
- International Movers
- Live GPS Tracking
- Giant Van
- International Movers
- Goods-in-Transit Insurance
- Giant Van
- Up to £50k
- International Movers
- Online Booking
- Giant Van
- International Movers
- Same-Day Availability
- Giant Van
- International Movers
- Verified Driver Reviews
- Giant Van
- International Movers
- Dedicated Customer Support
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- International Movers
- Packing Materials Included
- Giant Van
- International Movers
Giant Van offers 6 more features than International Movers
International Removals to USA: Transparent Pricing
If you need International Removals to Usa, moving household goods to the United States requires a customs declaration and a detailed inventory of every item being imported.
US Customs and Border Protection requires proof that the goods are genuinely personal effects, not commercial stock.
You will typically need a packing list itemising contents by box, an inventory valued in the destination currency, and evidence of residency or visa status.
Certain categories — alcohol, tobacco, food, plants, and firearms — face additional restrictions or outright bans.
Giant Van works with vetted freight partners who handle the paperwork on your behalf and flag any restricted items before the container is packed.
Starting the documentation process four to six weeks before departure is recommended.
DIY Move vs Professional Removal
DIY Move
- Van hire: £80–200 per day plus fuel
- No transit insurance for belongings
- Physical effort and injury risk
- Friends needed — plans fall through
- Multiple trips if van too small
Professional Removal
- Fixed price — no surprise charges
- £500 goods-in-transit insurance
- Trained crew handles heavy items
- Right-sized van every time
- Furniture blankets and straps provided
International Removals to USA: Getting a Quote
- 01
Need Removals to Usa from UK?
- 02
Sea freight to the United States travels in a 20-foot or 40-foot container, depending on the volume of your shipment.
- 03
Shared container (groupage) services are available for smaller loads at a lower cost.
- 04
Transit times vary by port of entry and vessel schedule.
- 05
Most UK shipments depart from Tilbury, Felixstowe, or Southampton.
- 06
Port-to-port transit averages three to ten weeks depending on destination.
- 07
Add one to two weeks for customs clearance at the destination port.
- 08
Giant Van coordinates the UK collection, container loading, and documentation, then hands over to the freight partner at the port of export.
International Removals to USA Coverage: Cities and Towns
A Note From Our Drivers
Every job gets the same standard of care: punctual arrival, proper equipment, and goods-in-transit insurance on every item. Our drivers are reviewed after each booking to maintain consistently high standards across every move.
Giant Van operations
Shipping to the USA from the UK requires a complete itemised inventory before goods leave British shores.
Giant Van's removal team packs and lists every item, photographs valuables, and hands the manifest to the freight forwarder in the format US customs expects.
Goods travel insured throughout; if a claim arises, documented condition reports from origin are your strongest evidence.
Message us in the live chat to get a quote based on your actual volume.
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Moving Guides and Advice
Shipping to USA — FAQs
How long does shipping to the USA from the UK take?
Sea freight from UK ports to the US East Coast takes 14 to 21 days. West Coast destinations like Los Angeles or Seattle run 25 to 35 days. Air freight gets items there in 3 to 7 days but costs significantly more — it suits documents, electronics, or a few urgent boxes rather than full household contents.
Do I need a customs broker to move to America from the UK?
For a personal effects shipment as a new US resident, you can self-file with US Customs using CBP Form 3299. That said, most people find a licensed customs broker worth the fee — typically £150 to £300 — because errors in the inventory or form can delay the release of your goods by days or weeks.
Giant Van can recommend established brokers used regularly on this route.
Related Locations and Services
- International Removals — Australia
- International Removals — Spain
- International Removals — Poland
- International Removals — Switzerland
- International Removals — Overview
- International Removals — Portugal
- International Removals — South Africa
- International Removals — From Uk
- International Removals — Canada
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- International Removals
Sources and further reading
These are the official UK sources that set the rules for a job like this one. Each link goes straight to the source so you can check it yourself. Links open in a new tab.
- GOV.UK — moving or retiring abroad
The GOV.UK checklist for leaving the UK: tax, pensions, healthcare and what to tell each department.
- Consumer Rights Act 2015, s.49 (reasonable care and skill)
Section 49 of the Consumer Rights Act 2015: a service you pay for must be carried out with reasonable care and skill.
- Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013
The regulations covering what a trader must tell you before you book, and your right to cancel a service booked online or by phone.
All links checked on or after 1 August 2026.
Compiled by the Giant Van editorial team
Giant Van Ltd is registered in England and Wales, company number 16071027.