Moving to the United States
ClickMoves provides international removal and shipping services from the UK to the USA for household goods and personal effects, from a few boxes and smaller shipments through to complete household moves.
We arrange collections throughout the UK and deliveries across the United States, including major destinations such as New York, Florida, California and Texas, as well as locations throughout the country.
Depending on the volume you are moving, your destination and your preferred timescale, we can arrange either a cost-effective shared container service or an exclusive shipping container for your move.
Our team can also guide you through the documentation and customs requirements involved in shipping your belongings from the UK to the USA.
Removal and shipping services from the UK to the USA
International moves to the USA are normally transported by sea, providing a practical and cost-effective way of moving household goods across the Atlantic.
The most suitable service will depend largely on the volume of belongings you are moving. Smaller shipments can share container space with other customers, while larger household moves may justify the use of an exclusive shipping container.
ClickMoves can arrange collection, international shipping, customs clearance and final delivery to your new home in the United States.
Shared container and groupage shipping to the USA
Our shared container service is designed for customers who do not have enough belongings to fill an entire shipping container. Your goods are consolidated with other shipments travelling to the USA, allowing the cost of the container and international transport to be shared.
This can be particularly economical for smaller household moves, furniture, personal effects and customers moving only part of the contents of their home.
Because the container carries several customers’ shipments, transit times can be longer than with an exclusive container while shipments are consolidated and scheduled for departure.
Exclusive container shipping to the USA
For larger household moves, ClickMoves can arrange an exclusive 20-foot or 40-foot shipping container, depending on the volume of goods being transported.
Using an exclusive container means that the container is allocated to your shipment rather than shared with other customers. This can provide greater flexibility and is particularly suitable when moving the contents of a complete home.
We can arrange collection and loading in the UK, ocean freight to the United States, customs clearance and delivery to your destination.
Customs requirements when moving from the UK to the USA
Household goods and personal effects entering the United States are subject to US customs procedures, and the documentation required will depend on your circumstances and the contents of your shipment.
Used household goods can generally be imported without customs duty when they meet the applicable requirements, but restricted, prohibited or newly purchased items may be treated differently.
An accurate inventory of the goods being shipped is important. ClickMoves will explain the documentation required for your particular move and work with our destination partners to help coordinate customs clearance when your shipment reaches the USA.
Documents typically required for removals to the USA
The exact requirements depend on the shipment and your circumstances, but you may be asked to provide:
- A copy of your passport
- A detailed packing list or inventory
- US customs documentation for the importation of household goods
- Details of your residence or destination in the United States
- Immigration or visa information where applicable
- Additional documentation for any items subject to specific US import controls
ClickMoves will advise you about the documentation required for your shipment before it leaves the UK.
Collection and delivery throughout the USA
ClickMoves can arrange collection of your belongings from addresses throughout the UK and delivery to destinations across the United States.
We handle moves to major destinations including New York, New Jersey, Florida, Texas and California, as well as cities and towns throughout the East Coast, West Coast, Midwest and southern states.
The routing of your shipment will depend on your final destination. Containers normally arrive through an appropriate US port before customs clearance and onward transport to your new home.
For inland destinations, we can arrange onward delivery from the port as part of the overall door-to-door moving service.
Transit times from the UK to the USA
Transit times depend on your destination, the shipping route and whether you use a shared or exclusive container.
An exclusive container can normally be shipped once collection and loading have been completed and the container has been booked onto an appropriate sailing.
Shared container shipments generally take longer because several customers’ shipments must be consolidated before the container can depart.
The final delivery timescale also depends on the US arrival port, customs clearance and the distance between the port and your destination. We will provide an estimated schedule when preparing your quotation and keep you informed as your shipment progresses.
Frequently asked questions about moving to the USA
Can I ship a small amount of furniture to the USA?
Yes. You do not need enough belongings to fill an entire shipping container. A shared container or groupage service allows smaller shipments to travel alongside other customers’ goods, making international shipping more economical.
Do I need a whole container to move to the USA?
No. Smaller and medium-sized shipments can normally be sent using a shared container service. For larger household moves, an exclusive 20-foot or 40-foot container may be more appropriate.
Can you collect anywhere in the UK?
Yes. We can arrange collection throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and organise onward shipping and delivery to destinations across the United States.
Can you deliver anywhere in the USA?
We can arrange delivery to destinations throughout the United States. The precise shipping route and arrival port will depend on where you are moving, with onward transport arranged to your final destination.
How much does it cost to move from the UK to the USA?
The cost depends on the volume of belongings being shipped, your collection and delivery locations and whether you use a shared or exclusive container. Rather than publishing fixed prices, we prepare an individual quotation based on the requirements of each move.
How long does shipping from the UK to the USA take?
The overall timescale varies according to the destination, shipping route, type of service and customs clearance. Shared container services normally take longer than exclusive containers because shipments must first be consolidated.
Can ClickMoves help with US customs?
Yes. We will explain the documentation required for your household goods shipment and work with our destination partners to coordinate the customs clearance process in the United States.
Get a quote for your move to the USA
Whether you are moving a few boxes, furniture, part of a household or the contents of an entire home, ClickMoves can recommend a suitable way to ship your belongings from the UK to the United States.
Tell us what you are moving, where you are moving from and your destination in the USA, and we will prepare a quotation based on your individual requirements.
Ready to start planning your move? Request your free international moving quote today.