Moving to the UK

Shipping Household Goods, Personal Effects & Vehicles from the USA

Reliable international moving services to England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland with guidance on customs, shipping options, and destination delivery.

Less Container Load (LCL)

Best for smaller shipments that do not require a full container.

• Good option for modest shipment sizes
• Weekly or regular departures on many lanes
• Can have higher destination handling charges than larger shipments

Shared Container / Groupage

Cost-effective for customers who are flexible on timing.

• Consolidated with other household goods shipments
• Can offer strong value compared with direct LCL
• Transit depends on consolidation schedule and route

Full Container Load (FCL)

Recommended for larger moves or customers who want exclusive use of the container.

• 20ft and 40ft container options
• Less handling and added protection for larger moves
• Often best for high-volume household goods shipments

• You are moving your normal residence to the UK
• The goods are for your personal use
• The goods are not commercial goods
• You complete the ToR process where applicable

Moving personal belongings to the UK
ToR1 application guidance

International household goods and vehicle shipping from the USA.

LCL, shared containers, and full containers depending on budget and timing.

Support with ToR-related questions, documents, and planning.

Advice on delivery access, timing, and arrival planning.

Use Detailed Inventories

Avoid vague carton descriptions. A clear inventory helps customs and destination agents.

Review Restricted Items Early

Food, plant, animal, and permit-related goods should be reviewed before packing.

Plan Delivery Access

Let us know about stairs, elevators, parking limits, or narrow roads at destination.

Transfer of Residence relief remains important for people relocating to the UK

HMRC continues to direct people moving their personal belongings to the UK to use the Transfer of Residence process where applicable, and the government’s customs rules still support simplified commodity code treatment for qualifying household goods. This remains one of the most important customs steps for many international moves to Great Britain. :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}

UK import controls still require care with restricted personal items

UK government guidance continues to highlight restrictions on firearms, explosives, some food and plant products, and other controlled items. This is especially important for international movers packing food, seeds, animal products, or goods that may fall under permit or wildlife-related controls. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

Busy UK gateway activity may still affect routing and delivery timing

UK port activity has remained active, with DP World reporting record container volumes at London Gateway in 2025 and ongoing expansion work tied to future capacity. Higher throughput can be positive long term, but it can also mean customers should allow flexibility around vessel schedules, port handling, and inland delivery timing. :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}