1-888-238-0180
U.S. Customs Clearance
Household-goods customs coordination, CBP documentation, inspections when required and cargo release.
Port & Terminal Handling
Container pickup, CFS handling, deconsolidation, warehouse release and onward transportation.
Nationwide Home Delivery
Professional moving crews and residential delivery throughout the continental United States.
Global Agent Network
We can coordinate packing and pickup overseas as well as the complete U.S. destination service.
Your U.S. Destination Partner
An international move does not end when your container reaches a U.S. port. Customs clearance, cargo release, terminal charges, container pickup, deconsolidation, trucking, storage, delivery scheduling and local movers all need to be coordinated correctly.
East Coast Shipping can manage the complete U.S. destination process. Your shipment can originate with your own overseas mover, freight forwarder, relocation company or one of our international partners.
Once the shipment is routed to the United States, our team can coordinate the process from arrival through final delivery.
We coordinate with overseas movers, steamship lines, airlines, customs brokers, terminals, warehouses, truckers and local moving crews so you do not have to manage every company separately.
Need Us to Handle the Entire Move?
We are not limited to destination delivery. Through our international network we can arrange the move from your overseas residence all the way to your new home in the United States.
How an International Move to the USA Works
Every shipment is different, but most international household moves follow the same basic process.
Pack & Pickup
Your belongings are professionally packed or collected overseas.
International Freight
Shipment travels by ocean or air to the appropriate U.S. gateway.
Customs
Documentation is submitted for U.S. Customs clearance.
Cargo Release
We coordinate terminal, warehouse and carrier release.
Delivery
Local movers deliver your belongings to your new U.S. residence.
U.S. Destination Services
U.S. Customs Clearance
Coordination of CBP household-goods documentation, shipment details, customs filing and release.
Port & Terminal Pickup
Collection from ocean terminals, container freight stations, airline facilities and destination warehouses.
Container Drayage
Full-container pickup and transportation from the port to a warehouse or direct delivery location.
LCL & Groupage Handling
Deconsolidation and handling of shared-container, palletized, liftvan and LCL household-goods shipments.
Residential Delivery
Professional delivery crews can bring goods into the home, place furniture and perform included basic assembly.
Warehouse & Storage
Storage and destination warehouse handling can be coordinated if your home is not ready when the shipment arrives.
Unpacking Services
Optional carton unpacking and additional destination labor can be arranged where available.
Special Handling
Pianos, safes, artwork, motorcycles, antiques and other specialty items can be reviewed before delivery.
Importing Household Goods into the United States
Used household goods and personal effects can often qualify for duty-free entry into the United States when they meet U.S. Customs and Border Protection requirements.
Household effects such as furniture, rugs, artwork, tableware, books, linens and similar furnishings may generally qualify for duty-free entry when they have been used abroad for at least one year and are being imported for the owner's personal use rather than for resale.
Recently purchased goods, commercial merchandise, alcohol, vehicles and regulated items can be treated differently.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection makes all final decisions regarding admissibility, inspections, duties, taxes and customs treatment.
CBP Form 3299 – Household Goods Customs Form
Unaccompanied personal-effects and household-goods shipments entering the United States commonly require CBP Form 3299 – Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles.
- Importer's full legal name
- Date of birth
- U.S. delivery address
- Passport and immigration/residency information
- Date of arrival in the United States
- Country where the household goods were used
- Length of time the goods were used abroad
- Bill of Lading or Air Waybill details
- Detailed packing inventory
- Declaration of restricted or specially regulated articles
Avoid vague descriptions such as only “household goods,” “miscellaneous” or “personal effects.” Boxes should contain meaningful descriptions of the contents for customs purposes.
Documents Typically Needed for a Move to the USA
Household Goods
- Passport copy
- CBP Form 3299
- Detailed packing inventory
- Bill of Lading or Air Waybill
- U.S. destination address
- Travel / arrival information
- Applicable immigration or residency documentation
When Applicable
- Vehicle title and registration
- Vehicle compliance documents
- Purchase receipts for newer goods
- Power of Attorney
- Permits for regulated articles
- Additional CBP or government-agency documentation
Returning American or Moving to the USA for the First Time?
Returning U.S. Residents
Americans returning after living overseas can generally import qualifying used household goods and personal belongings subject to CBP requirements.
New purchases, vehicles, alcohol, food and controlled goods can have separate rules.
New Immigrants & Foreign Residents
People permanently relocating to the United States can also import eligible household effects when they meet CBP requirements.
Immigration permission and customs eligibility are separate matters. East Coast Shipping coordinates transportation and customs but does not provide immigration or legal advice.
What Can I Ship to the USA?
Common Household Goods
- Furniture
- Clothing and linens
- Books and collections
- Kitchenware
- Artwork and décor
- Bicycles
- Sporting equipment
- Used electronics
- Personal belongings
- Household boxes
Check With Us Before Packing
- Food products
- Plants, seeds, flowers or soil
- Alcohol or tobacco
- Firearms or ammunition
- Lithium batteries
- E-bikes or electric scooters
- Paint, chemicals or aerosols
- Medications
- Animal or wildlife products
- Commercial merchandise
Customs regulations, USDA agricultural rules, hazardous-goods regulations and ocean/air carrier restrictions can all apply independently.
Shipping a Vehicle to the United States
Vehicle imports require additional planning because Customs, EPA emissions regulations and NHTSA safety regulations can all apply.
- Year, make and model
- VIN
- Country of manufacture
- Country where originally sold
- Copy of title or registration
- Photos of manufacturer compliance labels
- Whether the vehicle was originally manufactured for the U.S. market
U.S.-Specification Vehicles
Vehicles originally manufactured and certified to comply with U.S. safety and emissions requirements are generally more straightforward to return to the United States.
Non-U.S.-Specification Vehicles
Vehicles that were not manufactured to U.S. standards may require additional approvals, exemptions, modifications or use of specialized registered importers.
NHTSA generally permits vehicles that are at least 25 years old, measured from their date of manufacture, to be imported without needing to comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. EPA requirements must still be reviewed separately.
Moving to the USA With Pets
Pet-entry requirements vary depending on the animal, country of origin, vaccination history, travel history and final U.S. destination.
Dogs can be subject to CDC requirements as well as USDA requirements. States can also have additional entry or health requirements.
Always confirm current federal and state requirements before booking flights or arranging pet transport.
Nationwide U.S. Moving & Delivery Coverage
Through our network of destination agents, warehouses, truckers and local moving companies, East Coast Shipping coordinates international relocations throughout the United States.
Northeast
New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia and surrounding states.Southeast
Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and surrounding states.Midwest
Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri and surrounding states.Texas & Southwest
Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas and surrounding areas.Mountain States
Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada and surrounding destinations.West Coast
California, Oregon, Washington and destinations throughout the western United States.What Can Be Included With Home Delivery?
Destination service can be customized depending on the shipment, residence and service level booked.
- Delivery into the residence
- Placement of furniture into requested rooms
- Unwrapping of professionally wrapped furniture
- Basic assembly such as beds and table legs where included
- Removal of furniture wrapping debris at the time of delivery
Items That May Require Additional Planning
- Full carton unpacking
- Elevator reservations
- Long carries
- Additional flights of stairs
- Shuttle trucks where large vehicles cannot access the property
- Parking permits
- Piano or safe handling
- Complex furniture assembly
- Storage
Moving to the USA Checklist
Plan Your Move
- Create a detailed inventory
- Decide what to ship
- Review U.S. customs requirements
- Check restricted items
- Review vehicle eligibility
- Arrange pet travel separately
Prepare Customs
- Complete CBP Form 3299
- Provide passport documents
- Provide detailed inventory
- Confirm U.S. address
- Provide travel / arrival information
Prepare Your Home
- Confirm final address
- Check truck access
- Reserve elevators if required
- Arrange parking
- Advise us about stairs
- Confirm preferred delivery contact
New to the United States? Helpful First Steps
Social Security Number
An SSN is commonly used for employment, taxes, banking, credit and interaction with government agencies.
Health Insurance
Review insurance options early. Coverage can come through an employer, private insurer or the Health Insurance Marketplace depending on eligibility.
Driver's License
Driver licensing and vehicle registration are managed by individual states, so requirements depend on where you establish residence.
Banking & Credit
Banks may request identification, a U.S. address, Social Security Number or other tax identification.
Schools
Public-school enrollment is generally managed locally. Families should bring school records, birth certificates, vaccination records and proof of address.
Utilities & Services
Electricity, water, gas, internet and waste services vary by location. Set these up before your shipment is scheduled for delivery where possible.
USA Quick Facts for New Arrivals
Helpful Links for Moving to the USA
Government rules can change. For customs, immigration, pets, vehicles and other regulated matters, always refer to official sources.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) → CBP Form 3299 – Declaration for Free Entry → U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) → Social Security Administration – Social Security Number → NHTSA – Importing a Vehicle → EPA – Importing Vehicles & Engines → USDA APHIS – Food, Plants & Agricultural Products → USDA APHIS – Bringing Pets to the USA → CDC – Bringing a Dog into the United States → HealthCare.gov – Health Coverage for Immigrants →Moving to the USA FAQ
Can East Coast Shipping handle only the U.S. destination portion of my move?
Can you handle my entire move from overseas to my U.S. home?
Are household goods duty-free when moving to the USA?
What is CBP Form 3299?
Do I need a detailed inventory?
Can you deliver anywhere in the United States?
Can I ship a car with my household goods?
What happens if Customs inspects my shipment?
Can you store my belongings if my new home is not ready?
Can I move only boxes or a small shipment to the USA?
Need a Reliable Destination Agent in the USA?
East Coast Shipping works with international moving companies, relocation companies, freight forwarders and overseas agents requiring dependable U.S. destination services.
We can quote customs coordination, port handling, deconsolidation, trucking, warehousing, delivery and destination moving services.
For a destination quote, send us:- Origin country
- U.S. port or airport of arrival
- Final U.S. destination
- Shipment volume and weight
- FCL, LCL, groupage or airfreight
- Required destination services
Information on this page is provided as general relocation guidance and is subject to change. U.S. Customs and Border Protection, NHTSA, EPA, USDA, CDC, USCIS and other applicable authorities make all final decisions concerning admissibility, duties, inspections, immigration status and regulatory requirements.
Need a Quote?
Give us a call at:
Toll Free 888-238-0180
Local 954-736-4706
Fax 954 241 3456
Or use our email form and we'll get back to you within 24 hours!
FMC # 023887N
Address
Shipping Terminals:
Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Atlanta, Baltimore, New York, Chicago, Boston, Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, Seattle
Sales Office:
East Coast Shipping
5181 NW 109th
Sunrise, FL, 33351
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