Planning a move from the UK to the USA? 1st Move are one of the UK’s leading privately owned international removals companies, established in 1997 and with over 25 years of experience. Rated excellent on Trustpilot, we are your trusted moving expert for a safe and stress-free relocation to destinations like New York, California, Florida, and beyond. Our specialist safer packing and weekly sailings mean your household goods arrive more efficiently, often up to 14 weeks sooner than with standard movers.
This page explains exactly what to expect when shipping your belongings to the USA, from up-to-date international removals costs (starting from as little as £650 for a mini-move) to shipping times and how our door-to-door service, managed by your own Move Manager, simplifies the complex customs process.
Get a free quote today or keep reading to explore costs, transit schedules, and answers to common questions about removals from the UK to the USA.
As a BAR member, our company has been rigorously vetted and subject to regular audits to ensure we meet their strict quality guidelines when moving personal effects overseas. This includes financial stability, full regulatory compliance, and adhering to the BAR's strict code of practice when dealing with our customers and all aspects of relocating their goods worldwide.
International moving costs from the UK to the USA range from £1150 to £9000. The exact cost will depend on how much you are shipping, your chosen service (shared or full container) and your destination in America.
The average cost of removals to popular US destinations:
These are estimates based on the costs from our UK depot to the arrival port in the USA. No two moves are the same, so for an accurate quotation based on your own specific requirements, please complete our moving quote form here.
Here are the typical removal costs and transit times from the UK to our main US destinations. Choose your city to find out the moving costs from the UK. Online estimates are available through our USA removals cost calculator which will also show the shipping times from London Gateway port.
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,021 | 12 days |
| 1‑bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,584 | 12 days |
| 3‑bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £7,757 | 12 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £9,195 | 12 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,026 | 14 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,622 | 14 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £7,568 | 14 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £9,100 | 14 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,104 | 12 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,749 | 12 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £8,177 | 12 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £9,895 | 12 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,016 | 19 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,624 | 19 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £8,559 | 19 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £10,044 | 19 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,134 | 30 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,798 | 30 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £9,743 | 30 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £11,846 | 30 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,052 | 14 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,663 | 14 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £8,276 | 14 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £9,619 | 14 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,175 | 12 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,873 | 12 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £7,568 | 12 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £9,097 | 12 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,391 | 30 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £2,234 | 30 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £10,553 | 30 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £13,196 | 30 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,503 | 30 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £2,421 | 30 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £11,376 | 30 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £14,252 | 30 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,258 | 12 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,998 | 12 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £8,973 | 12 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £10,601 | 12 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,512 | 19 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £2,473 | 19 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £11,522 | 19 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £13,584 | 19 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,454 | 30 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £2,338 | 30 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £11,982 | 30 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £14,577 | 30 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,399 | 19 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £2,248 | 19 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £10,833 | 19 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £12,756 | 19 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,353 | 14 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £2,164 | 14 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £9,982 | 14 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £11,854 | 14 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,486 | 30 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £2,397 | 30 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £10,973 | 30 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £13,766 | 30 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,453 | 19 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £2,338 | 19 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £11,342 | 19 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £13,812 | 19 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,336 | 12 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £2,143 | 12 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £9,504 | 12 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £11,532 | 12 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,461 | 12 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £2,352 | 12 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £9,954 | 12 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £11,913 | 12 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,107 | 12 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,749 | 12 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £8,348 | 12 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £10,857 | 12 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,615 | 30 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £2,608 | 30 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £13,104 | 30 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £15,989 | 30 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,225 | 12 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,957 | 12 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £8,563 | 12 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £10,494 | 12 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,163 | 14 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,853 | 14 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £8,327 | 14 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £9,907 | 14 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,412 | 19 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £2,267 | 19 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £11,207 | 19 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £13,598 | 19 days |
| Move size | Service | Typical removals costs | Transit time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small studio | Shared container (LCL) | From £1,324 | 14 days |
| 1-bed flat | Shared container (LCL) | From £2,122 | 14 days |
| 3-bed house | 20ft container (FCL) | £9,012 | 14 days |
| 4+ bed house | 40ft container (FCL) | £11,246 | 14 days |
These prices are guidelines and based on average move sizes. Costs can vary depending on size, insurance, packing services and your final destination. Every move is unique so please ask for a quote tailored to your specific requirements here.
We offer two flexible international removal services designed to suit different move sizes, budgets, and timeframes. Whether you’re relocating just a few boxes or your entire household, we’ll make your move to the USA simple, secure, and stress-free.
Our shared container service is the most cost-effective way to ship your personal belongings and household goods from the UK to the USA. Perfect for smaller moves, from just a few boxes up to a one- or two-bedroom apartment, this option lets you share container space with other customers, so you only pay for the exact space your shipment occupies.
Prices typically range from £1,000 to £2,500, depending on the size of your move. Shared containers depart weekly, with transit times from approximately 12 days to the East Coast and up to 30 days to the West Coast.
Affordable, flexible, and efficient, our shared container service makes relocating to America simple and stress-free.
Our Full Container Load (FCL) service is the ideal choice for larger household moves, perfect if you’re relocating the entire contents of a three- or four-bedroom home from the UK to the USA. With this service, you’ll have exclusive use of your own 20ft or 40ft shipping container, giving you complete control and peace of mind.
Prices start from around £6,900 for a 3-bedroom move or £8,600 for a 4-bedroom home, with transit times ranging from around 12 days to the East Coast to up to 30 days to the West Coast.
Efficient, secure, and convenient, our full container service offers the best option to move your entire household to the USA.
When moving from the UK to the USA, every detail matters. That’s why 1st Move offers faster sailings, safer packing, fast track customs clearance, and a dedicated team focused on your move. Here’s what makes our international removals service stand out.
Get there up to 14 weeks faster than other movers with our guaranteed weekly moving services to the USA. Once packed, your belongings are immediately scheduled for the next available weekly sailing. No waiting!
Take advantage of our unique palletised packing system and get the highest level of security for your overseas move. Our space-saving packing minimises handling and maximising safety and security and is the safest way to ship household goods to the USA.
Enjoy precise and transparent billing thanks to accurate measurements. Your pallets are individually measured to ensure you pay for what you ship. No rough estimates.
To ensure your relocation to the USA is seamless, you will be assigned a personal Move Manager. This single point of contact will be your dedicated expert, handling every detail from initial planning to final delivery, and providing professional guidance to make your transition as smooth as possible
Lock in a 10% saving on your move by confirming your booking within 10 days of receiving your quote. There’s no risk in planning ahead! We require no deposit, and you can cancel anytime without a penalty. Secure your preferred moving date and enjoy a lower price.
Our in-house team of customs specialists will manage every aspect of your customs process. We handle all the required documentation to ensure full compliance, streamlining the process for a swift and seamless customs clearance in the USA from the port to your door.
Here’s what our industry-leading palletised system looks like once your belongings are packed, wrapped, and ready to sail to America.
This isn’t just packing
It's protection.
It's speed.
It's door-to-door peace of mind.
Move on your schedule, not your mover's. Ship your belongings from the UK to the USA up to 14 weeks faster and eliminate the waiting and uncertainty common with other international movers. View our latest UK to USA sailing schedule for up-to-date vessel names, sailing dates, and transit times.
Not a scratch or dent. Everyone involved were most helpful. All questions answered promptly. Would recommend you to anyone who asked me about you. Superb job!!!!
We had the best experience and the packing was amazing. It all arrived From London, England to Costa Mesa, California perfectly intact! Not a single item broke not even a coffee cup or glassware!
From beginning to end I felt in safe hands. Obviously moving across the world is a big event and these guys made it feel so simple and easy. All of our belongings arrived safely, in the time frame they stated too.
I had the best experience possible when I had my stuff moved from England to America. Every time I contacted 1st move I was happy with everything. Any questions or doubts I had were all answered and solved.
Having done the trans Atlantic move three times in the past three years I am able to compare like for like. Everything was delivered in quick time, the price was competitive, the communication was very good and the paperwork was made very easy.
1st move international did a wonderful job moving me from the UK to the US. The whole process was very smooth and they kept in touch with me every step of the way. I would 100% recommend them.
Great people and company. Everyone from Tom, Tessa & Mike have been excellent and very helpful. They picked up our furniture and packaged it and shipped it from England to California and everything was in perfect condition.
Great company!! I would highly recommend using 1st Move International. They were super easy to correspond with and walked me through all the steps for getting my mother’s belongings back over to the States.
The process was smooth and quick, the staff in the UK were very helpful with all the paperwork, helping us avoid US import fees. The pallet was well wrapped and came through undamaged. Truly exceptional service- I highly recommend!
Excellent service from the initial quote, to pick up, help with customs forms etc. US delivery partner was also very professional and helpful.
Amazing experience. We put off moving this furniture internationally for years thinking that it would be difficult but 1st Move International proved us wrong. It was so easy and they kept us informed every step of the way!
I cannot recommend 1st Move International enough. The communication all the way through the process was impeccable, before and during shipping. All of my goods arrived in perfect condition! Thanks so much again 1st Move International!!
Excellent service from packing up in UK, to delivery in USA, the whole experience was excellent. I had communication and great guidelines on how to do each step. Everything arrived timely and nothing was broken or missing.
We've used 1st Move twice now to ship our belongs from the UK to the US, and both times they've been friendly, fast, helpful, and KIND.
Absolutely perfect! I cannot recommend 1st Move International enough! Phenomenal customer service, constant updates, exceptional communication. Full confidence in their team and give them the highest commendation! You will not regret your investment and trust in them.
Here are the moving and shipping costs from the UK to USA.
These costs are for budget purposes only. The final price of your move to USA will depend on factors such as how much you are shipping, the value of your belongings (for insurance purposes), your collection and final destination in the USA. To receive an accurate estimate that is tailored to your move, please ask us for a free quote.
The approximate transit time is between 12 and 30 days, depending on your destination in the U.S. See our simple guide below.
| Destination | Transit Time |
|---|---|
| Houston | 19 Days |
| Los Angeles | 30 Days |
| Maimi | 14 Days |
| New York | 12 Days |
For the most up-to-date information, please visit our USA schedules page.
We provide a full door-to-door removals service to every state across the USA. Whether your destination is New York, Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, Chicago, or a smaller town or rural area, we can arrange safe and reliable delivery.
Shipments from the UK are routed through the country’s major arrival ports of New York, Los Angeles, Miami or Houston. From there, your belongings are transported nationwide, ensuring complete door-to-door coverage across all 50 states.
Yes, we offer a 10% early booking discount for every move to the USA. Booking your move early means we can make savings on transport and packing schedules and pass these savings to you, our customers.
Get that ball rolling and reserve your move in less than 60 seconds here to secure your 10% discount.
Yes. All international moves to the USA can be protected with our Move Protect cover. This specialist policy is designed specifically for international removals and offers far greater protection than standard carrier liability.
With Move Protect, you simply declare the maximum replacement value of your belongings before shipping. This value determines the level of cover for any loss or damage during transit. Choosing Move Protect ensures your items are protected throughout packing, shipping, customs, and delivery.
If you prefer not to take Move Protect, your shipment will still be covered by limited liability, capped at £40 per item. However, most customers choose Move Protect for complete peace of mind and to reflect the true value of their goods.
All claims under Move Protect are handled promptly by independent adjusters and won’t affect your personal home-insurance no-claims status.
Move with confidence. Move Protect is designed for the real risks of moving goods overseas, so you can relax knowing your personal effects are covered from door to door.
When shipping your household goods to the USA, you’ll need to complete a few key documents to satisfy U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requirements.
Our expert team will guide you through every step of the process, but to get a head start, you should prepare the following:
These documents help U.S. Customs verify your shipment and ensure your goods clear efficiently through border protection upon arrival.
For more details on customs rules, duty exemptions, and downloadable forms, please see our US customs guide.
All documents can be sent directly to us through our secure document upload tool.
If you’re moving to the USA as a permanent resident (immigrant) with a valid visa, you can usually import your personal effects and household goods duty-free, provided you meet the conditions set by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
To qualify for duty-free entry:
Exceptions - Duty may apply for:
If you’re unsure whether certain items qualify, our team can guide you through CBP regulations and help prepare the right documentation to ensure a smooth customs process.
Yes, you can take most household and electrical appliances with you when you are moving to the USA from the UK, but there are a few important things to check before shipping:
Electrical Standards
The USA uses a 110-120V, 60Hz electrical system, while UK appliances are built for 220-240V, 50Hz. Many small devices (like laptops or phone chargers) are dual-voltage, but for others, you may need a voltage transformer or plug adapter. Always check the appliance label before packing.
Prohibited or Restricted Items
Certain appliances are subject to import restrictions or may require special preparation, including:
Our team can advise on whether your appliances can be shipped safely and in compliance with U.S. regulations.
Cleaning Requirements
Appliances used for food preparation must be completely cleaned and free of any food residue. Fridges and freezers must also be fully defrosted and dry before shipping to prevent mould and odours during transit.
For more information, please visit our guide to shipping electrical goods from the UK to the USA
Items you are allowed to ship include furniture, clothing, books, electrical appliances and other items for personal use. However, there are certain items that may require further permits, or aren’t allowed to be shipped at all. These include;
For anything that you are unsure of, speak with your Move Manager at 1st Move International. To assist us, please send your packed inventory as soon as possible, so that we can check for any items that may need additional attention, or to be removed from your shipment all together.
Take a look at our Customs Guide to the USA for more details and for links to the U.S. Customs & Border Protection Website.
We also provide a comprehensive guide on Prohibted & Restricted Items when Moving to the U.S.
Yes! Once your shipment is in the container and loaded to the vessel, you will receive a tracking number. This will allow you to monitor the progress of your shipment online using our container tracking tool and stay informed about its estimated arrival time.