International Removals from the UK to the USA

1st Move International can offer weekly scheduled sailings to the USA from the UK, with the port-to-port transit time being dependant on your destination port. The approximate transit time from UK port to US port is between 12 and 30days, and the below table shows the transit times for the most popular destinations in the USA;

For the most up-to-date information, please visit our USA schedules page.

Yes, we offer a 10% early booking discount for every move to the USA. Booking your move early allows us to better plan our collection services and streamline our packing teams for maximum efficiency. Booking your move early means we can make savings on transport and packing schedules and pass these savings to you, our customers.

Moving overseas can be a stressful experience and we want to make it as easy as possible for you to take that first step on your journey to the USA.

So why not book your moving day now, it’s easy, no deposit, no obligation, no cancellation fees and our 10% early booking discount is our thank you for getting organised early.

You can book your move up to 12 months in advance and this offer is available to all our customers who book their move to the USA within 10 days of receiving their quote.

Let’s get that big ball rolling and Book your move in less than 60 seconds here.

Yes, to be able to move your furniture and personal effects to the USA without paying any import duties and taxes, you will need to have valid visa or residents permit. Below is an outline of the different types of visa or immigration status that are available when moving to the USA.

• Immigrant Visa or Green Card: If you are moving to the USA on a permanent basis as an immigrant with an immigrant visa or green card (permanent resident card) you can move your household goods and personal effects duty-free.
• Non-Immigrant Visa or status: If you are moving to the USA temporarily as a non-immigrant, you may be required to post a bond or pay duty if U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines that your goods will not be re-exported, as you cannot move them to the USA on a permanent basis.
• Visa Waiver Program: Visitors from certain countries, including the UK, who are entering the USA for a short period under the Visa Waiver Program may need to pay duty on household goods and personal effects.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website can provide you with full details of the requirements for moving furniture, personal effects and household goods to the USA.

No, you aren’t allowed to move personal effects and household goods to the USA from the UK with just an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) as part of the Visa Waiver Program.

1ST Move International has over 25 years’ worth of experience in moving all types of personal effects, household goods, personal belongings, furniture, boxes, bags and suitcases from the UK to the USA, and have the knowledge and expertise to safely collect, pack and ship any items that you wish, that are allowable to be moved to the USA.

We ship all manner of personal effects and belongings including;

• Clothing and Footwear: All everyday clothes, shoes, trainers, coats and accessories, and some non-everyday clothes including the occasional wedding dress (new and used)
• Household Items: Kitchenware, cutlery, bedding and towels, lamps, ornaments and other household goods.
• Electronics and Appliances: Televisions, computers and laptops, white goods, stereo systems and all kinds of small appliances such as kettles or toasters.
• Books and Personal Documents: Books, photo albums and important or sentimental documents such as birth or marriage certificates. Don’t pack your passport though, you may struggle to get to the USA to receive your goods without this!
• Sports Equipment: Bikes, tennis rackets, surfboards and snowboards, golf clubs and exercise equipment such as Peloton bikes, which we crate individually for protection and ease of loading/unloading. If you are moving an electric bike to the USA, or an electric scooter, speak with one of our team.
• Bedroom Furniture: King size, single and every bed size in between, either framed or divan, including mattresses, chests of drawers, wardrobes and bedside tables.
• Living Room Furniture: Sofas and armchairs, coffee tables, bookshelves, TV and entertainment units.
• Dining Room Furniture: Dining tables and chairs
• Office Furniture: Desks, chairs and bookshelves

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 things to consider;

• Electrical Standards: As the USA uses 110-120V, 60Hz electrical standards you many need transformers or adapters to use appliances designed for the UK’s 220-240V system.
• Prohibited Items: Some items, such as cordless phones, older TVs with cathode ray tubes and appliances container gases like fridges and air conditioners have restrictions and measures needed to ship to the USA.
• Cleaning: All appliances used for food preparation must be thoroughly cleaned of all food residue, and fridges and freezers must be completely defrosted as well as being cleaned.

When you are planning your move from the UK to the USA, it is imperative that you know which household goods and personal items may be restricted or prohibited.

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;

• Food Products, including fruits, vegetables etc
• Alcohol
• Medications
• Plants/Seeds
• Weapons and Firearms
• Cultural Artifacts

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, you are allowed to ship your personal car or motorbike to the USA when you are moving, but there are certain requirements and restrictions that you need to be aware of.

For vehicles less than 25 years old;

• All vehicles must comply with applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, which need to be certified by its original manufacturer.
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements for emissions and gas mileage disclosures must also be met.
• Import duty will need to be paid, based on the vehicles value.

Unless specifically manufactured for the US market, it can be a costly exercise to ship a car or motorbike that is less than 25 years old to the USA.

For vehicles 25 years old or older;

• These are exempt from FMVSS and EPA.
• Proof of the vehicles age, from the registration documents, are required.
• Import duty will need to be paid, except if the vehicle is considered an antique.

For more details, please visit our Autoshippers USA page here.

When your belongings arrive in the USA, our trusted agent will be in contact with you to arrange Customs clearance through U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Before your personal effects and household goods have left the UK, your 1st Move International Move Manager will assist you in completing all the necessary paperwork that is required to clear your shipment, and the paperwork is shared with the US Customs Broker. This means that they have all details in advance to assist with a speedy clearance through US Customs.

Once cleared, the agent will coordinate the delivery on your preferred date, which includes, if applicable, the delivery of your goods into your home and the removal of any packing debris.

To handle Customs clearance in the USA, you need to enlist the help of a licensed Customs broker, who is regulated by the U.S. Customs & Border Protection (CBP). To become a licensed Customs broker, an individual needs to pass an examination.

All Customs brokers that 1st Move International partner with are fully licensed with many years of experience in moving household goods into the USA. They can assist you with the Customs process and ensure that your personal effects are cleared correctly, and as quickly as possible.

All paperwork that is required for Customs clearance is provided at the time of booking with us, and this is completed, with our help, before your shipment departs from the UK.

We have further information on our Customs Guide to the USA, and our Move Managers are happy to help with any questions that you have regarding the Customs process.

If you are moving to the USA as a permanent residence (immigrant) with a valid visa, you do not need to pay duty on your personal effects and household goods, provided you meet certain requirements set by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

The main requirements are;

• You must have owned and used the goods abroad for at least one year before your move
• The goods are for your personal use and not for any commercial purposes
• You import the goods within one year of your arrival date in the U.S. as an immigrant

There are some exceptions where duty may still apply, such as new items, alcohol or tobacco products above personal exemption limits and motor vehicles.

1st Move International are partnered with approved Customs brokers in the USA, who we have had strong ties with for many years. There are a number of experienced and licensed Customs brokers at our disposal, depending on where in the USA you are moving to, and we will give you full contact details once your shipment has departed from the UK, as well as providing them with your details and documentation in advance of the shipment's arrival into the USA.

Customs brokers in the USA are licensed and regulated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and to become a licensed broker you must pass an examination. All Customs brokers that we partner with are fully licensed, and have many years experience with the importation of household goods into the USA.

Yes, aided by our trusted partners in the USA, including fully licensed Customs brokers, 1st Move International can offer a full door to door international removals service from the UK to the USA.

This includes collection from any address in mainland UK, full palletised packing using our unique shrink-fast process, Customs clearance, all required documentation, import handling, clearance and delivery to your address in the USA.

1st Move International and our trusted partners are with you every step of the way.

Your US Customs paperwork (Customs form 3299) must include details of the flight number and date that you arrived in the USA when you moved there. This means that you need to arrive in the USA before your personal effects and household goods do, or they cannot be cleared through Customs.

With 1st Move International partnering with a fully licensed Customs broker, you do not need to physically visit Customs in person to clear your personal effects shipment, as this is handled on your behalf using the paperwork you completed before the goods departed from the UK.

So, you need to be able to prove that you have arrived in the USA before your goods have, but do not physically need to be in the country when the goods are being cleared through US Customs.