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Moving to a new country can feel stressful, especially if it's your first time. But with help from trusted California international movers & shipping companies, your move can be smooth and easy. Our experienced California movers and packers specialise in overseas containers shipping, including transatlantic relocations from the UK to Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and all California cities.
We offer worldwide moving services to make sure your belongings arrive safely and on time. Whether you're relocating for work in Silicon Valley, studying in Los Angeles, or making a fresh start on the West Coast, our certified partners provide professional overseas removal services with 6-8 weeks shipping from UK ports (Felixstowe, Southampton, Liverpool) to California ports via the Panama Canal.
Compare prices from BAR & FIDI certified international house moving companies. No obligation. No hidden fees. One specialist mover matched to your route—not 10 different companies calling you.
International removal costs from UK to California are based on volume (cubic metres) and service level. California is typically 15-20% more expensive than East Coast USA destinations due to longer Panama Canal shipping routes.
| Property Size | Volume (m³) | Part Load (Shared) | Dedicated Container (20ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio/1-bed flat | 10-15m³ | £2,400-£3,800 | £4,800-£6,800 |
| 2-bed flat | 20-25m³ | £3,200-£5,200 | £6,200-£9,000 |
| 3-bed house | 30-35m³ | £4,000-£6,200 | £8,500-£12,500 |
| 4-5 bed house | 50-60m³ | Not suitable | £14,000-£21,000 |
| Origin | 20-Foot Container (£) | 40-Foot Container (£) |
|---|---|---|
| London, UK | £2,800 - £3,600 | £4,200 - £5,800 |
| Manchester, UK | £3,000 - £3,900 | £4,600 - £6,200 |
| Birmingham, UK | £2,900 - £3,800 | £4,400 - £6,000 |
| Edinburgh, UK | £3,100 - £4,000 | £4,700 - £6,400 |
| Bristol, UK | £2,850 - £3,700 | £4,300 - £5,900 |
| Paris, France | £3,200 - £4,100 | £4,900 - £6,500 |
| Berlin, Germany | £3,400 - £4,400 | £5,200 - £6,900 |
| Amsterdam, Netherlands | £3,300 - £4,200 | £5,000 - £6,700 |
Budget-friendly option for smaller shipments where your goods share container space. Perfect for 1-bed flats.
Perfect for families with enough goods to fill an entire container, ensuring exclusive use and added security.
Ideal for general cargo. Available in 20ft, 40ft, and high-cube options for California deliveries.
Temperature-controlled containers for perishable goods like food, pharmaceuticals, and chemicals.
Designed for oversized or bulky cargo with easy top loading/unloading.
Perfect for heavy machinery, vehicles, or irregularly shaped items.
Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Venice, Downtown LA, Pasadena, Glendale, Burbank, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Encino, Woodland Hills, Calabasas, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Irvine, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Anaheim
Financial District, Mission, Castro, Pacific Heights, Richmond, Sunset, SOMA, Oakland, Berkeley, Alameda, Walnut Creek, Pleasanton, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Redwood City, Burlingame, San Mateo, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Cupertino, San Jose
La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Coronado, Downtown San Diego, Hillcrest, North Park, South Park, Mission Hills, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Carlsbad, Oceanside, El Cajon, Santee, La Mesa, Spring Valley, Chula Vista, National City, Imperial Beach
State capital. Central Valley location. Good road access from ports.
Tech hub. Palo Alto, Menlo Park, Redwood City, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Cupertino. High-value electronics relocations.
Fresno, Bakersfield, Riverside, Anaheim, Long Beach, Irvine, Santa Barbara, Monterey, Napa Valley, Marin County, Sausalito, Mill Valley, Novato
~40% of all U.S. container imports. The busiest port complex in the United States. Your UK shipment typically arrives here before delivery to Southern California.
~3% of U.S. imports. Major gateway for Northern California with efficient operations and good road access.
Complete UK to California removals typically take 6-8 weeks door-to-door due to Panama Canal transit.
California is the only US state with significant additional import requirements on top of federal customs. Unlike shipping to New York or Florida, California requires two levels of inspection. Your chosen house moving companies must be aware of these regulations.
Tourist visa (B1/B2): You CANNOT claim duty-free. You'll pay duty on everything.
California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) inspects ALL international shipments entering California for agricultural material, pests, and prohibited items.
What triggers California inspection issues:
Important: California inspection adds 1-3 days to clearance time and approximately £150-300 in additional fees. This is unavoidable for all international shipments to California.
California has strict emissions regulations affecting certain products:
California has excellent shopping options and unique lifestyle considerations. Consider carefully what to ship from UK versus buy new in California. Our professional movers can help you decide.
We collect from anywhere in the UK for your California move. Our network covers all major cities and towns:
London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Sheffield, Leeds, Leicester, Coventry, Bradford, Nottingham, Hull, Newcastle, Stoke, Southampton, Derby, Portsmouth, Brighton, Plymouth
Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Belfast
Not all international movers and packers are equal. Look for these certifications to ensure quality and protection:
We're proud of our track record on Google Reviews.
See Our Google ReviewsReal feedback from people we've helped move abroad.
Focused on making our move effortless The two guys that turned up from the House Moving Company were on time and worked extremely hard. We were able to load up both lorrys that came and get to London and unload all in the space of 5 hours which was great. They both took great care with the items that were moved and were professional throughout. Livré avant la date prévue - incroyable! Hi Ben, Just a quick note to say thank you for your excellent service today. Your boys were most careful, efficient, fast and polite. All done and dusted before 2pm. Many many Thanks Victoria Troughton Timely Delivery of All Our Belongings The move went so well we were all wrapped up and having a cup of tea by lunch. Ben planned everything so well for us and the two movers arrived on time and were really helpful and spot-on. We are moving again in a few months and I would not hesitate to use the same service (and specific men!) or to recommend the service to friends. 6-8 weeks door-to-door via Panama Canal (21-28 days sea freight). Dedicated containers: 4-5 weeks. Peak season adds 1-2 weeks.
1-bed: £2,400-£3,800 (part-load) or £4,800-£6,800 (dedicated). 3-bed: £4,000-£6,200 (part-load) or £8,500-£12,500 (dedicated).
Most arrive at Port of Los Angeles or Long Beach (~40% of US imports). Some at Port of Oakland for SF Bay Area.
No. UK 240V vs USA 110V. Sell UK appliances, buy US versions. Exception: Phone chargers/laptops (check label).
Storage available: Port $50-80/m³/week, Warehouse $80-120/m³/week. Allow 1-2 week buffer.
No, if you have valid visa/Green Card, owned goods 12+ months, personal use. Tourist visas pay duty on everything.
Yes. Strict agricultural inspections for plants, seeds, wood, food. Allow 1-2 extra days for biosecurity screening.
Yes (£800-1,500 shipping) but: (1) Right-hand drive issues, (2) Strict CA emissions (CARB), (3) High parking/insurance. Sell in UK recommended.
Tell us your California destination and we'll match you with a certified house moving company who knows the Panama Canal route.
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