VerifiedGet matched with vetted international mover We match you with only accredited partner for your route: fewer calls, less stress, and a clearer quote.
The USA is one of the most popular destinations for British movers. Finance and technology professionals relocate to New York City, San Francisco and Chicago on work visas; families follow partners or seek a change of lifestyle across the East Coast, West Coast and Sun Belt states; and retirees move to be closer to grown-up children already settled in America. Moving to the USA is fundamentally different from European moves: everything travels by sea, transit takes 21 to 35 days, and US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) clearance requires specific documentation that is unlike anything used for EU destinations.
International Removals Companies is a free route matching platform operated by Darren Benjamin since 2010 (DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, company number 07425576). We match each USA enquiry with one suitable FIDI-certified removal company based on your UK origin, US destination state, timeline and volume. Your details are not passed to all 10 companies. One contact. One quote.
UK to USA moves use sea freight, priced by volume (cubic metres or cubic feet) in either a shared container (LCL) or a dedicated container (FCL). These are indicative guides only. The matched removal company gives the confirmed price after survey.
LCL shared container
East Coast (New York): from approx. £1,800 to £2,800
West Coast (LA): from approx. £2,200 to £3,200
20ft FCL dedicated container
East Coast (New York): from approx. £3,500 to £5,500
West Coast (LA): from approx. £4,500 to £6,500
40ft FCL dedicated container
East Coast (New York): from approx. £5,500 to £8,500
West Coast (LA): from approx. £6,500 to £10,000
Typically included: Professional export packing, UK port delivery, sea freight, ISF filing, US CBP customs clearance (CBP Form 3299), US destination delivery and goods-in-transit insurance. LCL transit times are 25 to 35 days; FCL 21 to 28 days. Air freight is available (5 to 10 days) but is significantly more expensive for household volumes. Confirm exact inclusions with your matched removal company before booking.
All prices are indicative planning guides only. The matched FIDI-certified removal company confirms the actual price after a home survey.
These 10 international moving companies in the USA hold FIDI FAIM certification and, for UK-origin moves, BAR Overseas accreditation. The list includes US-based operators, UK specialists with established USA routes, and global companies with permanent US offices. All specialise in CBP customs clearance and ISF filing for UK to USA sea freight moves. FIDI FAIM requires more than 200 independent quality checks and an Ernst and Young audit every three years.
PSS International Removals is a UK-based family company with over 40 years of experience and the USA as one of its most active intercontinental routes. FIDI FAIM certified, BAR Overseas accredited and FIDI Top Performer, PSS provides door-to-door USA removals to all 50 states, with a dedicated Move Manager handling the ISF pre-filing coordination, CBP Form 3299 documentation and US customs broker liaison throughout the sea freight transit. Its Euromovers network connects UK origins to US destination agents efficiently.
Suited to: UK families and individuals moving to the USA who want a specialist British-based company with a long USA route track record and a single named Move Manager handling documentation from survey to US delivery.
Crown Relocations is a global FIDI FAIM certified company with over 207 facilities across 54 countries, handling approximately 120,000 moves annually. Its dedicated USA operations provide full-service corporate and private relocations from the UK to all major US cities, including container consolidation at Tilbury or Southampton, CBP customs clearance coordination and door-to-door US delivery via its own US warehouse and crew network. Crown's size gives it direct US operational infrastructure rather than reliance on third-party agents.
Suited to: families and corporate transferees needing full-service USA removals managed by a company with direct US infrastructure, guaranteed container frequency and multi-city US coverage from a single provider.
Santa Fe Relocation is a FIDI FAIM and IAM certified international relocation company with a London office and USA among its core corporate routes. The company provides complete USA relocation management including pre-move surveys, sea freight coordination, CBP customs documentation, and destination settling-in services for US arrivals covering school-search, orientation, temporary housing and visa process guidance. Its UK-to-USA corporate experience is well established in finance, technology and professional services sectors.
Suited to: corporate transferees and companies relocating employees from the UK to the USA who need end-to-end move management including US destination support and settling-in services.
AGS Worldwide Movers is a FIDI FAIM certified global removal company with offices across five continents and a USA operation that handles both direct UK to USA sea freight and connecting services for customers moving to the USA from Asia, Africa, the Middle East and other origins. For UK to USA moves, AGS manages LCL and FCL container services, ISF pre-filing, CBP Form 3299 processing and final delivery across all US states through its American partner network.
Suited to: customers relocating to the USA from the UK or from other global origins who want a company with a five-continent network and established US customs clearance capability.
Graebel Movers International is a Denver, Colorado-based FIDI FAIM Top Performer certified company with over 65 years of international moving experience and particular strength in US-inbound moves from the UK and Europe. The company holds ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management) and ISO 14001:2015 (Environmental Management) certification alongside FIDI FAIM, and received FIDI's top-performer ranking with zero non-compliant values in its last Ernst and Young audit. As a US-based company, Graebel manages the American delivery side of the move with its own domestic infrastructure.
Suited to: corporate assignees and private movers who want a US-headquartered, FIDI Top Performer company managing the American end of the move with domestic US infrastructure and the depth of 65 years of US-bound international relocations.
Allied Van Lines (part of the SIRVA group) is one of America's oldest and largest moving companies, founded in 1928 and operating through over 1,400 locations in more than 170 countries. Its international operations through SIRVA handle UK to USA sea freight moves with an unmatched domestic US delivery network that reaches all 50 states including remote and rural destinations that smaller international companies cannot serve directly. It processes hundreds of thousands of relocations per year globally.
Suited to: customers moving to smaller US cities, rural areas or states outside the major coastal corridors who want the broadest possible US domestic delivery coverage backed by an internationally experienced parent network.
Founded in 1884, John Mason International is a FIDI FAIM and BAR Overseas accredited UK removal company with a long intercontinental history including the USA as one of its most active routes. It is particularly well regarded for its shared container (LCL) service, which offers customers moving smaller volumes to the USA a cost-effective option on regular UK to USA departure schedules. Dedicated Move Managers handle the ISF coordination and CBP Form 3299 documentation as standard.
Suited to: UK customers with smaller household volumes moving to the USA who want a long-established, award-winning company offering a cost-effective shared container service on regular schedules.
White and Company is a FIDI FAIM and BAR Overseas accredited UK removal company and founding member of the BAR with an established USA route covering both East and West Coast destinations. The company handles complete export packing at UK origin, container loading at Tilbury or Southampton, ISF pre-filing via its US customs broker, CBP Form 3299 processing and delivery to all US states through its OMNI and FIDI partner network in the USA. Its US partner relationships cover all major metropolitan areas.
Suited to: UK households moving to the USA who want a senior BAR founding member with a proven USA route, full export packing service and established US delivery partner relationships covering major coastal and inland cities.
Anglo Pacific International is a UK-based BAR Overseas accredited removal company specialising in sea freight to the USA, Australia and New Zealand, and specifically experienced in the combined household goods and vehicle shipping service that the USA route demands. The company handles FCL and LCL container moves to all major US ports, manages ISF pre-filing and CBP clearance, and coordinates vehicle shipping in the same container or on a separate RORO service when customers are shipping a qualifying UK vehicle alongside their household goods.
Suited to: UK customers moving household goods and a qualifying vehicle to the USA in a single coordinated shipment, or those moving to US coastal cities well served by the main UK to USA container shipping lanes.
Britannia Movers International is a FIDI FAIM certified, BAR Overseas accredited UK removal company with a national UK branch network and established intercontinental shipping routes including the UK to USA corridor. The company handles the full UK collection environment, professional export packing to US export standards, container loading and US customs clearance coordination. Its UK branch coverage means customers across England, Scotland and Wales have access to a local Britannia branch for the pre-move survey and collection.
Suited to: UK households moving to the USA who want a company with local UK branch access across the country for the survey and collection, backed by FIDI FAIM international certification for the sea freight and US delivery stages.
UK to USA is an intercontinental sea freight move. All household goods travel by container ship. There is no lorry-and-Channel-Tunnel option. Understanding the sea freight process and its timeline is essential for planning your US arrival date correctly.
Professional export packers collect from your UK address and pack goods to international sea freight standards: double-walled cartons, furniture blankets, custom crating for fragile or high-value items. Goods are packed to withstand a container ship crossing, which involves significant movement and temperature variation.
The Importer Security Filing (ISF), also known as the 10+2 rule, must be submitted by a licensed US customs broker to CBP at least 24 hours before goods are loaded onto the vessel at the UK port. This is a legal requirement for all sea freight entering the USA. Failure to file ISF results in a USD 5,000 penalty per violation. Your matched removal company coordinates this with its US customs broker. You provide the information; they file it.
Container vessels from UK ports (Tilbury or Southampton) to US East Coast ports (New York/Newark, Baltimore) take 14 to 18 days at sea. To West Coast ports (Los Angeles/Long Beach, Seattle) the sea transit is 21 to 28 days via the Panama Canal or around Cape Horn.
On arrival at the US port, goods enter a CBP inspection process. For moves using CBP Form 3299 with correct documentation, clearance is typically 2 to 5 business days. Some shipments are selected for physical inspection, which can add 3 to 7 business days. Pre-filing all documents before vessel departure reduces the risk of delays.
After port clearance, goods travel by road from the port to your US address. Inland delivery distances vary greatly: New York City to Manhattan is minutes; New York port to Texas is 2 to 3 days of domestic trucking. Confirm the inland delivery time with your matched removal company, as it is not included in the sea transit figure.
The USA has specific and recently updated rules for dogs entering the country. Cats are subject to fewer federal requirements but state-level rules may apply. Hawaii and Alaska have significantly different requirements from the continental USA. Read this section carefully before booking pet travel.
Cats: No federal vaccination requirements for cats entering the USA from the UK. A health certificate from a licensed veterinarian is strongly recommended. Some US states have additional requirements; confirm for your destination state.
Hawaii (dogs and cats): Hawaii has some of the strictest pet import rules in the USA due to its rabies-free status. Dogs and cats require: rabies vaccination at least 90 days before arrival, a specific Hawaii-approved rabies antibody blood test (RNATT), microchip, and advance approval from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. The 5-day or less quarantine programme requires all documents to be submitted at least 10 days before arrival. Without correct documentation, pets may face 120-day quarantine. Hawaii is treated as a completely separate destination from the continental USA.
Alaska: No specific quarantine but has additional permit requirements. Confirm current Alaska state rules for your pet species before travel.
Pets cannot travel in a container with household goods. They travel by air, on a separate booking entirely from the removal shipment. For East Coast US cities, a direct London to New York flight with your dog (in cargo hold) is typically 7 to 8 hours. Plan the pet air travel booking alongside but separate from your sea freight booking. Confirm that your chosen US arrival airport is on the CDC's designated airports list for dogs vaccinated outside the USA.
The USA uses US Dollars (USD). Your removal is quoted in GBP. The USA is the first destination in this series that uses USD rather than EUR, and the GBP/USD exchange rate is distinct from GBP/EUR. All US property purchases, living costs and savings transfers are in USD.
US property values are high in absolute terms in the cities most popular with British movers. New York City, San Francisco, Boston, Los Angeles and Seattle regularly feature average property prices of USD 600,000 to USD 1,500,000 or more. At typical exchange levels, a 5% movement in the GBP/USD rate on a USD 700,000 property changes the sterling cost by approximately £25,000 to £30,000. US property conveyancing (from signed purchase agreement through escrow to closing) typically runs 30 to 60 days, during which the rate can shift materially.
Foreign nationals (including British citizens) can purchase real estate in the USA without restriction. There is no equivalent of Switzerland's Lex Koller. The process runs from signed purchase agreement through a title search, escrow and title insurance to closing. Closing costs typically add 2% to 5% of the purchase price (title insurance, attorney fees, recording fees, lender fees if mortgaging). All closing payments are in USD and must pass through the escrow account.
A currency specialist can lock in today's GBP/USD rate for the USD transfer required at closing, protecting against the rate moving during the escrow period. Given the high absolute USD amounts involved in US property purchases, the potential saving from forward contract protection is significant.
To receive USD in the USA you need a US bank account. Most US banks require either a Social Security Number (SSN) — available once you have a US work visa — or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) from the IRS for those without SSN eligibility. Some banks (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo) allow account opening with a passport and proof of US address. Allow two to four weeks from arrival to have an account fully operational for large transfers.
One practical financial challenge not always discussed before a USA move: your UK credit history does not transfer to the USA. You will start with no US credit score, which can affect apartment rental applications, mobile phone contracts and financing. Secured credit cards and credit-building products help establish history in the first year. Factor this into accommodation planning if renting on arrival.
If you later sell a US property, the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act (FIRPTA) requires the buyer to withhold 15% of the gross sale price and remit it to the IRS unless specific exemptions apply. This is a US tax implication to plan for before purchasing rather than after. Seek independent US tax advice before and during your move.
Vehicles manufactured 25 or more years ago are exempt from FMVSS and EPA conformity requirements and can be imported into the USA for road use. This is the only straightforward route to importing and registering a UK car for road use in most US states. If you own a classic or vintage UK car over 25 years old, it can be shipped and registered. Duties and taxes still apply unless qualifying under CBP Form 3299 personal effects rules.
Non-conforming vehicles under 25 years old can be imported using a NHTSA-approved Registered Importer (RI), who converts the vehicle to meet FMVSS standards. Given the cost of conversion (commonly USD 20,000 to USD 50,000 or more), this is rarely cost-effective for a standard UK family car. Occasionally used for rare or high-value vehicles where the cost is justified.
For most people moving from the UK to the USA with a standard right-hand drive UK car, the practical advice is to sell the car in the UK before moving and purchase a left-hand drive vehicle in the USA after arrival. US car prices vary by state; Texas, Florida and the South tend to offer lower prices than California or New York. Factor in: you will need a US driving licence (convert your UK licence) and US car insurance, which will initially be expensive without US insurance history.
If your vehicle qualifies (25 years old or older, or a non-road-use vehicle such as a collector's item), it typically travels by RORO (roll-on roll-off) vessel or in a shared container. Transit to East Coast US ports takes 14 to 18 days. The vehicle requires: US customs bond, CBP entry (separate from household goods), EPA and DOT compliance documentation for sub-25-year vehicles using the RI route, and state-level DMV registration after arrival. Anglo Pacific International is specifically experienced in UK to USA vehicle shipping and can advise on the RI process if applicable.
Most US states allow new residents to drive on a UK driving licence for 30 to 90 days (varies by state), after which you must obtain a US state driving licence. Most states require a written theory test and sometimes a practical test; some states (including California) require both tests even with a valid UK licence. Apply at your state's DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) office after arriving.
UK storage is needed when your US property is not available on arrival, when you are moving into corporate furnished accommodation first, or when your UK property sale completes before the US start date. Options include:
Indicative UK container storage cost: from approximately £80 to £150 per container equivalent per month. Confirm with your matched removal company.
The USA has one of the world's most developed self-storage industries. Major national chains (Public Storage, Extra Space Storage, CubeSmart, Life Storage) operate thousands of facilities across all 50 states, typically adjacent to residential areas in every major city. Climate-controlled units are widely available and essential for electronics, wooden furniture and sensitive items in states with extreme heat or humidity.
Confirm free period and ongoing rates with your matched removal company before booking.
Storage charges are separate from the removal price. US storage costs are quoted in USD and vary significantly by city and neighbourhood. Confirm inclusions, free period and costs per additional month with your matched removal company before booking.
International removal companies typically offer two levels of goods-in-transit insurance:
1. Limited liability: Cover based on the weight of your goods (typically £40 to £60 per kilogram). For a 2-bedroom household at around 2,000 kg, this gives approximately £80,000 to £120,000 of cover, typically well below the replacement value. This is the default level if you do not specify otherwise.
2. All-risks cover (full replacement value): Cover based on the declared replacement value of your goods. All-risks is strongly recommended for UK to USA sea freight moves, where goods spend 21 to 45 days at sea in a container subject to ocean movement and temperature variation, plus multiple handling points at UK port, US port, and inland delivery.
Sea freight carries additional risks versus road freight: containers experience significant movement in heavy seas, temperature extremes in various climates, and longer periods between inspection. All-risks cover with a declared replacement value inventory is the appropriate standard for any intercontinental container move. Costs typically run 2% to 4% of declared replacement value. Always confirm whether cover is all-risks or limited liability before signing.
US customs for household goods is handled by Customs and Border Protection (CBP, cbp.gov). The key document is CBP Form 3299: Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles. There is no equivalent of the EU's Transfer of Residence certificate; instead, eligibility is based on the 1-year ownership and use rule.
To qualify for duty-free entry, household goods must have been available for use or used in a household where you were a resident for at least one year. The year does not need to be continuous. Goods must not be intended for resale or for another person. This is a stricter rule than the 6-month period required by most EU countries. New items purchased within the past year (furniture bought for the move, new appliances, recently purchased electronics) do not qualify for duty-free entry and may be subject to US import duty.
Firearms and weapons: US firearms regulations are federal and state-specific and highly complex. Importing any firearm into the USA requires ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) approval and must comply with federal law. Certain firearms are prohibited outright. Do not include firearms in your shipment without prior ATF clearance.
Alcohol: Personal effects rules do not cover alcohol. Importing alcohol is regulated by the TTB (Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau) and is subject to duty. Wine and spirits cannot typically be included in household goods shipments without specific licensing.
Protected wildlife (CITES): Items made from protected species (ivory, certain leathers, coral) are prohibited without CITES documentation.
Food and agricultural items: USDA APHIS regulates the importation of food, plants and soil into the USA. Many food items are prohibited; all must be declared.
Medication: Prescription pharmaceuticals must comply with FDA rules. Quantities should not exceed a 90-day personal supply and must be accompanied by valid prescriptions.
Cash: Cash and monetary instruments over USD 10,000 must be declared on FinCEN Form 105.
International Removals Companies was founded by Darren Benjamin in 2010. Company number 07425576, registered in England and Wales. The 10 companies listed include US-based operators, UK specialists with established USA sea freight routes, and global companies with permanent US infrastructure. Accreditations are verified independently on a rolling basis.
British Association of Removers Overseas membership. Independent quality checks, Furniture Ombudsman dispute resolution and adherence to published industry service standards. Mandatory for all UK-origin international moves in the network.
The international quality standard for removal companies. More than 200 independent quality checks. Audited every three years by Ernst and Young for operational excellence, financial stability and customer service. The only recognised quality certification for professional international moving globally.
Demonstrated UK to USA sea freight operations. Expertise in ISF pre-filing, CBP Form 3299 documentation, US customs broker relationships, container port operations at New York, Los Angeles, Baltimore and Seattle, and inland delivery across all 50 US states.
Valid UK passport, US visa or immigration status documentation, CBP Form 3299 (Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles), and a detailed numbered inventory with replacement values. Your removal company also coordinates an Importer Security Filing (ISF) submitted by the US customs broker at least 24 hours before goods are loaded at the UK port. Your matched company confirms the full document list for your specific visa type and US destination before you book.
LCL (shared container) to East Coast: 25 to 35 days. FCL (dedicated container) to East Coast: 21 to 28 days. LCL to West Coast: 35 to 45 days. FCL to West Coast: 28 to 38 days. Air freight: 5 to 10 days. The transit time is the sea journey plus UK port loading (3 to 5 days) plus US CBP clearance (2 to 5 days) plus US inland delivery. Plan your US arrival and accommodation date accordingly.
Household goods that have been owned and in regular use for at least one year may enter the USA duty-free using CBP Form 3299. Goods owned for less than one year, alcohol, tobacco and commercial goods do not qualify and are subject to US import duties (rates vary by item category). Your matched removal company's US customs broker handles the CBP clearance process. Check current rules at cbp.gov.
Standard right-hand drive UK cars under 25 years old cannot typically be registered for US road use without expensive NHTSA/FMVSS and EPA modifications that usually cost more than the car is worth. Vehicles 25 years old or older (by manufacture date) are exempt from these requirements and can be imported. Most people sell their UK car before leaving and buy a left-hand drive vehicle in the USA. Anglo Pacific International is specifically experienced in UK to USA vehicle shipping for qualifying vehicles.
Yes. Dogs must be at least 6 months old, microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and must arrive through one of 18 CDC-designated airports (as dogs vaccinated outside the USA). Complete the CDC Dog Import Form online before travel. A health certificate from a licensed vet is required. Cats have fewer federal requirements but carry a vet health certificate. Hawaii requires a separate process with rabies antibody blood tests and may impose quarantine without correct documentation. Check current CDC rules at cdc.gov/importation before booking.
The USA uses USD, not EUR. A 5% GBP/USD rate movement on a USD 700,000 US property changes the sterling cost by approximately £25,000 to £30,000. US property conveyancing (purchase agreement to closing) typically runs 30 to 60 days. A forward contract with a currency specialist locks in today's GBP/USD rate for the closing payment. You need a US bank account and SSN or ITIN before receiving large USD transfers. FIRPTA withholding may apply when you sell US property. Seek advice from an FCA-authorised currency specialist and a US tax adviser.
UK depot storage: from approximately £80 to £150 per container equivalent per month. US self-storage is widely available near all US cities via Public Storage, Extra Space, CubeSmart and others; climate-controlled units from approximately USD 60 to USD 350 per month depending on size and city. Many full-service removal companies include 30 days free US storage with the move service. Confirm free period and costs with your matched company before booking.
ISF (Importer Security Filing, the "10+2 rule") is a mandatory CBP requirement for all sea freight entering the USA. It must be filed by a licensed US customs broker at least 24 hours before goods are loaded onto the vessel in the UK. Failure to file results in a USD 5,000 penalty. Your matched international removal company handles this via its US customs broker as part of the standard service. You provide the information; they file it.
Comparison sites send your details to multiple companies simultaneously, generating several sales calls. International Removals Companies matches you with one suitable FIDI-certified removal company based on your UK origin, US destination state, timeline and volume. That one company contacts you, confirms the service scope and gives the confirmed quote. No spam. No multiple firms. The matching service is free.
Tell us your UK origin and US destination state. We match you with one certified international removal company from our network. One contact. One confirmed quote. The matching service is free.
Get Your Free USA Removals Quote📞 07551 855 064 | WhatsApp: +44 7551 855 064
International Removals Companies — DATACONTEXT (UK) LTD, company 07425576. Norman House, Abbey Street, London SE1 3DH.