Get a cost for shipping containers to the United States with our online international container shipping rate calculator.
International container shipping is the best way to transport a large volume of household goods or personal effects from the UK to the United States. We offer a very comprehensive and cost-effective container shipping service, including door-to-door collection and delivery, professional packing service and customs clearance.
We help many people move their belongings and goods to the U.S. so that we can offer very competitive shipping rates for everything from 20ft and 40ft containers for larger moves and economical shared containers or groupage service for smaller moves. We ship to all major ports in the USA, including New York, Houston and Miami on the East Coast, and Los Angeles, Seatle and San Francisco on the West Coast. Our door-to-door service means we deliver to every destination across America.
Don’t worry if you’re not experienced in international removals and shipping containers, as we will appoint you a personal Move Manager to organise your shipment, guide you through all the paperwork and take all the stress out of your move.
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How to move from the UK to the USA using our International Container Shipping Service
Cost of Shipping Container to the USA from UK
We aim to provide the cheapest container shipping service whilst not compromising on quality of service. As we undertake many moves and shipments to the USA, we can offer very competitive shipping rates.
There are many factors that make up the cost of shipping containers to the United States. These include:
- The volume of goods being shipped
- Packing services
- Container shipping freight rates
- Collection and delivery to and from the port
- Customs clearance
- Customs duties and port fees
- Time of year / current exchange rates
How Door-To-Door Container Shipping To the USA Works
We aim to make the international removals and shipping process as simple and stress-free as possible:
- A surveyor will calculate the volume of goods you send to allocate the most appropriately sized shipping container.
- Your Move Manager will organise the logistics of your move and guide you through completing the required shipping and customs documents.
- On move day, our packing team will arrive to expertly pack all your belongings and furniture and load them onto the shipping container.
- For shared container moves, we will take your belongings to our depot for loading.
- Once your shipment arrives at its destination port in the USA, our customs agents will handle customs clearance on your behalf.
- Once cleared from customs and any fees or duties paid, we will arrange delivery to your new address in the USA.
Shipping container options and sizes for the USA
We offer a full range of shipping container sizes to suit your needs. You don’t need to worry about the container size at this stage. Our professional International Removal Surveyors will analyse your requirements to calculate your volume accurately.
Full Container Loads (FCL)
Full Container Loads (FCL)For larger shipments, you can have a dedicated container for your sole use. Different sizes are available depending on your needs.
Standard 20ft Shipping Container
Probably the most common for household removals to the USA, our 20ft shipping containers are approximately 1,170 cubic feet volume, which is enough for a typical 3 bedroom house.
Standard 40ft Shipping Container
If you have a larger amount of furniture and household goods, our 40ft shipping container is 2,386 cubic feet, which is enough for a typical 4-5 bedroom house and can also fit a car or vehicle.
40ft HC Shipping Container (High Cube)
The high cube shipping container is similar to the standard 40ft but is slightly higher to allow for more volume (around 2690 cubic feet).
Shared Container Loads (LCL) – Groupage
Using our groupage service for smaller shipments to the U.S. is much more economical than using a small-sized shipping container (such as 8ft or 10ft). Here, your belongings are packed and consolidated together with other customers to save money by sharing the costs of a shipping container. This is also known as Less Than Container Load (LCL).
Container shipping is the standard sea-freight option for moving a household from the UK to the USA. A 20ft container suits many medium household moves, a 40ft container gives larger homes more space, and groupage lets smaller shipments share a container instead of paying for unused capacity.
The quote depends on volume and destination as much as container size. East Coast delivery is usually cheaper and faster than a move requiring a long inland journey or West Coast routing, while customs paperwork and final delivery need to be included when you compare prices.
Simpsons has over 35 years of international removals experience and provides container shipping across the USA, with professional packing, full and shared containers, customs-clearance support, storage and door-to-door delivery. A home or video survey confirms the volume before you commit to a container size.
Planning a container move to America? Get a free international removals quote based on your actual household volume.
How Much Does Container Shipping to USA from UK Cost?
Current Simpsons guidance puts a small shared shipment of around 250 cubic feet at roughly £1,200 to £2,500, a 20ft container around £5,700 to £7,100 and a 40ft container around £8,200 to £10,600. These are planning ranges, not fixed quotes, because destination, packing, access and freight conditions change the final figure.
Full Container Load Shipping from UK to USA Prices
| Shipping option | Best suited for | Typical capacity | Current indicative guide |
| Shared container | Small / part household | Pay by volume | £1,200 to £6,000 depending on volume |
| 20ft FCL | Around a 3-bedroom household | About 1,170 cu ft | £5,700 to £7,100 |
| 40ft FCL | Larger 4 to 5-bedroom move | About 2,386 cu ft | £8,200 to £10,600 |
| Air freight | Urgent boxes or essentials | Priced by weight | Higher cost per kg |
The cheapest option is the one that matches the volume. A full container can be poor value when half empty, while groupage becomes less attractive as the shipment approaches full-container size.
Cheapest Way to Send a 20ft Container from UK to USA
Reduce volume before the survey, compare door-to-door quotes on the same scope and keep dates flexible where possible. Do not save money by stripping out customs support or destination delivery unless you are genuinely prepared to organise those stages yourself.
The Best Way to Ship Household Goods to USA from UK
For a full home, sea freight in a sole-use container gives the strongest balance of capacity, protection and schedule control. For a smaller move, a shared container is usually better value because you pay for only the space you use.
The container choice should follow a survey, not the number of bedrooms alone. Loft contents, garage items, garden furniture and large wardrobes can move a household into a larger volume band.
Shipping Furniture and Personal Effects Safely
Professional export packing is worth considering for furniture, glass, artwork and electronics. It protects the goods during handling and also produces a clearer numbered inventory for US customs.
For higher-value items, discuss custom crating and transit protection before packing day so the valuation and packing method match the cover selected.
Door-to-Door vs Port-to-Door Container Delivery to the USA
Door-to-door shipping costs more than ocean freight alone, but it reduces the number of services you need to coordinate. Compare the responsibility at each end before deciding that a port-based quote is cheaper.
| Service type | What it includes | Customer responsibility | Best fit |
| Door-to-door | UK collection, packing, freight, customs support, US delivery | Documents and access | Families wanting one coordinated move |
| Port-to-door | Ocean freight plus US delivery | UK-side loading / export arrangements | Experienced self-packers |
| Port-to-port | Sea freight only | Both-end handling, clearance and delivery | Experienced shippers |
| Self-load container | Container provided for loading | Packing and securing | Hands-on movers with suitable access |
For most household relocations, door-to-door is easier to budget because destination handling and final delivery are considered before the shipment leaves the UK.
Typical Shipping Times for Containers from UK to USA
Current Simpsons guidance gives around 2 to 6 weeks to the US port for a full or sole-use container and around 7 to 10 weeks for groupage. Inland delivery and customs clearance add time after the vessel arrives.
| Stage / service | Typical guide | What can extend it | Planning point |
| Full container sea transit | 2 to 6 weeks to port | Port schedule, route | Faster than groupage |
| Shared container | 7 to 10 weeks to port | Consolidation | Allow more flexibility |
| US customs clearance | Additional | Documentation or inspection | Keep forms ready before arrival |
| Inland delivery | Additional | Distance, access, scheduling | West Coast / inland routes may take longer |
Do not treat the vessel arrival as the delivery date. Temporary accommodation and essentials should cover the period until customs and final delivery are complete.
Customs Duties and Paperwork for UK to USA Container Shipping
Used household effects can often enter the United States duty-free when they meet the US Customs and Border Protection conditions. CBP says household effects generally need to have been used abroad for at least one year and must be for personal use rather than sale.
For an unaccompanied household shipment, CBP Form 3299 is the core declaration, supported by a complete inventory or packing list. CBP’s current household-goods guidance explains that the Port Director may ask for evidence of the one-year use condition.
Prepare:
- CBP Form 3299: Declaration for free entry of unaccompanied articles.
- Detailed inventory: Clear descriptions of the shipment contents.
- Passport and immigration documents: As required for the entry.
- Shipping documents: Bill of lading and mover paperwork.
- Evidence for special items: Vehicles, food, alcohol, firearms and regulated goods follow separate rules.
Recently purchased goods and restricted items can receive different customs treatment, so tell the mover about them before packing rather than assuming everything in a household container is automatically duty-free.
Shared Container Shipping Options UK to USA for Small Moves
Groupage is the economical option when your goods do not fill a container. Your shipment is packed separately but shares container space and freight cost with other customers heading to the same region.
The trade-off is time. A shared container waits for consolidation and all consignments must progress through destination handling, so it is better for flexible moves than for a fixed delivery week.
Insurance Options for Container Shipping from UK to USA
Transit protection should reflect the declared value of the shipment and how it is packed. Ask what happens with owner-packed boxes, fragile items, high-value pieces and pairs or sets, then choose the cover before collection.
Do not assume the lowest freight quote includes the same protection as a full removals quote. Compare cover and exclusions separately.
Choosing Container Shipping to the USA with Simpsons Removals
The container decision comes back to volume. Current Simpsons pricing starts around £1,200 for a small shared shipment, while a 20ft container is roughly £5,700 to £7,100 and a 40ft container around £8,200 to £10,600, with destination and services changing the final quote.
Timing follows the same pattern. Full containers typically reach the US port in around 2 to 6 weeks, while groupage takes around 7 to 10 weeks because the load needs consolidation before sailing.
Simpsons can coordinate the survey, packing, container choice, customs paperwork and delivery across the USA, so the quote reflects the whole move rather than the ocean leg alone.
Not sure which container size your USA move needs? Get a free international removals quote.
Contact our International Removals Consultants for advice and to get a quote for Moving to the USA
Our International removals consultant will make your international move to the USA easier. The international removal consultants will be able to advise you based on your specific needs and requirements. Due to the number of overseas moves we conduct, our team is highly knowledgeable about the removals process and will be extremely helpful.
We recommend you book a home or video survey to get a more accurate quote for your international removals from the UK to the USA. For a home survey, our surveyors will provide you with a quote based on the volume of goods and the size of the move.
However, if you wish to receive a quick free quote for moving to the USA, visit our cost calculator to receive a free quote.
Simpsons is a reliable & trustworthy removal company that you can be sure will offer a great service for your move to the USA. Contact us today.
the USA International Container Shipping FAQ Guide
How long do container shipping and removals to the USA from the UK take?
Shipping containers to the USA from the UK usually takes 2-6 weeks for full load / sole use container containers.
It will take up to 7-10 weeks for part load (groupage) container shipping service service.
It may take longer to deliver to inland destinations.
These shipping times are for delivery to port only, you will need to allow additional time for customs clearance on arrival in the USA.
How much does it cost to ship containers to the USA from the UK?
The cost of container shipping and removals to the USA varies depending on the quantity you are taking and where in the USA you are moving to. The good news is that, as so many people ship their belongings from the UK to the USA, the cost is surprisingly cheap – especially to the main coastal ports such as New York, Washington, Miami and Boston.
Sea freight is the most economical way to transport your belongings, and costs per cubic foot decrease significantly as volume increases. You’ll certainly find that it is a lot cheaper to use a removal or shipping company to move your furniture and other items than to replace them all when you arrive in the USA. Many have made the mistake of buying all their goods in the USA and found that it was much more expensive than using a removal company.
We can deliver your goods and personal effects across the whole of the United States. No matter which city or state you are moving to, whether inland or on the coast makes no difference.
We ship across the States via all the major ports in the USA, including:
- Port of Los Angeles, California
- Port of New Jersey and New York
- Port of Long Beach
- Port of Savannah, Georgia
- Port of Houston, Texas
- Port of Virginia
- Port of Seattle and Tacoma in Washington, Northwest
- Port of Charleston, South Carolina
- Port of Oakland, San Francisco Bay
- Port of Miami, Florida
At Simpsons International Removals, we understand that everyone’s needs are different when it comes to moving to the USA. Whether you’re moving to a major city or a regional area, we provide a high-quality removal service to any location in North America from the UK. Our team of experts will work closely with you to create a customized plan that meets all of your requirements and ensures a stress-free and seamless move.
Customs clearance is an essential aspect of shipping your furniture and belongings to the USA. It’s crucial to comply with customs regulations to avoid delays during the customs clearance process. At Simpson’s, we understand the importance of customs clearance and assist our customers throughout the process.
When you use our removal services for shipping to the USA, our team of experts will work with you to ensure that all your items are packed and shipped according to the USAn customs regulations. Our move manager will guide you through the customs clearance process, providing you with all the necessary information and documentation needed for customs clearance.
Our team will also assist you with preparing and submitting all the necessary customs forms and paperwork. We understand that the customs process can be complex and confusing, so we take the time to explain everything to you and answer any questions you may have.
Container packing service for removals to the USA
It is essential that your shipping container is packed professionally both to maximise the space and also to ensure your belongings are secure for their journey across the high seas.
Our expert packing teams specialise solely in international removals and are highly experienced in export wrapping and antique packing of delicate items.
We provide a range of packing solutions and services, including furniture, personal effects, pictures, TVs, and any other special items. They will ensure that everything arrives in the same condition it was in the UK.
International Container Shipping Service to the USA from the UK
- Door to door Service to the USA from the UK
- Personally assigned International Removals Move Manager
- International Removals to the USA Adviser
- Export wrapping and packing services for the USA removals
- Professionally trained International Removals packers
- Inventory for the USAn customs purposes
- Assistance with all International Removals documentation
- Standard removals service customs clearance included
- Free Home Survey
- Antique and bespoke packing materials as required
- Use of accredited international shipping lines
- Storage facilities in the UK or the USA if needed
- 20ft or 40ft container shipping service
- Full Container or Part Load Container / Shared Container
- Moving furniture to the USA
At Simpsons International Removals, we understand everyone’s needs differ when moving furniture from the UK to the USA. Our team of experts will work closely with you to create a customized plan that meets all your requirements and ensures a stress-free and seamless move.
International Marine Insurance for shipping to the USA
We would recommend taking out Shipment Protection Cover for peace of mind whilst your belongings are on their journey.
Whilst we have expert packers who specialise in international removals and use accredited shipping lines that take special care of personal shipping containers, we cannot control every eventuality.
Just as you will likely have home contents insurance in the UK and travel insurance for your family, we recommend you discuss with your Move Manager the available options for protecting your belongings whist they are in transit.
Our vehicle container shipping service is ideal if you’re considering bringing your car with you to the USA. Shipping cars to the U.S. can be challenging due to the strict import regulations. You will, therefore, need to check that your vehicle is eligible for importing into the United States before you consider shipping options.
Shipping your car to the USA can be cost-effective, especially if you ship it in the same container as your household items. This ensures that everything arrives simultaneously, making the move more convenient and efficient. Our car shipping service is designed to make the process as smooth and stress-free as possible, ensuring that your car arrives safely and on time in the USA.
There are various options, including sole use of 20ft or 40ft shipping containers if you are shipping household belongings with your car. Our shared / less-than-container load (LCL) service is very economical if you ship a car or other vehicle.
Before shipping your car to the USA, there are some important import requirements that you need to be aware of. Our team of experts can guide you through the process, providing all the information you need to ensure your car meets all the necessary import requirements. We will work with you to create a customized plan that meets all your requirements and ensures a seamless and stress-free move.
We only use accredited shipping lines to ensure the highest standards of service and reliability.
The actual container shipping line we use will depend on the shipping schedule and shipping rates available at the time of your move.
Typically, we use the best container shipping companies, including Maersk, MSC, ONE, COSCO Hapag Lloyd, OOCL, CAM-CGM and Evergreen, to name some of the most common.
In addition, we partner with FIDI Faim accredited partners in the USA to ensure that customs clearance and delivery are handled to the highest standards that you would expect.
If you’re planning to move to the USA from the UK, choosing the right removal service is crucial to ensure a stress-free and seamless move. At Simpsons International Removals, we provide a comprehensive removal service to the USA from the UK, making your move as smooth as possible.
To get started, you can use our online cost calculator for moving overseas. This will give you an estimated quote for removals to the USA based on the volume of goods you plan to bring with you. However, for a more accurate quotation, we recommend that you book a home survey with our team. During the home survey, our team will assess the volume of goods being sent to the USA, providing you with a more accurate quotation.
Our team of experts will work with you to create a customized plan that suits your needs and budget. We offer a range of services, including packing, customs clearance and more to ensure a seamless and stress-free move to the USA.
At Simpsons International Removals, we pride ourselves on providing a high-quality removal service to the USA from the UK. Our team of experts has years of experience in international removals and will ensure that your belongings are packed and transported safely and securely.
Call: 01322 949 557
Simpsons are a long established and quality approved company operating to British Standards across the UK, for all European, International and Commercial removals
WhatClients Say
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