Home or Video Survey
A survey estimates the packed volume, identifies furniture and reviews access at the property in USA.
Show the surveyor everything stored in cupboards, garages, balconies, lofts or external storage.
USA to United Kingdom International Removals
International Removals USA to UK
Moving from USA to the United Kingdom requires coordination across export packing, origin customs, international freight, HMRC import clearance and final delivery. Household goods can pass through warehouses, container terminals, customs inspections and several transport stages before reaching the UK home.
Moving Easy provides international removals USA to UK for individuals, couples, families, returning British residents and employees relocating to the United Kingdom. We can assess anything from a few cartons and selected furniture to the contents of a large family home.
Our service can include a home or video survey, professional export packing, collection in USA, shared-container shipping, dedicated 20-foot or 40-foot containers, air freight, origin export support, HMRC Transfer of Residence documentation, UK customs clearance, storage and final delivery.
Customers searching for removals from USA to UK should plan the origin-country export and UK import procedures together. HMRC approval should be obtained before Transfer of Residence relief is claimed on the UK import declaration.
Customers searching for a moving company for a USA-to-UK move should compare the full door-to-door scope rather than sea freight alone. Packing, origin haulage, terminal charges, customs, storage and final UK access can materially affect the final price.
The normal HMRC ToR conditions include at least 12 consecutive months living outside the UK, at least six months' possession of the goods, import within 12 months of moving to the UK and continued use for the same purpose.
- Professional export packing
- Collection in USA
- Shared-container shipping
- 20-foot and 40-foot containers
- Air freight
- Origin export customs support
- HMRC ToR customs support
- UK storage
- Door-to-door UK delivery
Moving from USA to the UK
A move to the UK should be planned around the customer's travel date, HMRC ToR application, origin export documents, shipment departure and UK delivery address. The goods do not need to travel with the customer.
Sea freight is normally the most practical choice for furniture and larger household volumes. Air freight can be used for urgent essentials while the main household shipment follows by sea.
The UK customs process is separate from the origin-country export process. Moving Easy can coordinate with both teams so that the inventory, shipping records and ToR reference remain consistent.
This page focuses mainly on Great Britain — England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland follows a different customs framework in several areas.
Common customers
- British citizens returning after living in USA
- American residents moving to the UK
- Families relocating for work or education
- Employees completing an overseas assignment
- Students moving to the UK
- Customers sending a small part-load
- Customers moving a full household
- Customers requiring storage before or after the move
USA to UK International Moving Services
Professional Export Packing
The origin team can pack household contents for sea or air transport using suitable cartons, furniture wrapping and specialist protection.
Collection in USA
Collection can be arranged from an approved home, apartment or storage facility. Provide floors, lifts, security and loading restrictions.
Groupage and Shared Containers
Smaller moves can share container space with other separately packed consignments. Groupage is normally economical but uses a broader schedule.
Dedicated Containers
A 20-foot or 40-foot container can provide sole use for a larger household.
Air Freight
Air freight can suit urgent clothing, work equipment and compact personal belongings.
UK Customs Support
The UK destination agent can use the customer's HMRC ToR reference when submitting the import declaration.
Storage
Goods can be stored at origin before export or in the UK after customs clearance, subject to availability.
Door-to-Door UK Delivery
After customs release, the destination team delivers to the agreed UK address.
How International Removals from USA to the UK Work
Initial Enquiry
Provide the USA collection area, UK destination, shipment size and dates.
Survey
The survey establishes volume, packing and access.
ToR Review
The customer begins the HMRC ToR1 application before the goods are imported.
Transport Recommendation
Moving Easy compares groupage, dedicated container and air-freight options.
Written Quotation
The quote identifies packing, collection, freight, customs support, UK delivery and exclusions.
Document Preparation
Prepare passports, ToR approval, inventory, residence evidence, shipping documents and customs authorisations.
Packing and Collection
The origin team packs, numbers and collects the approved goods.
Origin Export Clearance
The appointed broker or freight forwarder completes the required export process.
International Transport
The goods travel by sea or air to the selected UK gateway.
UK Import Clearance
The UK customs representative submits the import declaration using the ToR reference where relief applies.
Customs Review
HMRC or Border Force can request evidence or inspect the shipment.
Delivery
After release, the goods are delivered or moved into UK storage.
Shipping Household Goods from USA to the UK
Groupage or shared container
Groupage suits small and medium consignments where the customer can accept a broader departure and delivery window. Each household remains separately packed and inventoried.
20-foot container
A 20-foot container can suit a medium household move. The surveyor confirms whether the packed volume justifies sole use.
40-foot container
A 40-foot container is normally considered for larger homes and substantial furniture volumes.
Air freight
Air freight suits low-volume urgent goods and can be combined with a sea shipment.
Route planning
East Coast moves can use New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Miami or another Atlantic gateway. West Coast moves normally use Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle or another Pacific gateway before a longer ocean journey to the UK.
| Service | Best for | Benefit | Consideration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groupage | Boxes and smaller homes | Pay for space used | Broader schedule |
| 20-foot FCL | Medium households | Sole-use container | Higher fixed cost |
| 40-foot FCL | Large households | High capacity | Volume must justify it |
| Air freight | Urgent small loads | Fastest method | High cost for bulky goods |
Exporting Household Goods from USA
US export rules can require Electronic Export Information filing through the Automated Export System. Current US Commerce guidance states that personal or household goods valued over USD 2,500 under an individual Schedule B classification and sent to a foreign destination other than Canada generally require EEI filing, and used self-propelled vehicles have mandatory filing requirements.
Origin documents can include
- Passport or identity records
- Residence or visa records where applicable
- Detailed household inventory
- Carrier booking and shipping instructions
- Export customs declaration or exemption information
- Power of attorney for the customs broker
- Vehicle or specialist-goods records where applicable
- Permits for controlled or restricted goods
The exact export file should be confirmed for the collection city, port or airport, customer status and goods before packing begins.
Professional Export Packing in USA
International packing should protect the goods through collection, warehouse handling, container loading, sea or air transport, UK customs inspection and final delivery.
Long-distance domestic collection can be a major part of a US move. Cross-country haulage, warehouse consolidation and sea-freight handling should be reflected in the packing and inventory plan.
Goods needing additional preparation
- Artwork and mirrors
- Glass and stone furniture
- Televisions and electronics
- Musical instruments
- Antiques
- Large appliances
- Bicycles and sports equipment
- High-value collections
Custom cases can be recommended for delicate or unusual items. International solid-wood packaging may need to comply with ISPM 15 plant-health requirements.
Each carton and separately wrapped item should be numbered where a customs inventory is required.
HMRC Transfer of Residence Relief
Transfer of Residence relief can allow qualifying personal belongings, pets and private vehicles to enter the UK without the import duty and VAT that would otherwise apply.
12 months outside the UK
The customer should normally have been resident outside the UK for at least 12 consecutive months before moving.
Six months' possession
The goods should normally have been in the customer's possession for at least six months before moving.
Same use
The customer should intend to use the goods in the UK for the same household or personal purpose.
12-month import window
Qualifying goods should normally be imported within 12 months of coming to live in the UK. Multiple consignments can be used.
12-month non-transfer condition
Goods receiving relief cannot normally be lent, used as security, hired out or transferred during the first 12 months after moving.
Goods excluded from normal ToR relief
- Alcoholic beverages
- Tobacco products
- Commercial means of transport
- Non-portable professional instruments
- Commercial stock and company assets
Prior approval
The customer should complete ToR1 and receive HMRC approval before the customs representative claims the relief.
Exceptional circumstances
HMRC can consider limited exceptions where circumstances outside the customer's control prevent the normal residence, possession or import timing conditions from being met.
Documents Commonly Required
- Passport copies
- HMRC ToR approval and unique reference
- Detailed signed inventory
- Proof of residence in USA
- Proof of the UK address
- Employment, tenancy, utility or tax records where requested
- Bill of lading or air waybill
- Origin export records
- Power of attorney for customs representatives
- Vehicle or restricted-goods records where applicable
Names should remain consistent across passports, shipping documents, inventory and the ToR approval.
Preparing the Household Inventory
The inventory should be detailed enough for the origin mover, UK customs representative and destination team.
- Used adult clothing
- Used children's clothing
- Books
- Kitchen utensils
- Household linen
- Children's toys
- Used furniture by type
- Household electronics
- Used sports equipment
High-value and newer goods
Identify recently acquired or high-value goods accurately. HMRC can request values or evidence where relief is not clear.
Commercial quantities
Do not use a personal-effects shipment to import stock, merchandise or company assets under ToR.
Restricted and Excluded Goods
ToR relief does not override UK prohibitions, licences, food rules, plant-health rules or carrier restrictions.
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Food, meat, dairy and animal products
- Plants, seeds, soil and natural wood
- Medicines and controlled substances
- Weapons and ammunition
- Endangered-species products
- Hazardous chemicals, fuels and gas cylinders
- Commercial goods
Great Britain restricts many personal imports of meat and dairy products from countries outside the EU. Most plants for planting and many plant products arriving from outside the EU require a phytosanitary certificate.
Keep passports, cash, jewellery, essential medication and irreplaceable documents with you.
How Long Does Shipping from USA to the UK Take?
Sea-freight and air-freight times depend on collection city, gateway, consolidation, carrier, transhipment, UK customs and final delivery.
For planning purposes, sea freight is approximately 2–4 weeks from many East Coast gateways, 4–6 weeks from many West Coast gateways, with groupage often taking 6–10 weeks or longer door to door.
Air freight is approximately 5–10 days for many suitable air-freight consignments.
These are broad planning ranges rather than guaranteed delivery commitments.
Factors affecting time
- Origin collection distance
- Groupage consolidation
- Port or airport schedule
- Transhipment
- UK port congestion
- ToR approval
- HMRC or Border Force inspection
- Storage instructions
- Final UK postcode and access
How Much Do Removals from USA to the UK Cost?
There is no single price. The total depends on volume, origin city, packing, service type, UK destination, customs, storage and access.
Volume
Volume determines the container or groupage space, packing materials and handling.
Origin city
Collection distance from New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Miami, Houston, Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle or another suitable US port can affect export haulage and handling.
Groupage or FCL
Groupage shares freight cost between customers. A dedicated container assigns the complete container to one household.
Packing
Full export packing, custom cases and specialist handling increase labour and material costs.
UK destination
Delivery distance and property access affect the final UK cost.
Customs and inspection
ToR can remove import duty and VAT, but customs-agent, terminal, inspection and handling charges can still apply.
Storage
Storage can involve intake, recurring, release and delivery charges.
Questions to ask when comparing quotations
- Is the price door to door?
- Is export packing included?
- Is the shipment groupage or FCL?
- Are origin export charges included?
- Is UK customs clearance included?
- Does the quote include final UK delivery?
- Which terminal charges are excluded?
- Which inspection charges could apply?
- What storage charges could apply?
- What protection is available?
Delivery Across the United Kingdom
After customs release, the destination team can deliver to an approved UK address subject to confirmed coverage.
- London and the South East
- Birmingham and the West Midlands
- Manchester and the North West
- Newcastle and the North East
- Bristol and the South West
- Leeds and Yorkshire
- Cardiff and Wales
- Edinburgh and Glasgow
Provide floors, lifts, parking, narrow-road and building-management information before delivery.
Returned Goods Relief for Belongings Previously Exported from the UK
Some customers moving back from USA are bringing belongings that were originally exported from the UK. Returned Goods Relief can be relevant where the goods and circumstances meet HMRC's conditions.
This relief is separate from Transfer of Residence relief. The customs representative should decide which procedure is appropriate for each part of the shipment.
Useful supporting records
- Old UK removal inventories
- Original UK invoices
- Historic photographs
- Export records
- Serial-number records
- Vehicle registration records
Do not assume that a product is duty free solely because it was originally bought in the UK.
New and Recently Purchased Goods
The six-month possession condition matters when a customer buys furniture or electronics shortly before moving to the UK.
Goods that do not qualify for ToR can be declared under the normal UK import process and can attract customs duty and VAT.
- Keep invoices.
- Declare the correct purchase date.
- Tell the mover that the item is new.
- Check electrical compatibility.
- Ask the customs agent how the item will be entered.
Importing a Vehicle from USA to the UK
A qualifying private vehicle can be included in ToR relief, but customs relief is only one stage of the vehicle import process.
A customs agent normally submits the import declaration and ToR reference. HMRC must generally be notified of a permanently imported vehicle within 14 days through the applicable NOVA process.
The vehicle then needs the appropriate approval, DVLA registration, tax and insurance before normal UK road use.
Vehicle transport should be quoted separately from the household move.
Moving Pets from USA to Great Britain
Cats, dogs and ferrets must follow the Great Britain pet-travel rules. The exact health certificate, rabies vaccination and blood-test requirements depend on the origin country's current UK classification and the animal's travel history.
Pet travel is separate from the household shipment and should be planned with an official veterinarian and specialist pet-relocation provider.
Students and Other UK Customs Relief Routes
Full-time students have a separate relief route for qualifying clothing, study equipment and household effects and generally do not use ToR1 for that student relief.
Separate customs relief can also apply to qualifying goods moved because of marriage or civil partnership. These routes have their own conditions and customs procedure codes.
What to Pack and What to Carry Personally
A sea shipment can be unavailable for several weeks, so the customer should keep enough essentials outside the main consignment.
Keep with you
- Passports and ToR records
- UK immigration documents
- Medication and prescriptions
- Cash and jewellery
- Important family records
- Laptops and work equipment needed immediately
- Chargers and phones
- Several weeks of clothing
- Children's immediate-use items
- Pet travel records
Air-and-sea split
A small air shipment can be used for immediate household essentials while the main furniture and cartons travel by sea.
USA to UK Moving Checklist
Eight to Twelve Weeks Before Collection
- Request international-moving quotations.
- Arrange a survey.
- Begin HMRC ToR1.
- Confirm the UK destination.
- Decide what will move, sell, donate or store.
- Discuss vehicles and pets separately.
Four to Eight Weeks Before Collection
- Choose groupage, FCL or air freight.
- Approve export packing.
- Prepare the inventory.
- Gather residence and UK-address evidence.
- Confirm origin export documents.
- Arrange storage where required.
Before Collection
- Remove restricted goods.
- Separate passports, medication and valuables.
- Confirm ToR approval status.
- Check property access.
- Photograph high-value goods.
Before UK Arrival
- Provide the ToR reference to the customs agent.
- Confirm the UK address.
- Provide additional evidence requested.
- Confirm delivery or storage instructions.
Before Delivery
- Confirm parking, lifts and access.
- Ensure an authorised adult can receive the goods.
- Inspect the shipment.
- Report visible issues under the applicable procedure.
Why Use Moving Easy for Removals from USA to the UK?
A return to the UK requires coordination across origin packing, export clearance, sea or air freight, HMRC ToR procedures and final delivery.
Moving Easy can coordinate the move as one door-to-door project and explain the practical difference between shared loads, dedicated containers, air freight and storage.
Our coordinated service brings together professional export packing, international freight, customs support, UK delivery and storage options through one move plan.
Moving in the other direction?
Moving from the UK to the USA?
We also provide door-to-door removals from the UK, with export packing, transport, customs support and destination delivery.
Do you handle moves from the UK to the USA?
Yes. Visit our dedicated outbound route page for moving options, customs guidance and a tailored quotation.
International Removals USA to UK: Frequently Asked Questions
How do international removals from USA to the UK work?
A typical move includes a survey, export packing, collection in USA, origin export clearance, sea or air freight, UK customs clearance and final delivery.
Can I claim duty relief when moving from USA to the UK?
You may qualify for HMRC Transfer of Residence relief if the UK becomes your normal home and you meet the residence, possession, use and timing conditions.
What is ToR1?
ToR1 is the HMRC application used to request Transfer of Residence relief before personal belongings are imported into the UK.
How long must I have lived outside the UK?
The normal ToR condition is at least 12 consecutive months living outside the UK before the move.
How long must I have owned my belongings?
The normal ToR condition is at least six months' possession before the move.
How soon must my belongings arrive?
Qualifying goods should normally be imported within 12 months of coming to live in the UK. More than one shipment can be used.
Can I sell the goods immediately after import?
Goods receiving relief cannot normally be lent, used as security, hired out or transferred during the first 12 months after moving.
Does ToR cover alcohol or tobacco?
No. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products are excluded from normal Transfer of Residence relief.
Can I ship only boxes?
Yes. Small consignments can move by groupage, air freight or another suitable service.
What is groupage shipping?
Groupage combines separately packed household consignments in shared container space. It normally costs less for smaller volumes but has a broader schedule.
What is FCL shipping?
A Full Container Load gives one customer sole use of a 20-foot or 40-foot container.
Can I use air freight?
Yes. A broad planning estimate is approximately 5–10 days for many suitable air-freight consignments, subject to carrier schedules and customs clearance.
How long does sea freight take?
A broad planning estimate is approximately 2–4 weeks from many East Coast gateways, 4–6 weeks from many West Coast gateways, with groupage often taking 6–10 weeks or longer door to door.
Do I need origin export customs documents?
Yes, where required by USA law and the transport method. The appointed broker or forwarder should confirm the current cargo-export procedure.
Do I need a UK import declaration?
Yes. The UK customs representative submits the import declaration and uses the ToR reference where relief applies.
What documents are usually needed?
Common records include passports, ToR approval, a detailed inventory, former-residence evidence, UK address evidence, shipping documents and customs authorisation.
Will UK customs inspect the shipment?
HMRC or Border Force can inspect a shipment or request further information.
Can I move food or plants?
Food, plants and animal products can be restricted when entering Great Britain. These goods should be checked before packing.
Can I import a car?
A qualifying private vehicle can be included in ToR relief, but NOVA, vehicle approval, DVLA registration, tax and insurance remain separate steps.
When must HMRC be told about a permanently imported vehicle?
HMRC must generally be notified within 14 days when a vehicle is brought permanently into Great Britain.
Can I move pets?
Cats, dogs and ferrets must follow the Great Britain pet-travel rules. The health certificate and rabies-testing requirements depend on the origin country.
Can my goods go into UK storage?
Yes. Storage can be arranged after UK customs clearance, with later delivery.
Can goods be stored in USA before export?
Origin storage can be arranged where available. Ask about packing, intake, recurring storage, release and later export handling.
Do students use normal ToR1?
Full-time students have a separate customs relief route for eligible personal and study goods and generally do not use ToR1 for that student relief.
Can a company claim ToR?
No. ToR is for living persons and personal property, not companies or ordinary commercial assets.
What if my goods originally came from the UK?
Returned Goods Relief may be relevant to qualifying goods that were previously exported from the UK. The customs representative should decide which relief applies.
Can I import newly purchased furniture under ToR?
Goods normally need to have been in your possession for six months. New goods that do not qualify can attract normal import duty and VAT.
Can I split my household between sea and air freight?
Yes. Many customers use air freight for immediate essentials and sea freight for the larger household shipment.
When should I start planning?
Begin around eight to twelve weeks before collection so there is time for survey, ToR approval, export documents, packing and carrier booking.
Start Planning Your Move from USA to the UK
Tell Moving Easy where in USA the goods are being collected, where in the UK they need to reach and what needs to be moved. We can assess the volume, packing, freight, ToR requirements and delivery and prepare a tailored quotation.