Removals from
UK to USA

30+ years

of international shipping experience

7,000+ 5-star

Trustpilot reviews

Content review

Last reviewed: September 2026

Reviewed by: John Henderson, Regional Manager for North America

How removals from the UK to the USA work

Your move from the UK to the USA takes place in five main stages, from getting your quote and preparing your belongings to US customs clearance and final delivery.

Here’s what happens at each stage.

Do you offer storage?

Yes. UK-to-USA MoveCube® and Boxes & Bags Shipping customers receive two weeks’ free storage in the UK and two weeks’ free storage in the USA.

This gives you extra flexibility if your moving dates don’t line up perfectly or you need more time before receiving your belongings.

If you need longer storage, additional storage can be arranged for an extra charge, provided you contact our team before your shipment is scheduled for loading.

How much does it cost to move from the UK to the USA in 2026?

Removals from the UK to the USA start at approximately £329.50 for two Standard shipping boxes or £899.60 for a Small MoveCube®.

These are indicative starting prices, not fixed removal rates. Your final cost depends on how much you're shipping, your UK collection address, your destination in the USA, the service and shipping method you choose, and any optional extras such as insurance and additional packing materials.

Your personalised quote provides an itemised breakdown of the costs for your move, including applicable destination charges and any optional extras you select.

What affects the cost of moving to the USA?

The cost of moving from the UK to the USA depends on how much you're shipping, your UK collection and US delivery locations, the service and shipping method you choose, and any additional services or charges that apply.

Your shipment and destination

How much you're moving: the amount you're shipping determines the space you need and is one of the biggest factors affecting the overall cost. Decluttering before your move could reduce the size or number of MoveCubes® required, or mean a smaller Boxes & Bags shipment.

Shipping service: your cost will depend on whether you're sending a smaller shipment with Boxes & Bags Shipping or using one or more MoveCubes® for furniture and household belongings.

Sea or air shipping: MoveCube® shipments travel by sea, while eligible Boxes & Bags shipments can be sent by sea or air. Air shipping is generally faster but more expensive than sea shipping.

UK collection address: your location affects the road transport required to collect your belongings before their international journey. Use your actual collection postcode when requesting a quote.

US delivery address: the USA covers a vast geographic area, so onward transport requirements vary considerably by destination. Enter your exact US delivery location when requesting a quote to check the service available and get an accurate price.

Additional costs to consider

Check what's included in your personalised quote and whether any additional costs could apply to your relocation.

Destination charges: applicable destination charges will be shown in your personalised quote, giving you a clearer picture of the costs associated with your move before you book.

Customs inspections and clearance: US Customs and Border Protection may inspect your shipment or request additional information. Inspections, incomplete or inaccurate documentation, inventory discrepancies, or prohibited and restricted goods can delay clearance and may result in additional costs.

Insurance and packing materials: optional insurance and any additional boxes or packing materials you purchase will increase the overall cost of your move.

Parking and access: if permits, loading restrictions or other site-specific arrangements are required for the MoveCube® vehicle at collection or delivery, additional costs may apply.

Additional storage: MoveCube® and Boxes & Bags Shipping customers receive two weeks' free storage in the UK and two weeks' free storage in the USA. If you need longer, additional storage can be arranged for an extra charge.

Don’t have a US address yet?

You don’t need to have secured a permanent US address to start planning your move. To get an accurate quote, you’ll need to provide a delivery address — this could be your expected address, temporary accommodation or, where appropriate, a friend or family member’s address near where you plan to live.

If your delivery address changes, your price or service availability may change too, particularly if your new destination is in a different city or region.

Still deciding where to live? Get quotes for your likely destinations before booking to compare costs and check the services available in each location.

Get an accurate UK-to-USA removals quote

Get a price based on your move with our free online quote tool. Enter your UK collection and US delivery details, tell us what you're shipping, and we'll show you the available options.

As you build your quote, you can:

• Choose your MoveCube® size or shipping option;
• Compare sea and air shipping where available;
• Add packing materials and optional insurance;
• Check applicable destination charges; and
• Receive an itemised estimate before you book.

Spread the cost of your move

You don't need to pay the full cost of your move to the USA upfront. Instead, payments are made at different stages of your shipment:

Here's how it works:

• When you book – pay a security deposit. This isn't an additional fee; it's deducted from your shipping and transportation costs.
• After collection – once we've collected your shipment and you've completed your online documentation, pay the remaining shipping and transportation balance.
• Before final delivery – pay any applicable destination charges before your belongings are delivered in the USA.

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How long do removals from the UK to the USA take?

MoveCube® removals from the UK to the USA take approximately 116 days by sea.* Your quote will include the latest estimated transit time based on your collection and delivery locations.

Transit time isn't the same as your final delivery time. It doesn't include processing before departure, destination handling after arrival, US customs clearance or arranging onward delivery of your belongings.

Transit times are estimates, not guarantees, and can be affected by shipping schedules, port operations, weather, seasonal demand and customs processing. We'll arrange onward delivery once your shipment has cleared US customs and the required destination processes are complete.

_{*Transit estimates are based on recent Seven Seas Worldwide UK-to-USA shipments and current shipping schedules as of September 2026.}

UK to USA removals transit time examples

The table below shows estimated sea transit times for sending one Small MoveCube® from selected UK cities to Washington, D.C., Houston, Los Angeles, Chicago and Jacksonville.

*Transit time note: these example transit times are provided as a guide only. Your personalised quote will include the latest estimated transit time for your shipment.

How do I clear customs when moving to the USA?

Your household goods and personal effects must clear US customs before they can be released for onward delivery.

We will coordinate the customs clearance process using the information and documents you provide. You'll need to complete the required forms accurately, declare your belongings correctly and provide any supporting documents that apply to your circumstances.

What documents do I need for US customs?

All Seven Seas Worldwide customers moving or returning to the USA must complete the required US customs documentation, including CBP Form 3299.

You'll also need:

• An accurate Inventory Packing List;
• A copy of the shipment owner's passport picture page;
• A copy of the passport signature page; and
• Any applicable visa or other supporting documentation.

The documents required can vary according to your immigration or travel status, so check our current USA customs guidance before completing your paperwork.

Why is my Inventory Packing List important for US customs?

Your Inventory Packing List tells CBP what you're importing and may be used as the packing list for your shipment, so it should accurately match the belongings you're sending.

Make sure each numbered box or bag corresponds to your inventory, and use specific descriptions rather than vague terms such as “miscellaneous,” “personal belongings,” or “stuff.”

Discrepancies between your inventory and the contents of your shipment can result in further examination, delays and additional costs.

Can I bring household goods into the USA duty-free?

Used household goods and personal effects that qualify can generally enter the USA duty-free if the applicable CBP eligibility requirements are met.

For example, Seven Seas Worldwide's USA customs guidance explains that returning US citizens seeking duty-free entry must generally have owned and used the relevant personal effects or household goods for at least 12 months before importing them.

The rules can differ for students, visitors, and customers entering under long-term visa arrangements, and completing CBP Form 3299 does not, by itself, guarantee duty-free entry. Check the requirements that apply to your circumstances before shipping, and make sure the goods are being imported for your own use rather than for another person or for sale.

What can delay US customs clearance?

Incomplete documentation, inaccurate inventory information, missing supporting documents and prohibited or restricted goods can all cause avoidable delays. Respond promptly if additional information is requested during clearance.

CBP may also select shipments for inspection independently of the information you've provided. Accurate documentation can't guarantee a particular clearance time, but it can help prevent unnecessary problems with your shipment.

Do I need insurance for my move to the USA?

International shipments pass through several stages of handling and transport, so it’s worth considering insurance for your belongings. Seven Seas Worldwide offers Basic Insurance and Premier Insurance for qualifying shipments. For International MoveCube® shipments, Basic Insurance costs 2% of the declared repurchase value of the contents, while Premier Insurance costs 3%.

Basic Insurance covers loss of the insured receptacle. For a MoveCube® shipment, the MoveCube® itself is treated as the receptacle, so it doesn’t cover damage to or partial loss of individual contents.

Premier Insurance includes Basic Insurance cover, plus cover for qualifying partial loss, theft or damage to contents, subject to the applicable terms and packing requirements.

Before choosing your cover, make sure the repurchase value you declare accurately reflects what you’re shipping. Check what’s covered, along with the applicable conditions, exclusions and excesses, in our Insurance Terms and Conditions before making your selection.

Compare our insurance

What can’t I ship to the USA?

Before packing, check our Prohibited Goods guidance to make sure everything you plan to ship is permitted.

Examples of items that can't be included in an international shipment include:

• Food, drinks and perishable items;
• Firearms, ammunition and explosives;
• Controlled drugs and narcotics;
• Corrosive, poisonous or toxic substances;
• Counterfeit or pirated goods; and
• Cash and other forms of currency.

What about restricted items?

Some everyday belongings have specific restrictions or packing requirements, and the rules can vary depending on how your shipment is transported.

These can include:

• Batteries and battery-powered devices,
• Aerosols, perfumes and aftershaves,
• Nail varnish,
• Knives,
• Some flammable liquids.

This isn't a complete list. Always check the Prohibited Goods guidance before packing, particularly if you're unsure about an item.

Shipments are subject to security inspection, and prohibited or incorrectly packed restricted goods may be removed, resulting in delays or additional charges.

Ready to start your move to the USA?

Get a free, personalised quote for your move from the UK to the USA, based on what you're shipping, your UK collection address and your US destination.

We'll show you the service available for your move and provide an itemised cost breakdown, so you can see what you'll pay before you book.

Get a FREE instant quote