A guide to shipping your belongings to the USA
From a semester in Boston to a new job in New York or a family move to Florida, getting your things across the Atlantic takes some planning. This guide covers shipping belongings to the USA from the UK for students, professionals, families, retirees and anyone with a few extra boxes. You will find options, costs, transit times, US Customs rules, the paperwork you need and how to ship things back home.
| from £180 one suitcase by sea |
from £320 one suitcase by air |
5 to 9 weeks sea freight door to door |
5 to 10 days air freight door to door |
Checked October 2026. All prices are indicative “from” figures for door to door shipping and are confirmed when you book. Customs and biosecurity rules change, so check the official source before you pack.
Your shipping options at a glance
Six options cover nearly every move to the USA. Most people combine a fast option for the first weeks with a cheaper sea option for the rest.
| Option | Typical cost | Transit time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airline excess bag | £60 to £120 per extra bag, per leg; a 23kg case at the check-in desk can pass £400 on long haul | Arrives with you | One extra bag you need on day one |
| Excess baggage by sea | From around £180 for one 23kg suitcase | 5 to 9 weeks | A few cases of clothes and personal items |
| Excess baggage by air | From around £320 for one 23kg suitcase | 5 to 10 days | Items you need soon after landing |
| Shipping boxes by sea | From around £290 for three to five boxes (around 0.5 cubic metres) | 5 to 9 weeks | Students and light movers |
| Sea freight Groupage | From around £550 for around 1 cubic metre | 5 to 9 weeks | Small flat contents or a few pieces of furniture |
| FCL (20ft or 40ft container) | Quoted on survey | 5 to 9 weeks | Full home moves |
For suitcases, see luggage shipping to the USA. For boxes, see shipping boxes to the USA. For a full home, see removals to the USA.
Shipping options by persona
The right service depends on who you are and how much you are moving. Here is how each type of mover usually ships to the USA.
Students
Students on an F-1 or J-1 visa usually ship three to five boxes by sea from around £290, or a couple of suitcases by air if term starts soon. Most US universities start in late August, so book sea freight by June. Check your college accepts parcels for students before arrival. See student shipping.
Professionals relocating for work
If you are moving on an L-1, H-1B, E-2 or similar visa, check what your employer’s relocation package covers. Air freight for essentials plus sea freight Groupage for the rest is common. US Customs looks at whether you are a resident or a non-resident, which affects the duty free allowance for household effects.
Families moving home
Families usually ship a 20ft or 40ft FCL container. The USA is large, so tell us the exact delivery address early, as inland delivery from the port affects both cost and timing. A free video survey gives you an accurate volume. See removals to the USA.
Retirees
Retirees joining family in the USA often ship a smaller Groupage load. UK electricals run on 230V, while the US uses 120V with a different plug, so most kettles, toasters and lamps are not worth shipping. Furniture, art, books and keepsakes travel well.
A few extra boxes or excess baggage
For a few extra cases, shipping is usually cheaper than paying long haul excess at the airport. See excess baggage shipping.
What it costs to ship your belongings to the USA
Anglo Pacific prices by volume, door to door, and fixes the price when you book. The figures below are starting points from the UK; your quote depends on your exact volume, collection postcode and delivery address.
| Shipment | Approximate volume | Sea freight from | Air freight from |
|---|---|---|---|
| One suitcase | Up to 23kg | around £180 | around £320 |
| Three to five boxes | around 0.5 cubic metres | around £290 | Quoted on inventory |
| Small flat contents (Groupage) | around 1 cubic metre | around £550 | Quoted on inventory |
| One bedroom flat (Groupage or 20ft FCL) | around 10 to 15 cubic metres | Quoted on survey | Rarely cost effective |
| Three to four bedroom house (40ft FCL) | around 50 to 65 cubic metres | Quoted on survey | Not suitable |
US destination charges can include customs entry fees, port charges and any USDA or CBP inspection costs. Inland delivery to states far from the arrival port can add to your quote.
How long shipping to the USA takes
Transit depends heavily on whether you are moving to the East Coast, the West Coast or inland.
| Service | Door to door transit | Book ahead by |
|---|---|---|
| Excess baggage or boxes by air | 5 to 10 days | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Excess baggage or boxes by sea | 5 to 9 weeks | 4 to 8 weeks |
| Sea freight Groupage | 5 to 9 weeks, plus time to consolidate | 4 to 8 weeks |
| FCL container | 5 to 9 weeks | 4 to 8 weeks |
East Coast deliveries tend to be at the shorter end of the range. West Coast and inland addresses take longer.
What you can and cannot ship to the USA
Imports are controlled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), with food and plant rules set by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).
| Category | Rule |
|---|---|
| Food | Meat, fresh fruit and vegetables and many dairy products are restricted. Leave food out of household goods shipments. |
| Plants and soil | Restricted. Clean soil from garden tools, bikes and outdoor furniture. |
| Alcohol | Alcohol is dutiable and subject to state law. It is best not shipped with household goods. |
| Medicines | Prescription medicines need a prescription and should be in original packaging. Some medicines legal in the UK are controlled in the USA. |
| Weapons | Firearms and ammunition need permits and are not shipped as household goods. |
| Cultural and wildlife items | Items made from ivory, some animal skins and protected species are restricted under US law. |
| Cuban goods and some sanctioned items | Restricted under US sanctions rules. |
Check the CBP and USDA websites if you are unsure. This is general guidance and not legal advice.
Customs paperwork for the USA
Used household goods and personal effects can often enter the USA duty free, depending on whether you are a returning resident or a non-resident and how long you have owned and used them. You will normally need:
- CBP Form 3299 (Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles)
- A copy of your passport and US visa, or green card
- A detailed inventory with values for each box
- Your US address and arrival date
Anglo Pacific prepares the paperwork with you and our US agent handles clearance. For visa questions, see U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and our guide to ESTA and US point of contact. This is general guidance and not legal advice.
Pros and cons of shipping instead of flying with it
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Far cheaper than airline excess fees once you send two or more bags | Sea freight needs several weeks of notice |
| Collection from any UK address, including halls and family homes | Someone must be available to receive the delivery |
| Door to door with customs paperwork prepared for you | Restricted and prohibited items cannot be shipped |
| Scales from one suitcase to a full container | Your inventory must be accurate for customs |
Leave the British kettle behind, ship what you love, and give your container enough time to reach your new front door.
Ten packing tips for shipping to the USA
- Use double walled boxes. Supermarket boxes are rarely strong enough for an international move.
- Pack heavy items in small boxes and light, bulky items in large ones. Keep each box to around 30kg.
- Fill every gap with paper or soft items so nothing moves in transit.
- Vacuum pack bedding and winter clothes to cut volume, which cuts cost.
- Number every box and keep a matching inventory. Customs will ask for it.
- Leave UK plug electricals at home unless they are dual voltage, as US sockets run at 120V.
- Wrap electricals in their original packaging where you can, and remove batteries from devices that do not need them.
- Label each box with your name, destination address and phone number on two sides.
- Keep passports, visas, medication, laptops and jewellery with you on the plane.
- Take photos of valuable items before packing in case you need to make an insurance claim.
Shipping your belongings back to the UK from the USA
The same services run in reverse through partner agents in the USA, so you can send boxes, excess baggage or a full home back to any UK address. Students, contract workers and families returning to the UK all use the reverse service.
- Transfer of Residence relief. If you are moving your normal home to the UK, you may be able to bring personal belongings in free of duty and import VAT by applying for Transfer of Residence relief (form ToR1) on GOV.UK before your goods arrive. In general you must have lived outside the UK for at least 12 consecutive months and owned and used the items for at least 6 months.
- Students. If you studied in the UK on a study visa and are returning with used personal belongings, relief may apply. Confirm the position when you get your quote.
- Restricted goods. The UK also controls meat, dairy, plants and some medicines. Check the GOV.UK guidance on bringing goods into the UK before you pack.
- Timing. Allow the same transit time in reverse: 5 to 9 weeks by sea and 5 to 10 days by air.
This is general guidance and not legal advice.
Moving money to the USA
If you are moving savings or a house sale deposit, a specialist currency provider such as Halo Financial can help you fix an exchange rate ahead of your move. This is general information, not financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the cheapest way to ship belongings to the USA from the UK?
Sea freight is usually cheapest, from around £180 for one suitcase or around £290 for three to five boxes.
2. How long does shipping to the USA take?
Sea freight takes around 5 to 9 weeks door to door and air freight around 5 to 10 days.
3. What is CBP Form 3299?
It is the US Customs declaration used to claim duty free entry for unaccompanied personal effects and household goods.
4. Will I pay duty on my belongings?
Used personal effects are often duty free, but rules differ for residents and non-residents and for new items. Check the CBP website.
5. Can I ship my UK electricals?
You can, but most will need a transformer as the US uses 120V. Many people sell them and buy new.
6. Can I ship food to the USA?
Most food is restricted. Leave it out of your shipment.
7. Can students ship to a US college?
Yes, delivery to halls or any address is available. Check your college accepts deliveries before term.
8. Is Groupage or FCL better?
Groupage suits a flat or a few pieces of furniture. FCL suits a full house and keeps your belongings sealed.
9. Can I ship my belongings back to the UK from the USA?
Yes, the service runs in reverse through partner agents.
10. How do I get a quote?
Book a free video survey in the Anglo Pacific app or send an inventory for a same day quote.
Ready to ship your belongings to the USA?
Get a fixed quote today, or choose your service: luggage shipping to the USA, shipping boxes to the USA or a full removal to the USA. Still choosing a city? Read our guides to moving to America from the UK and the best places to live in the USA, or call 020 8965 1234.
