Moving from the UK to the USA? Shipping household goods takes 3–6 weeks and customs requires an ISF filing 24 hours before loading. Here's everything you need to budget for.
| Property / Volume | Method | East Coast (NY/Boston) | West Coast (LA/SF) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small shipment (1–5 cbm) | LCL | £700–£1,500 | £900–£1,800 |
| 1-bed flat (10–15 cbm) | LCL | £1,500–£2,800 | £2,000–£3,500 |
| 2-bed house (20–30 cbm) | LCL / 20ft FCL | £2,500–£4,000 | £3,000–£5,000 |
| 3-bed house (30–45 cbm) | 20ft FCL | £2,500–£4,500 | £3,500–£6,000 |
| 4-bed house (45–65 cbm) | 40ft FCL | £4,500–£7,000 | £6,000–£9,000 |
| Cost Item | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Marine insurance | 1–2% of declared value | Essential — GiT doesn't cover sea transit |
| US customs broker fee | £200–£500 | Required for CBP clearance |
| ISF filing fee | £50–£150 | Often included by larger companies |
| Destination haulage | £200–£600 | Port to your door in the USA |
| Packing materials / service | £300–£1,200 | Professional packing recommended |
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) allows duty-free importation of household goods under CBP Form 3299 (Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles) if:
New or recently purchased items, alcohol, tobacco, and vehicles do not qualify for duty-free entry and may attract import duties and US taxes. Your customs broker will advise on your specific situation.
The Importer Security Filing (ISF), also known as 10+2, is a US CBP requirement. It must be filed at least 24 hours before goods are loaded onto a vessel bound for the USA. Failure to file results in a $5,000 penalty per violation. Your international removal company will handle this, but ensure it's confirmed before loading day.
Left-hand drive vehicles are straightforward to import. Right-hand drive UK cars face significant hurdles — they must comply with US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) which typically requires expensive modifications, or qualify for the 25-year exemption (classics). In most cases it's more economical to sell your UK car and buy in the USA.
The USA uses 110V/60Hz electricity vs the UK's 230V/50Hz. Most UK appliances (kettles, toasters, washing machines) will not work in the USA without a transformer, and even then may run suboptimally. It's often more practical to leave UK appliances behind and purchase replacements in the USA.