Skip to content

Compare International Removal Costs

Save 70% off the cost of your house move today!

Shipping Container Costs From United Kingdom to USA

Updated 19th Mar 2026

Updated 19th Mar 2026

On average, it costs £6,080 to ship a container to the USA from the UK. This is based on the average cost of a 40ft container. This is equal to the size of a 3-bedroom house. Air freight shipping costs £326 per 100kg on average. This is based on our international removals costs research.

When shipping goods to the USA, there are two shipping options - air freight and sea freight. The option you select will be based on your budget and the number of items you have.

Prices are based on our cost data, received directly from user feedback.

Sea Freight

Sea freight is the most popular shipping option when moving to the USA. It’s a lot cheaper than air freight and is more eco-friendly. Your belongings will take longer to arrive, which can be a problem for items you need to arrive quickly.

Pros:

Lower costs

You pay for a single container rather than by weight

Can transport motor vehicles

Pay for the cost of the shipping container only

More eco-friendly

Part-load options to lower costs

Cons:

Ocean freight takes longer to arrive

Shipping is less frequent than air freight

Delays are more common

Main USA Ports and Routes

There are 7 major ports in the USA. The largest port is the Port of Los Angeles. Here are some of the other main ports that can be used as your destination port:

New York & New Jersey Port

Long Beach Port

Port of Houston

Port of South Louisiana

Norfolk Port

Port of Savannah


The main shipping ports to the USA from the UK are Felixstowe, Southampton, and London Gateway.

Compare International Removal Costs

Save up to 70% on international removal costs

Used by over 1.8 million movers in the UK

compare now

Air Freight

If you need your goods to arrive quickly, air freight is the best option for shipping furniture overseas. However, it’s significantly more expensive. Your goods will be shipped from a UK airport to the most convenient airport in the United States.

Pros:

Quick transit time

Over 1,000 airports to choose from

Good security for your belongings

Convenient and regular air freight shipping

Cons:

More expensive shipping option

Not as eco-friendly

Limited with the items can transport (no motor vehicles)

Items are charged on weight, not size

Main USA Airports and Routes

There are around 5,217 airports to choose from when air shipping personal effects to the USA. This displays why air freight is so convenient. The most popular airports include:

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

Denver

Dallas - Fort Worth

Los Angeles

Orlando

Washington

Chicago O-Hare


The main UK airports shipping to the USA are London Heathrow and Manchester.

Compare International Removal Costs

Save up to 70% on international removal costs

Used by over 1.8 million movers in the UK

compare now

FCL VS LCL Shipping

Whether you’re shipping via sea or air freight, you need to decide whether you need full or part-load shipping. Your choice will depend on the belongings you’re shipping and the amount of space needed. Here are some aspects to consider:

Tracking

Insurance

Customs and duties charges

The weight of the items being shipped

The size of the items being shipped

The number of items being shipped

Distance travelled

Here are the main differences between FCL and LCL shipping:

1

Full Container Load (FCL)

Full container load is the most popular option for those looking to ship a lot of items. A full container load is equal to an entire shipping container. You pay for the container and then you are able to fill it with your goods. It’s a quicker option compared to LCL.

2

Less Container Load (LCL)

If you don’t need to ship many goods, LCL is the better option to consider. It allows you to share a container with other people. This helps to reduce shipping costs. However, it limits the amount of space you can have. Shipping will take longer due to it being a shared container.

Compare International Removal Costs

Save up to 70% on international removal costs

Used by over 1.8 million movers in the UK

compare now

Other Costs to Consider

When it comes to international removals from UK to USA, you will also need to consider:

1

Packing Services

Packing services cost £250 on average based on a 3-bedroom home. The costs will vary based on the company and the number of items you have.

Packing services are charged in addition to removal services. Packing specialists will pack your belongings for you with high-quality materials. They help to ensure your goods are secure and safe when shipped.

2

Pick-up and Delivery

Pick-up and delivery are useful if you want your goods to be transported from the airport or port to your new home. It removes the need to organise this yourself, and it’s useful if you’re moving to a more rural area.

The cost will vary based on the part of the country you’re moving to, the number of items and the distance the removals company will need to travel. It’s similar to door-to-door services.

3

Insurance

International removals insurance will cost around 4% of the total cost of your household goods. The price will change based on the distance travelled, and how your items are shipped.

The cost can also vary from state to state, the insurance company you choose, and the policy you use. Shipment Protection Cover or a Maritime insurance policy is recommended.

All our international removal partners have Public Liability and Goods in Transit insurance. This ensures peace of mind when using their services, and protects your goods during transit.

Compare International Removal Costs

Save up to 70% on international removal costs

Used by over 1.8 million movers in the UK

compare now

How Long Does Shipping Take?

Sea freight will take an average of 30-40 days. This is reasonable given the distance travelled. Air freight shipping will typically take 8-10 days, which is a quicker alternative.

Shipping part-load to the East Coast can take up to 11 weeks. The West Coast is up to 14 weeks. Shipping times will vary due to the size of the USA. The time will depend on the type of container shipping you choose and the mode of transport.

Prohibited Items to USA

There are many items you’re prohibited to bring into the USA. These include:

Absinthe

Firearms

Gold

Soil

Game and hunting trophies

Haitian animal hide drums

Check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website, for the full list of prohibited items.

Finding an International Removal Company to USA

If you’re moving to the USA from the UK, you’ll want to use an international removals company that’s reliable and trustworthy. Our international removals comparison service can connect you with up to 6 different verified international moving companies. Compare My Move can help save you up to 70% on your international container shipping costs.

Other Popular Overseas Destinations

We also offer international container shipping cost breakdowns to many destinations worldwide. Here are some other popular locations:

Container Shipping to SwedenContainer Shipping to SpainContainer Shipping to South AfricaContainer Shipping to Singapore
Container Shipping to PortugalContainer Shipping to UAEContainer Shipping to NetherlandsContainer Shipping to Italy
Container Shipping to GermanyContainer Shipping to FranceContainer Shipping to CanadaContainer Shipping to Australia
Explore More Topics