Moving to the USA requires assistance from a professional removal company. Through our partner network, you could save up to 70% on your international removal costs to reduce the stress of moving house.
Over 1.3 million UK citizens now live in the USA, making it the second most popular destination for British expats. Whether you’re headed to New York, Los Angeles or Houston, Compare My Move will find you the best price and unbeatable service by matching you with up to 6 international moving companies in your local area.
Once you’ve completed our online form, we will connect you with the very best companies specialising in home moves from the UK to the US.
The most popular mode of transportation is sea freight as there are no maximum limits on the volume and weight of goods. A 20ft container is equivalent to a 3-bedroom house while 40ft containers can hold belongings from a 5-bedroom house. You can choose to use a full container or a portion of a container.
If you don't have a lot of large furniture items, you can opt for an assigned portion of a container. This is referred to as a Shared Load Container. There is no limit to how many people's belongings can fit into the container; however, the cost of the designated space is dependent on how much is needed.
Here are the average shipping container costs from the UK to the US based on Full Load Containers and a Shared Load Container that has been divided into four compartments:
| Types of Container | 20ft Container Cost | 40ft Container Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full | £4,109 | £6,080 |
| Shared | £1,027 | £1,520 |
Read more with our guide on shipping container UK to America.
Air freight is another option for those wanting a speedier delivery. However, weight restrictions mean that shipping furniture isn't always available.
The Port of Felixstowe is the largest UK port and has direct access to the main ports in the USA. Here are the top US ports, according to the American Journal of Transportation:
| Port | State | Distance (Nautical Miles) | Shipping Time* |
|---|---|---|---|
Port of Los Angeles | CA | 6,500 | 28 to 31 days |
Port of Long Beach | CA | 6,500 | 28 to 31 days |
Port of New York/New Jersey | NY/NJ | 3,300 | 8 to 11 days |
Port of Savannah | GA | 3,900 | 15 to 18 days |
Port of Houston | TX | 5,100 | 18 to 21 days |
Port of Virginia | VA | 3,500 | 10 to 12 days |
Port of Seattle-Tacoma | WA | 7,000 | 30 to 33 days |
Port of Charleston | SC | 3,800 | 14 to 16 days |
Port of Oakland | CA | 6,700 | 27 to 30 days |
Port of Jacksonville | FL | 3,900 | 12 to 14 days |
*Data taken from SeaRates
Having the correct documentation with your belongings will minimise the chance of errors and delays. Your move coordinator will provide you with a list of required documents, depending on the volume of goods and the type of items being moved.
Here are the required documents:
Some international removal companies have online portals that allow customers to submit their documents and keep them in one system.
You should apply for a US Visa as soon as possible. The length of time it takes for the application to be processed is dependent on the type of visa you need. Visa applications from UK citizens are processed and reviewed at the US Embassy in London. Upon approval, you are required to complete pre-processing with the National Visa Center (NVC).
Due to ongoing changes regarding immigration, you should consult the US Embassy’s Team to point you in the right direction and assist with your application.
