UK to USA Removals
Every UK to USA removal is managed by our own crews end-to-end with no subcontractors, no handoffs between companies.
Trunk Logistics handles USA removals with our own collection crews, our own container loading teams, and CBP customs documentation prepared before anything is packed. You have a single named contact from survey to delivery.
- UK-wide collections using our own fleet of 25 vehicles
- Export packing by our own trained crews using materials rated for transatlantic sea freight
- FCL and LCL container shipping routed correctly for your US destination
- All CBP customs documentation prepared by Trunk Logistics before departure
- Door-to-door delivery across all 50 US states through IAM-certified partners
- Pre-shipment storage at our Essex depot, and US destination storage arranged through our IAM-certified partners if your property or visa timing requires it
Get Your USA Moving Quote
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How Your UK to USA Move Works
Survey, plan, and fix your price
A trained member of our own team carries out your survey in person or by video. We confirm your shipment volume, determine whether FCL or LCL is right for your move, identify your correct US routing based on destination state, and prepare your CBP customs documentation in advance. Your fixed all-inclusive price is confirmed here, no online estimates, no price changes after booking.
Pack and collect using our own crews
Your belongings are packed by our own export-trained crews using materials rated for transatlantic sea freight. We collect from anywhere in the UK using our fleet of 25 vehicles. Your collection is planned around your schedule, not ours.
Ship on the correct route with CBP documentation already prepared
Your shipment is loaded by our own container loading team and dispatched via scheduled sea freight on the correct route for your US destination, East Coast or West Coast. CBP customs documentation prepared by Trunk Logistics before departure is coordinated with our IAM-certified US partners on arrival. Getting this right before shipping is what keeps your shipment moving when it reaches the US.
Delivered to your address across any US state
Once cleared by CBP, your shipment is transported from the arrival port to your property through our IAM-certified US partner network. Whether you are moving to a major city or a more remote location, inland transport and final delivery are coordinated by your single Trunk Logistics contact throughout.
Storage Before and After Your USA Move
If your UK move-out date and shipping schedule do not align, we provide secure storage at our own four Essex facilities before your consignment is loaded. At the US end, destination storage is available through our IAM-certified American partners where your property is not ready to receive delivery on arrival. This is particularly relevant for moves into managed apartment buildings or where completion or lease start dates shift. Duration and cost at both ends are confirmed at survey stage alongside your removal quote.
How Long Does a UK to USA Removal Take?
Most UK to USA moves take 6 to 12 weeks door-to-door by sea freight. The single biggest variable is where in the USA you are moving to – East Coast and West Coast routes follow entirely different shipping lanes with significantly different transit times.
- East Coast (New York, Miami, Baltimore): 6–8 weeks door-to-door
- West Coast (Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle): 10–12 weeks via Panama Canal routing
- Inland states: additional transit time from port applies depending on destination
- Air freight: available for smaller time-critical shipments, 1–2 weeks, but at significantly higher cost
How FCL and LCL Container Choice Affects USA Removal Timelines
FCL shipments move faster with fewer handling stages than LCL consolidated shipments. See our FCL vs LCL container guide for a full comparison of both shipping methods.
CBP Customs Clearance at US Ports and What Causes Shipments to Be Held
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) clearance adds working days at the American end. When documentation is accurate and your entry status is confirmed, this stage is straightforward. When it is not, shipments are held at port with storage charges accumulating. See our customs documentation guide for the full CBP process.
How Your USA Removal Timeline Is Confirmed Before Booking
Your exact timeline is confirmed before booking based on your destination state, measured volume, and chosen shipping method.
Professional Accreditations
IAM membership means our US delivery partners are drawn from a verified international network operating to certified standards. The USA sits within our full international removals service alongside Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Dubai, and South Africa.
What Your UK To USA Removal Costs
Why UK to USA Removal Costs Vary by Destination State
The USA is not a single delivery zone and UK to USA removals are not priced as a flat rate. A shared container to New York and a full container to a property outside Los Angeles involve completely different routing, handling, and inland delivery costs.
What Your UK to USA Removal Quote Covers
Trunk Logistics prices every move on confirmed shipment volume, container type, US routing, and final delivery destination, not online estimates. Your move cost covers everything: UK collection, export packing, container loading, transatlantic sea freight, CBP customs coordination, US port handling, and inland delivery to your address. Marine insurance is arranged directly by Trunk Logistics — cover options are confirmed during your survey.
There are no hidden costs. What you are quoted after your survey is what you pay.
How Volume, East vs West Coast Route, and Inland Distance Drive the Final Price
Volume is the primary cost driver – it determines container size, packing requirements, and handling at both ends. Routing affects price directly as West Coast shipments travel further and cost more than East Coast deliveries. Delivery destination adds cost for properties far from the arrival port or in states with more complex inland logistics.
Why Online Tools Cannot Accurately Quote a UK to USA Removal
Online quote tools cannot account for US routing differences, CBP documentation requirements, or the true cost of inland delivery across a country the size of the United States. They produce a number without any of this being measured or planned. Trunk Logistics does not offer online estimates — your fixed price comes from a survey, not a calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions - UK to USA Removals
Why do UK to USA removal quotes vary so much?
Online quotes for international moves almost always miss the elements that make up the real cost, accurate shipment volume, correct US routing, CBP documentation handling, port charges, and inland delivery to your specific state. A quote that doesn’t account for these will change, sometimes significantly, once the move is properly planned. Every Trunk Logistics price is built from a survey that measures and accounts for all of these. The price confirmed after your survey is the price you pay.
Does my visa or residency status affect when I can ship my belongings to USA?
Yes. CBP assesses your shipment against your entry and residency status in the USA. If your shipment arrives before your visa is active or your entry status is confirmed, it can be held at port with storage charges accumulating. We align your dispatch timing with your visa and entry status during survey planning so your shipment arrives when it can actually be cleared and delivered.
Can Trunk Logistics deliver to any US state, including less accessible locations?
Yes. We deliver across all 50 states through our IAM-certified US partner network. Delivery to major cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Miami, and Chicago is straightforward. For more remote or rural locations, inland transport is planned in advance based on your exact address. Distance from port, road access, and any local delivery restrictions are all factored into your moving plan before booking.
What is the difference between shipping to the East Coast versus the West Coast?
East Coast ports such as New York and Baltimore are reached via the North Atlantic route in approximately 6–8 weeks. West Coast ports such as Los Angeles and Seattle require routing through the Panama Canal, adding both distance and transit time, typically 10–12 weeks door-to-door. The cost difference between the two routes is meaningful, which is why your destination state is confirmed at survey stage before your price is fixed.
Can I send some belongings by air and the rest by sea?
Yes, and for some moves this is the most practical approach. If you need essential items quickly after arriving in the USA, we can ship a smaller priority consignment by air freight, typically 1–2 weeks, while your main household shipment follows by sea. Both shipments are planned and coordinated by your single Trunk Logistics contact so nothing is lost between the two.
Is marine insurance included in my USA removal quote?
Marine insurance is not included as standard but is arranged directly by Trunk Logistics so you do not need to source it separately. Cover options are presented during your survey so you choose the right level of protection before your shipment is loaded. Given the distance and number of handling stages involved in a transatlantic move, we strongly recommend taking out cover.
Start Your USA Move
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