Moving to the USA from the UK: The Complete Guide to Customs, Shipping and US Delivery
UK to USA relocations managed through export-trained crews, regulated transatlantic shipping routes, and IAM-certified delivery networks across all 50 states.
Moving from the UK to the USA involves transatlantic ocean freight, customs clearance through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and final delivery across a continent where your destination state determines your entire shipping route, port of entry, and delivery timeline. East Coast and West Coast shipments follow completely different lanes, a detail that online quote tools routinely miss, producing estimates that change significantly once the move is properly planned.
This guide covers every research question you are likely to have before committing to your move including CBP customs rules, visa considerations, East vs West Coast routing, shipping timelines, costs, and container options. It is written for people at the research stage. If you are already ready to plan your move and want a fixed door-to-door quote, go here instead: UK to USA removals service
You will find answers in this guide to:
- CBP customs rules and documentation: What the USA requires, what it restricts, and how to prepare correctly
- East vs West Coast routing: How your destination state determines your shipping lane, port, and timeline
- Shipping timelines: How long a UK to USA move takes and what affects your specific route
- Frequently Asked Questions: Costs, shipping options, container types, and practical move decisions
- How to plan your move correctly: What to do before booking anything
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A Brief Overview Of How The Move Process Works
A UK to USA removal follows five stages: survey and planning, export packing, international shipping, CBP customs clearance, and inland delivery to your US address. The full process, including what Trunk Logistics manages at each stage, is covered on our removals service page. The key point at the research stage is that your destination state determines your entire routing decision. East Coast and West Coast moves are planned, priced, and shipped differently from the outset, not adjusted after booking. See how Trunk Logistics manages your UK to USA move
CBP customs rules and documentation - what you need to know before shipping
Customs clearance for UK to USA household shipments is processed through US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The USA has a well-established import process for residential relocations, and household goods can typically be imported duty-free when the shipment is correctly prepared and documented before departure. The most common cause of CBP delays is not customs complexity, it is documentation inaccuracies and undeclared items that could have been resolved before the shipment left the UK.
Can you import household goods into the USA duty-free?
In most cases, yes. Used personal belongings imported as part of a genuine residential relocation are typically exempt from US import duty when the shipment is correctly documented and declared. To qualify, goods must be used personal items rather than new purchases, the shipment volume must be consistent with a normal household move rather than a commercial import, and a full and accurate inventory must be provided. CBP makes the final determination on arrival, but when these conditions are met, most household shipments clear without duty. New or recently purchased items do not automatically qualify and may be assessed for import duty and applicable taxes.
What documents are required for CBP customs clearance?
Standard documentation includes a passport copy, visa or residency documentation confirming your US immigration status, a detailed itemised inventory of all goods being shipped with declared values, and a bill of lading (sea freight) or airway bill (air freight). The exact requirements vary depending on your visa category and immigration status. For example, a permanent resident importing under a green card has a different documentation profile to someone on a work visa or relocating on a dependent visa. Every document must be accurate and consistent with your physical shipment as discrepancies between paperwork and shipment contents are the primary trigger for CBP inspection and delay. See Our Customs and documentation guide
What visa or immigration status do you need to import household goods?
CBP links your import eligibility to your US immigration status. Most long-term visa categories support duty-free import of used household goods as part of a genuine relocation, including employment-based visas (H-1B, L-1), family-based visas, green card holders, and returning US citizens. The timing of your shipment relative to your visa status matters because your shipment should not arrive before your ability to clear it through CBP is confirmed. If your visa timing is uncertain at the point of shipping, your shipment may arrive before clearance can proceed. Shipment timing is always aligned with your confirmed immigration status during your survey.
What items are restricted or require declaration when shipping to the USA?
Several categories require specific handling before shipping. Food, plants, seeds, and organic materials are subject to USDA inspection and may be refused entry or quarantined. Alcohol must be declared and is subject to state-level regulations that vary by destination, what is permissible in one state may not be in another. Certain firearms and weapons are subject to strict federal controls and cannot simply be included in a household shipment. High-value items and new goods must be accurately declared with values as undeclared high-value items are a consistent trigger for CBP assessment. Restricted electronics and items subject to US import controls must be identified before packing. All restricted items must be declared before your shipment leaves the UK.
What is completely prohibited when shipping to the USA?
Items that cannot be imported include narcotics and controlled substances, counterfeit goods, items infringing US intellectual property rights, and goods that violate federal import regulations. Attempting to include these items, declared or undeclared, results in seizure and carries serious legal consequences.
East vs West Coast routing: How your destination state determines your move
The USA is a continent-sized country and your destination state determines your entire shipping route, port of entry, and delivery timeline from the outset. This is the most USA-specific logistics decision in the entire move, and the one most commonly overlooked by online quote tools that produce a single estimate regardless of whether you are moving to New York or Los Angeles.
How does your destination state determine your shipping route?
UK to USA shipments route into different ports depending on your destination. East Coast destinations like New York, New Jersey, Baltimore, Virginia, Florida, and states in between, are served by Atlantic seaboard ports, with New York and Baltimore being the primary entry points for UK household shipments. West Coast destinations such as California, Washington, Oregon, and other Pacific states, are served by Los Angeles, Long Beach, and Seattle, reached via the Panama Canal on a longer transoceanic route. Midwest and inland states are served through whichever coast port provides the most practical inland routing to your specific address.
What are the transit time differences between East and West Coast?
East Coast destinations typically take 6–8 weeks door-to-door by sea freight. West Coast destinations typically take 10–12 weeks door-to-door, reflecting the additional distance via the Panama Canal. This difference is not a service level distinction, it is a geographic reality determined by your destination state. Choosing the wrong port routing for your destination adds unnecessary transit time and inland delivery cost. Your routing is confirmed and fixed during your survey based on your exact US delivery address.
How does inland delivery distance affect your move?
The USA’s geographic scale means inland delivery from port to final address can be a significant component of both cost and timeline. A delivery to Manhattan from the Port of New York is fundamentally different in scope to a delivery to rural Texas from the Port of Houston. Your delivery address is confirmed during your survey so inland transport distance and access conditions are factored into your fixed price before booking.
How long does a UK to USA move take?
Most UK to USA moves take 6 to 12 weeks door-to-door by sea freight, with the range determined primarily by your destination state and whether you are routing into an East or West Coast port.
What affects the total timeline:
Destination state and port routing – As covered above, this is the primary timeline variable on USA moves. East and West Coast routes follow entirely different shipping lanes with different vessel schedules and transit times.
Shipping method – FCL shipments move on a confirmed schedule with fewer handling stages. LCL consolidated shipments require groupage at origin and unpacking at destination, adding time at both ends. Compare FCL and LCL shipping options
CBP customs clearance – Typically adds 3–7 working days. This extends when documentation is incomplete, restricted items are not declared in advance, or inventory inconsistencies require CBP resolution. The USA has a well-established clearance process for residential imports so preparation quality before departure is what keeps this stage predictable.
Immigration status alignment – Your shipment cannot clear CBP without confirmed immigration status and completed documentation. If visa timing is uncertain at the point of shipping, your shipment may arrive before clearance can proceed. This is confirmed and aligned during your survey.
Inland delivery – Delivery from port to your US address varies significantly depending on your state and property location. Metropolitan deliveries close to major ports are faster and less expensive. Remote or rural addresses in inland states require extended transport planning. Your exact delivery address is confirmed during your survey.
When should you start planning your move to the USA?
Begin planning at least 6–8 weeks before your intended collection date. For West Coast destinations it is wise to advised to begin planning even earlier given the longer transit time. This allows time for a survey, vessel scheduling, immigration status confirmation, CBP documentation preparation, and routing confirmation. USA moves planned at short notice increase the risk of missed vessel departures, documentation gaps, and routing errors that are entirely preventable with adequate lead time.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to USA From The UK
How much does it cost to move from the UK to the USA?
UK to USA removals are priced on measured shipment volume, container type, destination state, and inland delivery distance. Your move cost covers UK collection, export packing, container loading, transatlantic ocean freight, US port handling, CBP customs documentation and clearance, and inland delivery to your address. East Coast and West Coast moves are priced differently. West Coast routing via the Panama Canal involves greater ocean freight distance, which is reflected in the cost. The most reliable way to understand your cost is through a professional survey, online estimates routinely miss routing differences, inland delivery distance, and port handling charges. Book a survey with Trunk Logistics →
What is the difference between FCL and LCL shipping to the USA?
FCL (Full Container Load) gives you a dedicated container with faster transit, fewer handling stages, and more control over delivery timing. LCL (Less than Container Load) shares container space with other shipments, reducing cost but adding consolidation time at origin and unpacking time at destination. FCL suits full household moves where delivery timing matters. LCL suits smaller shipments where cost efficiency takes priority over speed. Your shipment volume, confirmed during your survey, determines which option is right for your move. Full FCL vs LCL explanation
Can you ship a car from the UK to the USA?
Yes, but vehicle import to the USA is separately regulated from household effects. Vehicles must comply with US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and EPA emissions standards. UK vehicles are manufactured to different specifications and typically require modifications to meet these requirements. Import duty at 2.5% applies to most passenger vehicles. The cost of compliance modification, shipping, duty, and registration combined means importing a UK vehicle is rarely cost-effective for standard cars. This route is typically worthwhile only for classic, high-value, or personally significant vehicles.
How do state-level rules affect your shipment delivery in the USA?
US federal customs rules govern import clearance at the port of entry, but some state-level regulations affect what can be delivered within certain states. Alcohol import regulations vary significantly by state and some states have specific controls on quantity and origin that apply regardless of federal clearance. Certain agricultural products may face additional state-level inspection requirements in California and other states with strict biosecurity controls. These state-specific factors are identified during your survey based on your exact destination address and factored into your shipping and documentation plan.
What happens if your US property is not ready when your shipment arrives?
If your US property is not ready to receive delivery, your shipment will need to be held in storage at destination. Post-arrival storage is coordinated through Trunk Logistics’ IAM-certified US partners and can be arranged as part of your move plan where needed. Pre-shipment storage at Trunk Logistics’ Essex depot is also available if your departure date and shipping schedule do not align. Both options are confirmed during your survey so storage requirements are planned rather than reactive.
Is marine insurance included in your UK to USA 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 confirmed during your survey. Given the transatlantic distance, number of handling stages, and Panama Canal routing involved in West Coast moves, adequate marine cover is strongly recommended for all UK to USA shipments.
Ready to Plan Your UK to USA Move?
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A Trunk Logistics specialist will contact you to confirm your shipment volume, verify your destination state routing, prepare your CBP customs documentation, and give you a fixed all-inclusive price, no hidden costs, no online estimates, delivered to any US state.
We will contact you to arrange a survey and confirm your East or West Coast routing, CBP documentation, shipping schedule, and fixed cost before you book
Message us if you need quick advice on your planned move to USA