Compare Removals to USA
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Moving to America is exciting but time-consuming and requires the aid of the most professional removal companies. By using one of our verified partners for your move to the USA, you could save up to 70% on your international removal costs, helping reduce the stress of moving house along the way.
With over 5,000 public-use airports, America sees thousands of movers every year. In fact, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta has previously been crowned the busiest but most efficient airport in the world.
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, LA or Dallas, Compare My Move will find you the best price and unbeatable service by matching you with up to 6 international removal 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.
Which Shipping Option Do You Need?
Before you begin the packing process, it’s important to research what kind of shipping options are available to you. Depending on your budget, you have several options to choose from when relocating to the USA.
Given the distance, transporting items via road isn't possible. However, the USA is accessible by sea and sky. Here are the modes of transportation you have to choose from during your move to America:
- Shipping Freight
- Part-Load
- Air Freight
The option you choose should depend on the size and volume of goods you have to move. You can choose one or more of the services listed above depending on your requirements.
Sea Freight
Sea freight is the most common and cost-effective choice for those relocating to the USA. You will be given the option of a shared or dedicated container, where your chosen removals team will then collect and deliver your items.
The average 2-3 bedroom home will need a 20ft shipping container, with larger homes best served by a 40ft container. The Port of Los Angeles is the largest port in North America, covering 7,500 acres.
A benefit of sea freight is that there is often plenty of room on the vessel for your household goods, reducing your carbon footprint. Items are also not typically charged by their weight, making it ideal when moving heavy or awkward furniture.
Choosing to ship your belongings via sea freight can take longer compared to other options such as air freight. Shipping from the UK to the USA via sea freight can take up to 30-40 days. A shared container load to the East Coast takes around 11 weeks on average, whilst it can take around 14 weeks if it is bound for the West Coast.
Be aware that due to the recent Covid-19 restrictions and regulations, shipping may take longer and be subject to checks.
Part-Load
When part-loading, you will be assigned a proportion of a large container for your move. The rest of the container will be filled with other people’s belongings, making it a cost-effective solution. Many of our international removal partners offer full and part-house loads.
The cost of part-load shipping will be calculated on the number of items you have to move. Whilst it’s a great solution for those with fewer items, the more you have to take on your travels, the higher the cost will be.
There can be limited space when using part-load services. But the containers are often tightly packed, meaning there is less space for your items to move around. This reduces the risk of damage. Before packing your items, make sure your removal company sends you the specific measurements for the containers.
Part-load shipping to the USA is not guaranteed to be quicker than a full container by sea freight.
Air Freight
If you’re not planning a full house move, the most suitable option may be air freight, providing it’s available to you.
Costs for air freight to the USA are usually determined by weight, so sea freight may well be your cheaper option. However, if you have the money and can access air freight shipping services to the US, the convenience and efficiency may make this the preferable option.
There are approximately 5,217 airports in America, making air freight one of the most available shipping options for movers. We discovered that standard air freight between the US and the UK takes around 8-10 days, making it a much quicker option compared to sea freight.
If you have a lower volume of items, this will likely be the better option for you as you won’t need all the space shipping containers provide. However, the cost will be based on weight so it may not be ideal if you’re moving heavy furniture.
Cost of Shipping Furniture to the USA
When looking at air freight costs to the USA, you will normally pay around £2 per kilo. As a result, a typical 4-bedroom house can cost somewhere in the region of £4,000 - £7,000. However, sea freight costs are calculated differently. This means that the total furniture removals cost can vary greatly.
Here are the average shipping container costs from the UK to America:
| Shipping Size | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| 20ft Container | £4,109 |
| 40ft Container | £6,080 |
The final price you’re quoted will vary depending on the volume of items you’re moving and your destination. For example, places like San Francisco and Los Angeles often cost more. It’s also recommended that you purchase either a Shipment Protection Cover or Maritime insurance policy to protect your items.
What Documentation Do I Need?
Here is the documentation required for your removal to the USA:
- Customs invoice for the shipment
- Passport
- US Visa
- Social Security Number
- Immigration documents e.g. work permit
Covid-19 Restrictions
According to the UK government, most fully vaccinated foreign citizens can enter the USA. The US authorities will accept any COVID-19 vaccine that has been approved by the World Health Organisation or the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
As of 12th June 2022, the CDC no longer requires pre-departure COVID-19 testing for USA-bound air travellers. If you are vaccinated, you do not need to quarantine upon arrival but will be recommended to take a viral test within 3 to 5 days.
Visas and Permits
Upon arrival, you will have the option of applying for a Green Card which will enable you to live and work in the USA on a permanent basis. Before this, however, you will require a visa.
There are several different types of residency and work visas available in the US. You need to ensure you have applied for the correct permit and visa before travelling.
Other popular overseas destinations
We also offer international removals to many destinations worldwide. Here are some other popular locations: