Whether you are relocating abroad for work or pleasure, this is an exciting time. While the logistics of packing and moving your items to a new country can seem like a daunting task, it doesn't have to be. We can connect you with some of the best international removal companies in the UK.
Here are some key reasons why you should consider using Compare My Move when looking for an international removals company:
When moving overseas, there are multiple shipping options to consider depending on the number of items you have and where you are moving to. You can discuss your specific needs with your chosen international moving company.
Container shipping is the most popular and cheapest option for transporting items abroad. Items are typically shipped by sea, but can be moved by lorry or train too.
The most common container shipping sizes are 20ft and 40ft. If you're looking to ship a high volume of goods in addition to a motor vehicle, a 40ft container is the best option.
20ft containers are great if you still have many items to move, but don't have a vehicle to ship.
This is commonly referred to as shared container shipping and is a popular option to consider.
If you're shipping the contents of a small flat or a smaller number of items it's a fantastic option to consider.
It is often used in conjunction with other shipping options such as air or road freight for heavier items or ones you don't need to arrive as quickly.
While air freight is the fastest option for goods to be delivered to your destination country, its higher cost reflects this.
It is typically reserved for items needed immediately and smaller baggage due to weight limitations.
Some house removal companies will suggest sending a few select items by air and the rest via sea or part-load shipping.
When choosing an international removals company it's important to ensure they can provide the help you need. Most companies offer additional services to assist with your move at an extra cost. These can include but aren't limited to:
It's important to discuss your needs with the removals company before using their services. While most international moving companies do offer these services, you should always check this.
On average, it will cost £2,997 to ship furniture overseas. Exact costs will vary based on your chosen removals company, destination, and the weight and volume of goods.
You may want to factor in potential extra costs such as packing and unpacking, loading and unloading and insurance.
Shipping furniture overseas requires careful planning. You must choose the most suitable shipping option and a trusted and reliable international removals company.
Paying for packing services helps prevent items from getting damaged during transit. On average, this service costs £250.
All our international removal partners are fully covered by Goods in Transit and Public Liability insurance. This helps protect your items during transit.
It's also recommended to take out international removals insurance to provide you with additional peace of mind.
It's important to have everything you need before moving your pets abroad. This includes the correct vaccinations and documentation.
Most countries have slightly different rules regarding moving pets. As a result, a lot of planning needs to be considered. Our international removal companies can help.
Compare My Move is partnered with many European Removal Companies ready to help with your move to Europe. Our partners offer removal services to all European destinations. They can provide additional services to make your moving experience stress-free.
Moving to Spain? Find out all you need to know and compare verified companies.
Moving to France? Find out all you need to know and compare verified companies.
Moving to Germany? Find out all you need to know and compare verified companies.
Moving to Italy? Find out all you need to know and compare verified companies.
Compare My Move is partnered with several specialist international removal companies that can help with your long distance removals. From providing packing services to organising your shipping freight, our removal companies are there every step of the way.
Moving to the USA? Find out all you need to know and compare verified companies.
Moving to Australia? Find out all you need to know and compare verified companies.
Moving to South Africa? Find out all you need to know and compare verified companies.
Moving to New Zealand? Find out all you need to know and compare verified companies.
With 1.2 million British expats having emigrated to Australia, it's a popular place to consider. While the cost of living is higher than in the UK, wages are better.
Common reasons why people move to Australia are:
Around 700,000 British expats currently live in the USA. The average wage in the USA is almost double compared to the UK, which is a driving force for many people.
Positives of moving to the USA include:
New Zealand is home to nearly 211,000 British expats, provides a quieter pace of life and is a less densely populated country compared to the UK.
Popular reasons for people moving to New Zealand are:
Canada is a popular destination for British expats, with over 500,000 residing there. With its high standard of living and English being the predominant language.
The advantages of moving to Canada include:
The average international removal cost for 2025 is £1,780 for a 20ft container and £2,997 for a 40ft container. This is based on shipping freight.
It's important to note that many factors will affect overall shipping costs, such as:
- Size of shipment
- Distance
- Shared vs dedicated shipping container
- Transit method
- Additional services such as packing and customs clearance
- Time of year
Many things are prohibited when packing goods for a shipping container. These items include, but are not limited to:
- Flammable items (such as fireworks and petrol)
- Perishable goods (dairy and meat products)
- Illegal substances and items
- Animals
- Toxic substances
- Sentimental items you don't want to risk being damaged or lost
Ideally, you should book an international removals company around six weeks before your moving date. Keep in mind that more planning is involved with international removals compared to local removals so it can take longer to organise. Removal companies will become fully booked, so it's important to choose and organise your removals in good time.
Yes, you can ship a car overseas and sea freight is the most common way to do this. When shipping a car you need to factor in additional costs such as insurance, collection fees and taxes.
The time it takes to ship items internationally entirely depends on the type of transportation used, the volume of goods, the individual removals company used and the distance travelled. For example, shipping to the USA can take between 30-40 days via sea depending on the location, whereas shipping to France can be the same day if you use air freight.
All data unless otherwise stated is based on the average service cost data for Compare My Move users in addition to our own research. See how our data works.