Key Takaways- Shipping a container from the UK is a cost-effective way to move overseas. A 20ft container (≈33 m³) suits 1-2 bedroom homes, while a 40ft container (≈67-76 m³) is best for families.
- Prices range from £2,000 to £12,000, depending on the destination, service level, and whether you book a full or shared container.
- Some of the best container shipping companies include Square One Relocation, Total Moving Solutions, and Burke Bros Moving Group.
Container Shipping Services & Companies
Summary: Specialist container moving companies manage every step of international relocation, from packing and customs paperwork to shipping overseas.
Container moving services are ideal for international relocations and moving household goods abroad. Shipping container moving services in the UK can range from full-service support to budget-friendly options.
Recommended Container Moving Companies in the UK
With Sirelo, you can browse hundreds of container removal companies in the UK and find the best match for your international relocation.
The moving overseas shipping companies below are trusted by expats relocating worldwide. They provide quotes, help with customs, and ensure your goods are safely transported overseas.
Top 5 Best Container Moving Companies
9.0
219
Northolt
44 ratings as Professional
44 ratings as "Professional"
Sirelo Top Mover
9.7
471
Walsall
24 ratings as Good Price
24 ratings as "Good Price"
Sirelo Top Mover
9.8
195
Wolverhampton
46 ratings as Professional
46 ratings as "Professional"
Sirelo Top Mover
9.0
227
London
34 ratings as Professional
34 ratings as "Professional"
Sirelo Top Mover
9.6
230
Luton
3 ratings as Good Price
3 ratings as "Good Price"
Looking for container shipping companies near you? Find trusted container moving services across the UK using our international movers directory — compare companies by location, services, and reviews.
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How to Ship a Container Overseas from UK
Summary: Shipping a container overseas involves five key steps: planning, choosing services, packing, handling customs, and delivery.
In a nutshell, these are the key steps for shipping a container overseas. In the rest of this article, we’ll explain each step in more depth.
- Request free quotes from international removal companies to compare
- Use Sirelo’s removal volume calculator to estimate your furniture size in m³
- Decide between a 20ft or 40ft container, depending on your household size
- Choose between a private container (FCL) or a shared container (LCL)
- Pick from door-to-door delivery, drop & fill, or port-to-port
- Pack yourself or hire a moving company (recommended for overseas moves)
- Ensure large furniture is disassembled, fragile items protected, and boxes labelled
- Provide an inventory list, identification, and import/export documents
- Container is transported overseas and delivered to your address or port of arrival
- Transit takes 1 week (Europe) to 4 to 6 weeks (USA), or longer for Australia/New Zealand
Why Use a Shipping Container for Moving Overseas?
A shipping container for moving overseas is a secure and cost-effective way to transport household goods, cars, or personal belongings abroad.
Using a container for moving abroad is a popular choice. A container moving service arranges the transport of your household goods in a 20ft or 40ft container, including packing, customs, and delivery overseas.
What Container Movers Do
Shipping container moving services vary depending on your needs and budget. They can:
- Provide advice on the right container size (20ft or 40ft)
- Organise international shipping by sea or land
- Offer different service levels (see “Shipping Container Delivery Options”):
- Port-to-Port: Delivery to and from ports
- Drop & Fill: Container is delivered to your home for you to load
- Door-to-Door: Removal company handles everything from A to Z
- Handle customs clearance and required documentation
- Offer packing, loading, and unpacking services (including materials)
- Provide short- or long-term storage
- Assistance with shipping cars, motorbikes, and transporting pets abroad
How Much Does Container Shipping Cost From the UK?
Key Takeaway: Moving abroad a container from the UK costs between £2,000 and £12,000, depending on the destination, container size, and service level. A 20ft container to Europe starts from around £2,000, while a 40ft container to Australia or the USA can cost up to £12,000.
Container Shipping Overseas Rates
The main factors influencing the container shipping overseas rates are distance, container size (20ft or 40ft), and whether you book a full or shared container.
- Longer routes like Australia or the USA cost more
- Sea freight is slower, but the most common and cheapest option
- Air freight is faster, but more expensive and mostly used for small shipments only
- 20ft container: Great for 1 to 2 bedroom homes (≈33 m³)
- 40ft container: Best for 3 to 5 bedroom homes (≈67-76 m³)
- Full container load (FCL) vs. shared container (LCL) affects the price (more below)
- Extras like packing, insurance, and storage add to the price
- Use Sirelo’s removal volume calculator to estimate your furniture size
| Destination | 20ft container | 40ft container |
| USA (East Coast) | £3,500 – £5,000 | £5,500 – £8,000 |
| Australia | £6,000 – £8,500 | £9,000 – £12,000 |
| Canada | £4,000 – £6,000 | £6,500 – £9,500 |
| Germany | £2,000 – £3,500 | £3,500 – £5,000 |
The moving internationally shipping rates above include fuel, port fees, and customs clearance. Prices vary based on factors such as the company and season, and increase if you add packing, insurance, or storage.
Shipping Details per Destination
- Shipping to Europe is cost-effective and fast, thanks to ports and road networks
- Prices are typically £1,000 to £3,500
- Sea freight takes less than a week from the UK
- Costs around £3,000 to £6,000
- Sea freight takes 3-5 weeks
- Air freight is faster but far more expensive
- Costs range from £7,500 to £10,000
- Sea freight takes up to a month
- Air freight can deliver in a week, but much more costly
- Moving costs range from £3,400 to £5,400
- Sea freight is most common, with transit times of around 4 weeks
- Air freight takes only 1 to 3 days
- Sea freight to the East Coast costs £2,500 to £5,500
- Sea transport takes roughly 4 to 6 weeks
- Air freight is faster but significantly more expensive
Shipping Container Options
FCL vs. LCL
Summary: FCL is a private container for one household, while LCL is a shared container where you only pay for the space you use. LCL is the cheapest option for smaller moves. At around 15m³ a FCL container usually is more cost-effective.
- Full Container Load (FCL): You rent an entire 20ft or 40ft container. Best for households with larger volumes (20-30m³ or more). Faster, more flexible, and secure.
- Less than Container Load (LCL): You share a container with others. Best for smaller moves (<15m³). Cheaper, but shipping takes longer as containers only depart when full.
Delivery Options: Shipping Container for Moving Overseas
Summary: Choose between door-to-door, drop & fill, or port-to-port delivery. Your decision affects cost, transit time, and convenience; that’s why international relocation shipping companies can guide you based on budget and volume.
- Door-to-Door: The moving company handles everything from packing, collection, and customs to final delivery. Most convenient, but more expensive.
- Drop & Fill: A container is delivered to your home for you to fill, then collected and shipped abroad. Budget-friendly, but requires careful packing.
- Port-to-Port: You drop belongings at the UK port and collect them at the destination port. Cheapest, but requires extra coordination at both ends.
Shipping a Car Overseas: Container vs. RoRo
Summary: You can ship a car overseas using a container or roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) service, with prices depending on the destination, vehicle size, and method.
When shipping a car overseas, costs vary based on the destination, shipping method, and vehicle dimensions.
You’ll need a V5C logbook, bill of sale, insurance certificate, and proof of identity. Before shipping, prepare your vehicle for shipment by cleaning it out, securing any loose parts, and draining the fuel tank. The transit time is typically 4-8 weeks, depending on the destination.
Container Shipping for Cars
- Your car is secured inside a 20ft or 40ft container
- Offers maximum protection against damage and weather
- Can be combined with household goods in the same container
Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo) Shipping
- Your vehicle is driven directly onto the ship and secured on deck
- Usually cheaper than container shipping
- Less protection compared to containerised transport
How to Pack a Container for Overseas
Summary: Careful packing reduces the risk of damage during an international move. Use sturdy materials, distribute weight evenly, and secure all items inside the container.
- Declutter and decide what’s worth shipping overseas
- Use sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, and strong tape
- Place heavy items on the bottom, lighter and fragile items on top
- Wrap large items with blankets, bubble wrap, or specialised covers
- Use cardboard to prevent scratches
- Disassemble large furniture to save space and reduce breakage
- Bag small pieces (screws), label, and tape them to their corresponding furniture
- Place heavier furniture pieces (sofas, double beds, wardrobes) against the container walls for stability
- Prevent shifting by filling gaps with soft materials (towels, cushions, foam)
- Tie down larger items and ensure nothing can move during transport
- Label boxes based on fragile items, room destination, and contents
- Pack furniture with professional movers, especially fragile items or unusual shapes
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Container Shipping Transport Modes
As we mentioned, the type of transport you opt for will influence your container shipping costs.
Moving Overseas Via Sea Freight
Advantages
Affordably covers long distances
Cheapest option
Eco-friendly
Best choice for larger volumes
Moving Overseas by Air Freight
Advantages
Very quick (just a few days)
Efficient
Disadvantages
Elevated costs
Only for transporting small amounts
Higher environmental impact
Is Container Shipping a Better Transport Mode?
Container shipping is a highly cost-effective choice if you’re planning to move overseas or over a long distance. The possibility to move large quantities of items efficiently and the eco-friendly nature of this mode of transport – compared to air freight -makes it the best option to move overseas.
Shipping Container Sizes for Moving in the UK
If you’re uncertain about what size or type of shipping container to select, a range of options is available. Depending on your needs and possessions you have, you may choose between a 20ft or 40ft container.
How Much Furniture Can Fit In a 20 Foot Container?
A 20-foot container can hold the contents of a small apartment or 1–3-bedroom house. This includes furniture, appliances, boxes and two-wheel vehicles.
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Dimensions, Volume, and Load of a 20ft Container
- Size: 1m x 2.4m x 2.6m
- Total volume: 1,179 ft3 (33.0 m³)
- Total shipping load: 54,783 lbs (24,850 kg)
How Much Furniture Can Fit In a 40 Foot Container?
A 40-foot container can hold larger home belongings or a four-bedroom house. This includes all the items a 20ft can contain (furniture, home appliances, boxes, bicycles, etc.) plus larger ones, like a car.
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Dimensions, Volume, and Load of a 20ft Container
- Size: 12.2m x 2.4m x 2.6m
- Total volume: 2,714 ft3 (76.0 m³)
- Total shipping load: 66,577 lbs (30,200 kg)
Shipping containers are available in different sizes and designs to meet specific needs. Open-top containers are ideal for large or bulky items, while refrigerated containers are used for temperature-sensitive goods like food and plants.
Start Planning Your Move Overseas
After reading this guide, you’ll hopefully have a better idea of what to consider when moving internationally. It can be a daunting project, but don’t be discouraged if it seems overwhelming! With a bit of planning and organization in time, you’ll be on your way to a successful move.
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