Key Takeways
- Container shipping from the UK costs between £2,000 and £12,000, depending on destination, container size, and service level.
- A 20ft container (≈33 m³) suits 1–2 bedroom homes; a 40ft container (≈76 m³) is best for 3–5 bedroom homes.
- LCL (shared container) is the most affordable option for moves under 15 m³. FCL is better value above that threshold.
- Comparing multiple quotes is the most reliable way to find the best price: container shipping rates vary significantly between companies.
Container Shipping Companies from the UK
Container moving companies manage the full process of shipping household goods overseas: packing, loading, customs clearance, international freight, and delivery at destination. They handle both full containers (FCL) and shared containers (LCL), covering routes to Europe, North America, Australia, the Middle East, and beyond.
Top 4 Best Container Moving Companies in the UK
Sirelo works with hundreds of international removal companies across the UK. The companies below specialise in overseas container moves and can quote for both FCL and LCL shipments.
How to Ship a Container Overseas from the UK
Shipping a container overseas from the UK involves six steps: estimating your volume, choosing a container size and load type, selecting a delivery method, booking a removal company, packing your goods, and preparing customs documents.
Key steps for shipping a container overseas
- Use Sirelo’s removal volume calculator to estimate your furniture in m³.
- Choose your container size: a 20ft container (≈33 m³) for 1–2 bedroom homes, or a 40ft container (≈76 m³) for larger households.
- Decide between FCL (private container) or LCL (shared container, pay per m³ used).
- Choose your delivery method: door-to-door, drop & fill, or port-to-port.
- Request quotes from international removal companies and compare on price and services.
- Pack your goods or use the company’s packing service, then prepare your inventory list and customs documents.
Why Use a Shipping Container for Moving Overseas?
A shipping container is the most practical and cost-effective way to move large volumes of household goods internationally. It offers significantly more space and better protection than air freight, at a fraction of the per-item cost.
Container Moving Services
| Service | What’s included |
|---|
| Delivery options | Door-to-door, drop & fill, or port-to-port |
| Customs clearance | Import and export documentation handled on your behalf |
| Packing services | Full packing, loading, and unpacking available on request |
| Storage | Short- and long-term options at origin or destination |
Request Free Moving Container Shipping Quotes
Compare quotes from international container shipping companies to find the right price for your move.
How Much Does Container Shipping Cost From the UK?
Container shipping from the UK costs between £2,000 and £12,000, depending on the destination, container size, and whether you use a private or shared container.
Container Shipping Overseas Rates per Destination
The main factors that affect the price are the distance with the destination, container size (20ft or 40ft), FCL vs. LCL, and any additional services such as packing, insurance, or storage.
| Destination | 20ft container | 40ft container |
|---|
| Europe (e.g. Germany) | £2,000 – £3,500 | £3,500 – £5,000 |
| USA (East Coast) | £3,500 – £5,000 | £5,500 – £8,000 |
| Canada | £4,000 – £6,000 | £6,500 – £9,500 |
| Australia | £6,000 – £8,500 | £9,000 – £12,000 |
Updated April 2026. Estimates only. Prices typically include fuel surcharges, port fees, and standard customs clearance. Packing, insurance, and storage are charged separately.
Related article
See a full breakdown of container shipping costs by destination and container size.
Shipping Details per Destination
- Prices typically range from £1,000 to £3,500
- Sea freight transit takes under a week
- Shipping to Europe is cost-effective and fast, thanks to ports and road networks
- Shipping to Dubai costs around £3,000 to £6,000
- Sea freight takes 3–5 weeks
- Air freight is available, but significantly more expensive
- Costs range from £7,500 to £10,000.
- Sea freight takes 6–8 weeks
- Air freight is available in around a week, but costs considerably more
- 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
FCL (Full Container Load) gives you exclusive use of a 20ft or 40ft container. LCL (Less than Container Load) lets you share a container with other shipments and pay only for the space you use. At around 15 m³, FCL typically becomes the better-value option.
| FCL | LCL |
|---|
| Best for | Moves over 15 m³ | Moves under 15 m³ |
| Cost | Higher upfront, better value at volume | Lower: pay per m³ used |
| Transit speed | Faster: departs on your schedule | Slower: container waits until full |
| Security | Higher | Standard |
Delivery Options for Container Shipping
There are three main delivery options for container shipping from the UK. The right choice depends on your budget and how much you want the removal company to manage:
| Option | What’s included | Cost |
|---|
| Door-to-door | Full service: packing, collection, customs handling, and delivery to your new home | High |
| Drop & fill | A container is delivered to your home for you to load; the company handles shipping | Medium |
| Port-to-port | You deliver goods to the UK port and collect at the destination port | Low |
Shipping a Car Overseas: Container vs. RoRo
You can ship a car overseas using a container or a roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) service. Before shipping, you will need your V5C logbook, insurance certificate, and proof of identity. Drain the fuel tank and secure any loose parts before handover.
Container Shipping for Cars
- Your car is secured inside a 20ft or 40ft container
- Can be combined with household goods in the same container, saving on overall costs
- Best protection against weather damage and road debris during transit
Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo) Shipping
- Your car is driven directly onto the ship and secured on a vehicle deck
- Usually cheaper than container shipping for vehicle-only moves
- Less protection compared to containerised transport
Related article
See a full breakdown of costs and requirements for moving your car abroad.
How to Pack a Container for Overseas
- Declutter first: only ship what’s worth the cost of sending overseas
- Use sturdy double-walled boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, and strong tape
- Place heavy items at the bottom; fragile items on top
- Disassemble large furniture to save space and reduce breakage risk
- Bag and label all small parts (screws, bolts) and tape them to the corresponding furniture piece
- Place heavy furniture (sofas, wardrobes, double beds) against container walls for stability
- Label every box with its contents, destination room, and fragile status
- Prepare a complete inventory list: this is required for customs clearance
Container Shipping Transport Modes
The two main transport options for shipping goods from the UK overseas are sea freight and air freight. The choice affects cost, transit time, and capacity.
Moving Overseas Via Sea Freight
Sea freight is the standard option for container shipping from the UK. It handles large volumes, connects most global ports, and costs far less than air freight.
Advantages
Most affordable option
Suitable for large volumes
Widely available
Lower environmental impact than air freight
Moving Overseas by Air Freight
Air freight is fast but expensive, and mainly used for urgent or small shipments.
Advantages
Very fast (1–7 days)
Efficient for small and time-sensitive shipments
Disadvantages
Significantly more expensive than sea freight
Limited capacity
Higher environmental impact
Shipping Container Sizes for Moving in the UK
The two standard sizes for international moves are the 20ft container and the 40ft container. The right choice depends on your household volume.
How Much Furniture Can Fit In a 20 Foot Container?
A 20ft container suits a 1–2 bedroom home, typically holding around 33 m³ of household goods, including furniture, appliances, and packed boxes.
![20 Foot Container for moving abroad]()
Dimensions, Volume, and Load of a 20ft Container
- Size: 5.9m × 2.4m × 2.6m
- Total volume: 33 m³ (approximately 1,179 ft³)
- Maximum load: 24,850 kg (54,783 lbs)
How Much Furniture Can Fit In a 40 Foot Container?
A 40ft container suits a 3–5 bedroom home and holds up to 76 m³ of goods, including everything that fits in a 20ft container plus larger items such as a car.
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Dimensions, Volume, and Load of a 20ft Container
- Size: 12.2m × 2.4m × 2.6m
- Total volume: 76 m³ (approximately 2,714 ft³)
- Maximum load: 30,200 kg (66,577 lbs)
Open-top containers are available for oversized or unusually shaped items. Refrigerated containers are used for temperature-sensitive goods such as food or plants.
Start Planning Your Move Overseas
Use Sirelo to compare international container shipping companies, estimate your volume, and get up to five free quotes. Request quotes from verified removal companies below.
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