Key Takeaway: UK to USA Ship: Moving a shipping container from the UK to US takes 4-8 weeks and costs between £3,800 and £8,500, depending on container size (20ft or 40ft), delivery method (door-to-door, drop & fill, or port-to-port), and your destination (East or West Coast).
Costs of Shipping a Container from UK to USA
Summary: The shipping rates from UK to USA range between £3,800 to £8,500, depending on container size (20ft or 40ft), destination, and included services.
Average UK to USA Shipping Costs
The UK to USA shipping rates range, depending on:
- Supply and demand
- Container size (20ft or 40ft) and whether it’s shared or your own
- Route and total distance
- Delivery method (door-to-door, drop & fill, or port-to-port)
- Add-on services like insurance, packing, or storage
Below are the approximate costs of shipping 20ft and 40ft containers from UK to USA.
| Destination | 20-foot Container Shipping | 40-foot Container Shipping |
| Chicago | £4,800 – £5,100 | £7,600 – £8,000 |
| Houston | £4,900 – £5,200 | £7,300 – £7,600 |
| Los Angeles | £5,200 – £5,500 | £8,100 – £8,500 |
| Miami | £3,800 – £3,900 | £5,900 – £6,200 |
| New York | £4,500 – £4,800 | £6,600 – £6,800 |
| San Francisco | £5,550 – £5,775 | £8,200 – £8,500 |
Disclaimer: The above container shipping costs fluctuate due to supply and demand. Rates typically include port fees and customs clearance but exclude extra services.
Get Personalised Shipping Quotes from UK to USA
The most accurate way to know your shipping container UK to USA cost is to request tailored quotes on Sirelo, so you can compare multiple international movers in one go.
Cheapest Shipping Container from USA to UK
Summary: The cheapest option to ship a container to the USA is through trusted international movers with competitive rates, efficient service, and tailored options. Compare movers on Sirelo, request free quotes, and compare to find the best price.
Browse Sirelo’s top-rated international movers and compare services and rates. Read independent reviews, check certifications, and read more details on their profiles to find the best match. Then request five free shipping quotes from the UK to USA, directly on Sirelo.
Start your search with these top-rated moving companies from UK to US.
Request Free Shipping Quotes UK to USA
If you want to find the best bang for your buck or you just pinch some pennies on your moving from the UK to the USA shipping cost, then request free removal quotes! Just click below and receive up to 5 removal company quotes that you can then compare for service, quality, and costs. It’s the best way to find the right service for you and can save you money.
Shipping from United Kingdom to United States
Summary: Container shipping from England to the United States is the most common and cost-effective method, with transit times of 4 to 8 weeks.
A shipping container to move to USA from UK is a common method to transport belongings securely and in bulk. For England to US shipping, 20ft or 40ft containers are used. Sea freight is most common. It’s slower but far cheaper than air freight.
- East Coast (New York, Miami): 4 to 6 weeks transit time
- West Coast (LA, San Francisco): 6 to 8 weeks transit time
- Air freight: 1-2 weeks, but much more expensive
Container Shipping vs. Air Freight
Summary:
Container shipping to the US by sea is slower but affordable. Air freight is faster but far more expensive, and mainly used for urgent or minimal shipments.
- Sea freight takes 4-8 weeks, with an average cost of £2,500 to £12,000 for England to US shipping. It’s best for households, cars, and furniture.
- Air freight takes 1-2 weeks and can cost up to 5 times as much as sea freight. It’s best for urgent shipments and small items.
How to Ship a Container to the USA
Summary: Shipping a container to the USA involves five main steps: calculating your household volume, selecting the container size and delivery method, requesting free quotes via Sirelo, preparing documents, and shipping to the US.
Calculate Your HouseHold Volume
Choose Container Shipping Size
- With the calculated m³, decide between a 20ft or 40ft container
- 20-foot shipping containers are ~33 m³ and great for 1-2 bedroom homes
- 40-foot shipping containers are 67-76 m³ and suited for 3-5 bedroom homes
- Select between FCL (Full Container Load) or LCL (shared container)
Select Delivery Method
- Door-to-Door: Movers handle everything from packing to delivery
- Drop & Fill: Container is delivered for you to pack yourself
- Port-to-Port: Cheapest, but you need to arrange drop-off and pick-up
Request Free Shipping Quotes
Prepare Documentation for Shipping to USA
- Make an inventory list of all items
- Prepare passport and visa documents
- Fill out the customs forms for importing goods to the USA
- International moving companies to US usually assist with customs clearance
Start Shipping Furniture UK to USA
- Pack yourself or hire professional movers
- Disassemble furniture and large items
- Ensure fragile items are securely wrapped and boxes labelled
- Container is shipped to US in 4-8 weeks, depending on the destination
Sign up and receive our tips for moving house internationally & other guides
Sirelo uses the information you provide to us to contact you about our relevant content and services. You may unsubscribe at any time. For more information check our
privacy policyThank you for subscribing
Shipping Household Goods from UK to USA
Summary: For shipping furniture from UK to USA, 20ft or 40ft containers are used, either shared (LCL) or your own (FCL). Containers are more common than pods. Choose between door-to-door, drop & fill, or port-to-port delivery.
20ft vs. 40ft Containers
A 20ft container holds ~33 m³ (1-2 bedroom homes), while a 40ft container holds 67-76 m³ (3-5 bedroom households) or US moves including a car.
What Fits in a 20-feet Container (≈33 m³):
- 1-2 double beds and wardrobes
- Living room set: sofa, coffee table, TV stand
- Dining table with 4 chairs
- Kitchen appliances (fridge, washing machine, microwave)
- ~100 medium moving boxes
- Small extras like bicycles or garden furniture
What Fits in a 40-feet Container (67-76 m³):
- Furniture from a 3-5 bedroom home
- Large living room set: sectional sofa, dining table with 6-8 chairs
- Multiple wardrobes, beds, and dressers
- Kitchen appliances (oven, dishwasher)
- ~200-250 moving boxes
- Large items like a piano, fitness equipment, a car alongside furniture
FCL vs. LCL Shipping
Summary: Full Container Load (FCL) is faster and more secure, while Less than Container Load (LCL) is cheaper for smaller moves under 15 m³.
- FCL: Private container, ideal for full households and families. No delays waiting for container sharing.
- LCL: Shared container with other movers, paying only for the space you use. Cheaper, but longer shipping times (first ships when the container is full).
Container vs. Moving Pod Delivery
Summary: In the UK, international relocations use shipping containers, while moving pod delivery is for domestic moves within the USA.
- Containers: Standard for overseas moves, offered in 20ft and 40ft sizes
- Pods: Portable storage often used for moves inside the US
- Some movers may mention pods, but they aren’t available for shipping overseas
Door-to-Door vs. Drop & Fill and Port-to-Port
Summary: The delivery method for your move from the UK to the US influences the cost, convenience, and transit time. Door-to-door is easiest, while port-to-port is cheapest.
- Door-to-Door: Most popular: Movers pack, ship, and deliver from the UK to US.
- Drop & Fill: A container is dropped at your home, you load it yourself, and movers handle transport. Cheaper, but requires effort and careful packing.
- Port-to-Port: You deliver your goods to the port and collect them in the US. The cheapest shipping option, but it requires coordination from your side.
Back
Network of 500+ movers
150,000 moves annually
