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If you’re moving from the UK to the USA, understanding container shipping costs, transit times, and delivery options is essential. Shipping a container from the UK to the US is the most effective way to move your household goods overseas. This article covers everything you need to know, including how to get started, costs, top-rated international moving companies, free quotes, and delivery options.
The average cost of a shipping container from the UK to the USA ranges between £3,800 and £5,500 for a 20ft container, and between £5,900 and £8,500 for a 40ft container.
The final price depends on:
| 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 |
Updated in February 2026.
Disclaimer: The above container shipping costs fluctuate based on fuel prices, global shipping demand, port congestion, and container availability. Rates typically increase during the peak moving season (May–August).
Typical transit times for container shipping from the UK to the USA are around 4 to 8 weeks for sea freight, depending on the route.
Typical transit times:
Sea freight is the most common and affordable method for household moves.
| Method | Cost | Best For |
| Sea Freight | £3,800–£8,500+ | Full household moves & cars |
| Air Freight | 3–5x sea cost | Urgent or small shipments |
Container shipping to the USA is significantly more economical than air freight in most cases, especially for small household moves.
See more about container sizes in our container shipping guide.
Full Container Load (FCL) is faster and more secure, while Less than Container Load (LCL) is cheaper for smaller moves under 15 m³.
Shipping furniture to the USA typically involves:
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) used household goods are generally duty-free when imported for personal use.
Shipping a container to the USA involves six 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.
1. Calculate your household volume (m³)
2. Choose container size (20ft or 40ft)
3. Select FCL or LCL
4. Choose delivery method:
5. Prepare documentation:
6. Book shipment and schedule container loading
The delivery method for your move from the UK to the US influences the cost, convenience, and transit time. Door-to-door is the easiest option, while port-to-port is the cheapest.
The cheapest shipping method depends on:
Because ocean freight rates fluctuate, the most reliable way to determine your exact container shipping cost is to compare multiple international movers.
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