Last updated: 22 October 2026
Moving abroad from the UK means your furniture, boxes and often your car will travel by sea. Almost every international removal outside Europe goes in a shipping container on a cargo ship. Understanding how that works is the best way to avoid overpaying, choose the right mover, and know when your sofa will actually arrive.
This guide explains the options, typical costs and transit times for the most popular destinations, the paperwork you need, and the questions to ask every removals company before you sign.
An international removal has four stages:
The sea voyage is usually the longest part. Container ships run fixed weekly services, so your belongings sail on the same kind of ship that cargo ship passengers travel on.
| Option | Best for | Typical volume | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full 20ft container | 2–3 bedroom home | Around 1,000 cu ft | Sealed at your door, fastest sea option | You pay for the whole box |
| Full 40ft container | 3–5 bedroom home | Around 2,000 cu ft | Best price per cubic foot | Needs good road access |
| Groupage (shared) | Smaller moves | 50–600 cu ft | Pay only for the space you use | Slower, as it waits for a full load |
| Air freight | Essentials | A few boxes | Arrives in days | Very expensive per kilo |
| Road (Europe) | France, Spain, Germany etc. | Any | Door to door in days | Costs rise with distance |
Most families moving to Australia, New Zealand, Canada or the USA ship a 20ft container and send a small air-freight consignment of essentials so they can live normally while the container is at sea.
Prices depend on volume, destination, access at both ends, packing, insurance and fuel surcharges. As a rough 2026 guide for a full container door to door:
| Destination | Typical sea time | Indicative cost, 20ft | Indicative cost, 40ft |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA east coast | 2–3 weeks | £4,000–£7,000 | £6,000–£10,000 |
| Canada | 2–3 weeks | £4,500–£7,500 | £6,500–£10,500 |
| Australia | 5–7 weeks | £5,000–£9,000 | £7,000–£12,000 |
| New Zealand | 6–8 weeks | £6,000–£10,000 | £8,000–£13,000 |
| Dubai / UAE | 3–4 weeks | £3,500–£6,000 | £5,000–£8,500 |
| Spain (road) | 3–7 days | £2,500–£5,500 | n/a |
These are indicative ranges only. Always get at least three written quotes based on a proper survey.
Ways to cut the cost:
Allow the sea time above, plus one to two weeks at each end for collection, port handling and customs. A UK to Australia removal usually takes 8 to 12 weeks door to door. Delays happen when ships are rerouted, ports are congested or customs pick a container for inspection, so never plan to move into an empty house on the day your container is due.
Some movers like to sail too. A cabin on a container ship lets you cross the ocean in the same way as your furniture, with a lot more luggage allowance than a flight. Read about moving to Australia by ship or ask us about cargo ship voyages on your route.
A full 20ft container door to door typically costs from around £4,000 to the USA or Canada and from around £5,000 to Australia, depending on volume, access and services.
Groupage, or a shared container, is usually cheapest for smaller moves because you only pay for the space you use. For a full house, a 40ft container gives the lowest price per cubic foot.
Usually 3–5 weeks to North America and 8–12 weeks to Australia or New Zealand, door to door.
Usually not, if you qualify for transfer of residence relief and have owned the items for a minimum period. Check the rules of your destination country.
Often yes, in a 40ft container with your household goods. It needs separate customs paperwork, and some countries have strict import rules.
At least 2–3 months before your move, and earlier for summer moves.
Tell us where you are moving and we’ll check passenger cabins on ships sailing your route.
Get a cargo ship voyage quote →
