Shipping Boxes to the USA from the UK: Costs 2026

Last updated: 23 October 2026

Moving to the USA, studying there or sending things to family? Shipping a few boxes is much cheaper than a full removal. Your main choices are sea freight, air freight and courier, and the right one depends on how many boxes you have and how soon you need them. Here are 2026 costs and the US customs rules you need to know.

Your options compared

Method	Typical cost per box (about 25 kg)	Transit time	Best for
Sea freight (shared container)	£50–£110	4–8 weeks (East Coast), 6–10 weeks (West Coast)	5+ boxes, not urgent
Air freight (baggage service)	£120–£250	1–2 weeks	Essentials needed sooner
Express courier	£150–£400	2–5 days	One or two urgent boxes
Excess airline baggage	£70–£200	Same day	One extra case on your flight

Indicative 2026 prices, door to door. Sea freight services often have a minimum charge.

Container cargo ship at sea — Sea freight to the US East Coast takes about two weeks at sea.

Sea freight: best value for several boxes

Boxes travel in a shared container across the Atlantic, usually to New York, New Jersey, Baltimore or Savannah, then on to your address by truck.

East Coast is quickest and cheapest; inland and West Coast addresses take longer.
The price per box falls as volume increases.
Pallets may work out cheaper for 10+ boxes. See pallet shipping from the UK.

US customs: what you need

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspects all shipments.

Personal effects: used personal belongings can often enter duty-free for people moving to the US. You’ll usually file CBP Form 3299.
Gifts: gifts sent to the US have a small duty-free allowance; larger gifts may attract duty.
Packing list: an accurate, itemised list with values is essential.
Prohibited items: food (especially meat and fresh produce), plants, soil, some medicines, and anything made from protected species.
ISF filing: for sea freight, your shipping company files an Importer Security Filing before departure.

Crane loading containers at sunrise — US customs clears personal effects at the port of entry.

How to save money

Weigh and measure every box. Volumetric weight can cost more than actual weight.
Use sturdy boxes filled to the top.
Book sea freight early, so the boxes arrive around the same time as you.
Compare door-to-door and depot delivery.
Don’t ship cheap, heavy items such as books or kitchen basics; buy them in the US.

Moving more than a few boxes?

For furniture or 20+ boxes, a shared container removal is usually better. See removals to the USA, moving to the USA and how to ship luggage internationally.

Cross the Atlantic by sea

Some container ships carry passengers across the Atlantic. Read boat from the UK to the USA and transatlantic cruise from the UK.

Frequently asked questions

What is the cheapest way to ship boxes to the USA?

Sea freight in a shared container is usually cheapest for five or more boxes.

How much does it cost to send a box from the UK to the USA?

Roughly £50–£110 per 25 kg box by sea, or £120–£400 by air freight or courier.

How long does it take to ship boxes to the USA by sea?

Usually 4–8 weeks door to door to the East Coast, longer to the West Coast.

Do I pay duty on personal boxes sent to the USA?

Used personal effects are often duty-free for new residents with CBP Form 3299. Gifts have a limited allowance.

What can’t I send to the USA?

Food (especially meat and fresh produce), plants, soil, some medicines and protected wildlife products.

Cross the Atlantic on a cargo ship

Ask us about passenger cabins from the UK to the USA.

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Steve Joury

Cargo trip advisor at Cargoholidays

Passionate about slow trip travel and sea. Steve know most shipping route and procedure to discover our beautiful world from sea on a container ship. He have been at most trips from 7 days on cargo travel to 140 days on board.