How Many Containers Fit on a Ship? From Feeders to Mega-Ships
By Steve Joury / octobre 23, 2026
How many containers fit on a ship? From 1,000 TEU feeders to 24,000+ TEU mega-ships, what a TEU is, how...
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Last updated: 23 October 2026
Shipping your home across the Atlantic is a big step, but removals to the USA follow a well-worn route. Most go by sea in a container from Southampton, Felixstowe or London Gateway to East Coast ports such as New York, Baltimore or Savannah, or through the Panama Canal to the West Coast. This guide covers 2026 costs, transit times and US customs rules.
Removals to the USA: typical costs in 2026| Taille du déplacement | East Coast (NY, NJ, Boston, Florida) | West Coast (LA, San Francisco, Seattle) |
|---|---|---|
| Shared container, small move (100–300 cu ft) | £1,500–£3,000 | £2,000–£3,800 |
| 1–2 bedroom (shared or 20ft) | £3,500–£6,500 | £4,500–£8,000 |
| 2–3 bedroom (20ft container) | £5,500–£9,000 | £6,500–£11,000 |
| 4–5 bedroom (40ft container) | £8,000–£13,000 | £9,500–£15,000 |
Indicative door-to-door ranges. Inland states such as Texas, Colorado or Illinois add trucking or rail from the port.
How long do removals to the USA take?
| Itinéraire | Sea transit | Door to door |
|---|---|---|
| UK to New York, New Jersey or Boston | 10–14 days | 4–8 weeks |
| UK to Florida or Georgia | 14–20 days | 5–9 weeks |
| UK to Texas (Houston) | 18–24 days | 6–10 weeks |
| UK to California or Seattle | 25–35 days | 7–12 weeks |
Shared container moves take longer than a dedicated container, because the container must fill first.
US customs: what you need
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) clears household goods at the port.
- CBP Form 3299: the declaration for duty-free entry of personal and household effects
- Detailed inventory: a packing list of every box, with values
- Passport and visa or green card: US citizens returning and new residents are treated slightly differently.
- Arrival rule: you generally need to be in the US when your goods clear, or authorise an agent.
- Duty-free conditions: used household goods you have owned for a year or more are normally duty-free for residents moving to the US.
- ISF filing: your mover files an Importer Security Filing before the ship sails.
What you can’t or shouldn’t ship
- Food, plants, seeds and soil
- Alcohol beyond small amounts, which brings duty and state rules
- UK electrical appliances: the US runs on 110–120V, so kettles and toasters won’t work
- Firearms without permits
- Items with prohibited ivory or protected wildlife
Choosing your removals company
- Get three in-home or video surveys.
- Check trade memberships, such as BAR Overseas or FIDI.
- Ask for a breakdown of US destination charges, including port fees, customs exams and delivery.
- Ask about customs exam fees. CBP sometimes X-rays or opens containers, at your cost.
- Insure your goods for the replacement value.
See our moving to the USA from the UK guide, shipping a car from the USA to the UK et moving money abroad.
Cross the Atlantic by ship yourself
Rather than flying, some movers sail with their belongings. Container ships with passenger cabins cross the Atlantic in about 10–14 days. Read par bateau, du Royaume-Uni vers les États-Unis et cargo ship travel from the UK to the USA.
Foire aux questions
How much does it cost to ship furniture to the USA from the UK?
A 20ft container for a 2–3 bedroom home typically costs £5,500–£11,000 door to door, depending on the coast.
How long does it take to ship household goods to the USA?
Usually 4–8 weeks door to door to the East Coast, and 7–12 weeks to the West Coast.
What is CBP Form 3299?
It is the US customs declaration used to bring personal and household effects in duty-free.
Do I pay duty on household goods moving to the USA?
Used household goods you have owned for over a year are normally duty-free for new residents.
Can I take my UK appliances to the USA?
Most won’t work on the US 110–120V supply without a transformer, so many people sell them.
Sail across the Atlantic
Ask us about passenger cabins on container ships from the UK to the USA.
Get a voyage quote →
Steve Joury
Conseiller en voyages Cargo chez Cargoholidays
Passionné par le voyage lent et la mer. Steve connaît la plupart des routes maritimes et des procédures pour découvrir notre beau monde depuis la mer sur un porte-conteneurs. Il a participé à la plupart des voyages, de 7 jours en cargo à 140 jours à bord.
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