Since the UK left the EU, moving household goods overseas involves customs declarations even for short trips to Europe. This guide explains the paperwork, the shipping options and the realistic costs in pounds sterling for 2026.
Road vs sea vs air freight
- Road (Europe): Groupage or dedicated HGV via Eurotunnel (Folkestone-Calais) or the Dover-Calais ferry. Typically 3-10 days door to door.
- Sea freight (worldwide): FCL (20ft or 40ft container) or LCL (shared container) via Felixstowe, Southampton or London Gateway. Typically 4-12 weeks.
- Air freight: Fast (5-10 days) but expensive and only suitable for small volumes of essentials.
Typical international removal costs from the UK (2026)
| Destination | 1-bed (approx. 15m³) | 3-bed (approx. 38m³) | Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland | £900 - £1,500 | £2,200 - £3,600 | 3-6 days |
| Spain / Portugal | £1,400 - £2,300 | £3,200 - £5,200 | 5-10 days |
| France / Germany / Italy | £1,100 - £1,900 | £2,700 - £4,500 | 4-8 days |
| USA / Canada (sea) | £2,400 - £4,200 | £5,500 - £9,500 | 5-9 weeks |
| Australia / New Zealand (sea) | £2,800 - £4,800 | £6,000 - £10,500 | 8-12 weeks |
| UAE / Dubai (sea) | £2,000 - £3,600 | £4,800 - £8,000 | 4-7 weeks |
Customs paperwork you will need
- EU countries: a detailed inventory, UK export declaration, and the destination country customs import declaration. Many EU states grant Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief, so you pay no import duty on personal effects you have owned and used for at least 6 months.
- Spain: proof of Padron registration and TIE/NIE residency documents are normally requested for duty-free import.
- USA: CBP Form 3299 (Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles) and Form 7501 where applicable, plus an itemised inventory.
- Australia: B534 Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement, with biosecurity inspection for wooden items, outdoor equipment and food.
- Switzerland and Norway: a customs declaration with an inventory and proof of change of residence.
How to reduce the cost of moving abroad
- Ship only what is worth the cost: replacing bulky furniture is often cheaper than shipping it.
- Choose groupage or LCL if you have under 20m³.
- Book at least 8 weeks ahead for sea freight and avoid peak summer demand.
- Check whether door-to-door includes customs clearance and destination delivery or only port-to-port.
Moving within the UK instead? See UK removal costs or backloading options.