The Short Answer
On our estimates, a small move in a shared container costs about £550 to £2,000. A full 20ft container, roughly a three-bed house, is £3,000 to £9,000, and a 40ft container for a four-bed £6,000 to £12,000. The destination makes a big difference.
Packing and insurance are usually on top. If you're moving to the UK, apply for transfer of residence relief before you ship, or you could pay duty and VAT on your own belongings.
International removal prices
| How it ships | Roughly suits | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Shared container (part load) | some boxes and a few pieces | £550 to £2,000 |
| 20ft container | a three-bed house | £3,000 to £9,000 |
| 40ft container | a four-bed house | £6,000 to £12,000 |
| Air freight | varies | £2,700 to £7,900 |
| Item | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Full packing service | £600 to £2,300 |
| Insurance premium | £100 to £1,600 |
Why the destination matters
The same container can cost very different amounts depending on where it's going. When we checked in October 2026, Shipit (1st Move International), an international shipping firm, priced a 20ft container at £2,200 to £3,700 to Cyprus, £3,000 to £4,500 to the USA, £3,122 to £4,950 to Australia and £5,000 to £8,500 to South Africa. Treat our ranges as a starting point and get quotes for your actual destination.
Moving to the UK: transfer of residence relief
GOV.UK says you might have to pay tax and customs duty on personal belongings you bring to the UK, but you may be able to claim transfer of residence (ToR) relief. Fill in form ToR01 before you move. To qualify, you must:
- have lived outside the UK for at least 12 consecutive months before moving;
- bring the goods in within 12 months of coming to live in the UK;
- have had the goods in your possession for at least 6 months before moving, and use them for the same purpose here.
It covers household and personal effects, furniture, vehicles and pets, and the goods can come in several shipments. It doesn't cover alcohol, tobacco or commercial vehicles. You can't lend, hire out, transfer or use the goods as security for 12 months after you move. Without relief, you pay customs duty and VAT on the value plus shipping and insurance before you can collect your things.
Moving abroad from the UK
The rules on what you can bring in, and any duty, are set by the country you're moving to. Ask your mover, and I'd check the destination government's own guidance too, especially for vehicles, pets and alcohol.
Choosing a mover
I'd get at least three surveys, ask how each firm measures the volume, and compare like with like: door to door or port to port, packing included or not, and the insurance limits. The British Association of Removers lists members who handle moves to other countries; see house removals for what membership gives you. Clearing out first saves shipping things you don't want: see house clearance.
Get international removals quotes
International moves are priced by the volume, the destination and how it ships.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does an international removal cost?
On our estimates, £550 to £2,000 for a small move in a shared container, £3,000 to £9,000 for a 20ft container and £6,000 to £12,000 for a 40ft.
How much is a 20ft container move?
About £3,000 to £9,000, depending on the destination. Shipit's table puts a 20ft container at about a three-bed house.
Do I pay duty bringing my belongings to the UK?
You may not, if you qualify for transfer of residence relief: lived abroad at least 12 months, owned the goods at least 6 months, and apply on form ToR01 before you move.
Is air freight worth it?
We estimate air freight at £2,700 to £7,900, against £550 to £2,000 for a shared container by sea. I'd keep it for things you need quickly.
How we priced thisView sources (4, 3 official)
Rules come from the legislation and official guidance, read at source. Prices are our estimates: we check them against trade price data, retailer shelf prices and specialists' price lists, then build them up from their parts so the totals add up. Below are the sources behind the page; the trade price guides we only compare against aren’t listed. Where sources disagreed, we've said so. More on our method.
- IndustryInternational removals costs 2026, 1st Move International (Shipit). Checked 16 Oct 2026.
- OfficialMoving personal belongings to the UK, GOV.UK. Checked 16 Oct 2026.
- OfficialTransfer of residence to the UK (updated 12 November 2025), GOV.UK (HMRC). Checked 16 Oct 2026.
- OfficialWhy use a BAR member for your move, British Association of Removers. Checked 16 Oct 2026.
