Moving from New York to London: Customs, Timelines, and Costs
Dreaming of London’s historic streets and putting the Big Apple in your rearview mirror? Making the leap from New York to London is as thrilling as it is challenging. While you’re planning for rainier days, new accents, and that first stroll along the Thames, there’s also a mountain of logistics to navigate before you can settle in and call London home. The process of packing up your life and sending it across the Atlantic can seem daunting, but with some insider advice and a little forward planning, your move can be as smooth as your first cup of British tea.
Let’s break it down together: we’ll walk through what you need to know, from those first packing lists to getting your favourite things through UK customs friction-free, all the way to arrival on your new doorstep.
The International Move Timeline: From NYC Apartment to London Townhouse
No matter how organised you are, moving overseas takes time and patience. But think of it like a great adventure, with a firm plan and a quality international removals company, you’re halfway to success. Most households moving by sea should allow about 6 to 10 weeks door-to-door from New York to London. Here’s how a typical move unfolds and what you can expect each step of the way:
Phase 1: Planning & Booking (at least 90 Days Out)
This is when you lay the foundations. Give yourself time, rushing at this stage just means headaches later.
Declutter First: Remember, every box costs to ship. London living often means cosier spaces, do you really need that giant corner sofa? Be ruthless: keep, donate, or sell. And don’t forget, most US appliances won’t work in the UK’s 230V sockets, so plan to let big white goods go.
Get Compare Quotes: Reach out to at least three reputable international movers. Only trust quotes from companies who do video or in-home surveys. That’s how you get a truly accurate price, no nasty surprises.
Book Your Mover: Summer is moving season on both sides of the Atlantic, so dates fill up early. Decide on your mover and lock in your dates as soon as possible.
Phase 2: Packing & Collection (2-4 Weeks Before Moving Day)
Now it starts to feel real.
Export Packing: Leave this to the experts! Movers use special materials and clever packing techniques to protect your belongings from bumps, salt spray, and swings in temperature during their ocean adventure.
Inventory List: Your movers will create a detailed list of every box and piece of furniture, this is your move “bible” and essential for customs.
Collection Day: Movers load your goods (either into your own shipping container or for a shared load, called groupage).
Phase 3: Transit (Allow 4-8 Weeks)
Your things are en route, almost there!
US Export Paperwork: Good news, your mover handles all the official forms to get your container out of the USA, so there’s nothing to stress about here.
Ocean Crossing: The ship usually sails from the Port of New York/New Jersey. The ocean journey to one of the UK’s busy ports, like Felixstowe or Southampton, takes around 2–3 weeks.
UK Customs Clearance: Here’s where patience pays off. When your shipment lands, it must be cleared by UK customs (HMRC). This takes 1–2 weeks, as long as your documents are in order.
Phase 4: Delivery in London (1-3 Days After Customs)
The home stretch, almost time to unpack!
Schedule Your Delivery: As soon as your shipment is cleared, the UK removals team will be in touch to arrange a delivery window that suits your new London schedule.
London Know-How: London’s narrow roads and parking rules are no joke. Your mover should handle the complications, like arranging for parking suspensions or navigating ULEZ (emissions) zones, so you don’t have to.
Unpack and Settle In: Crew put boxes in the correct rooms, unwrap fragile items, and clear up all the packing materials. All you need to do is start making your new place feel like home.
UK Customs, Explained the Simple Way
Customs sounds intimidating but it’s just a bit of paperwork and planning. Most personal belongings and household goods can enter the UK tax-free if you apply for what’s called Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief.
What’s Transfer of Residence (ToR) Relief And How Do You Get It?
ToR allows people moving their main home to the UK to bring their stuff in without paying UK sales tax (VAT) or customs duty. In simple terms: if you’ve owned and used your things for half a year or more and are making your primary home in the UK, you’re probably eligible.
What you’ll need:
Proof you’ve lived outside the UK for at least a year.
You’ve owned/used the items you’re bringing for at least 6 months.
You won’t sell, lend, or give away your shipped stuff for a year after it arrives.
How the ToR Application Works
Complete the ToR1 Form Online: Set up a Government Gateway account and fill in the form with your details and a list of what’s coming with you.
Scan and Upload Documents: This usually includes:
Your passport picture page.
A UK visa or proof of British residence or citizenship.
An old New York address (something official, like a bank statement).
Confirmation of your new London address (tenancy contract, mortgage, or a letter from your new employer).
The inventory list from your movers.
Submit at Least 6 Weeks Pre-Arrival: Give HMRC plenty of time to approve. When they do, you’ll receive a Unique Reference Number (URN), that golden ticket for tax-free entry.
Give the URN to Your Mover: They need it for clearing your shipment through customs.
Top Tip: Don’t let your shipment sail until your URN is in hand. Otherwise, your things could be stuck at the port, and storage fees add up fast.
What Does It Cost to Move from NYC to London?
Prices for international removals can look eye-watering, but knowing what drives the bill means you can make smart choices.
Volume Is Everything: The more you ship, the more you pay. If you’re debating between shipping a handful of boxes or the whole flat, tally up cubic feet/metres, the difference can be thousands.
Level of Service:
Door-to-Door is easiest, your movers handle everything, from packing in NYC to unpacking in your new London home.
Door-to-Port saves money upfront but leaves you tackling customs and delivery in the UK on your own, not for the faint of heart.
Shipping Method: Full container (20ft or 40ft) means your things travel together, quickly and securely. Shared container (groupage) is cost-effective for smaller moves but can take a bit longer.
Time of Year: Summer costs more and fills up fast. If you have flexibility, moving in autumn or early spring often saves money.
Tricky Access: Walk-ups, narrow streets, no lifts, extra challenges raise the price in both cities.
Marine Insurance: Always take it. Standard movers’ insurance is minimal, a dedicated marine insurance policy means real peace of mind.
Example Price Ranges
Groupage (1–2 bedroom apartment): $4,000–$7,000
20ft Container (2–3 bed home): $8,000–$12,000
40ft Container (4+ beds): $13,000–$18,000+
Air Freight: Only for a suitcase or two of urgent essentials, at $15–$25 per kilo.
Marine Insurance in Plain English
Think of this as extra protection for life’s curveballs. “All-risk” insurance is the best bet, covering damage, theft, even total loss. Read the fine print and value your items fairly for London replacement costs.
A Friendly Countdown: 90 Days to Moving Day
Here’s a checklist to keep you on track and your stress levels low:
90 Days Before Moving
Sort, declutter, and decide what to ship.
Start getting international moving quotes.
Check that your passport and visa are valid.
60 Days Before
Choose and book your mover.
Start your ToR1 application for UK customs.
Tell banks, schools, doctors you’re moving.
Arrange vaccinations and paperwork for pets.
30 Days Before
Finalise ToR1, get your URN, and send it to your mover.
Take out marine insurance.
Set aside valuables and essentials for your flight.
Make arrangements if you’ll need temporary housing on arrival.
The Week of Your Move
Confirm dates with your packing crew.
Pack your suitcases (keep passports and paperwork separate).
Drain garden tools/lawnmowers of fuel.
Walk through your home with the crew chief before they leave.
Making the Journey Yours
Moving from New York to London really is a big adventure. Each step may have paperwork and practicalities, but at the end of this road is a new home, new friends and maybe even a newfound love for Sunday roasts and pub quizzes. With a trusted mover by your side and a checklist in hand, you can face the move with confidence, excitement, and the promise of a fresh start.