Get a cost for shipping containers overseas from the UK – best rates for 20ft & 40ft containers

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Moving abroad and need to ship your belongings? Our international container shipping service combines the best prices with the best customer service for both expats going home and new migrants.

For 40 years our shipping services have helped families with all of their removal needs from cars, small shipments of furniture, tea cartons and personal effects to complete home removals including the kitchen sink!

Shipping your container overseas is easy with PSS


STEP 1
Home Survey or Quote

Get an online quote in 60 seconds or book a FREE home survey.

STEP 2
Help and Advice

Your dedicated Account Manager can help answer your questions and tailor your shipping requirements.

STEP 3
Quick and easy collection and shipping


Whether you are shipping your house contents boxes or furniture you will have our professional packing service.


STEP 4
Customs clearance & delivery to your new home


On arrival our agents will take care of customs clearance and deliver to your door.

Helping people ship their belongings across the world including to:

International

Europe

How can we help? Call 0800 988 3711

Our friendly team are on hand to answer any questions.

Door to Door Container Shipping

We offer a door to door full container shipping service from UK, as well as a part load container (LCL – Less Than Container Load) shipping service to all major countries on a regular basis. PSS International Removals offer a variety of containers available for shipping goods.

Container shipping overseasDepending on your individual needs our expert shipping consultants will advise you on the best container size which would be suitable for you, usually, 40ft containers but 20ft containers are also available.

Your car and household effects in one container

When shipping a container overseas, we can combine your household items along with your car inside your own container. We would position a container at your residence on your removal day and carefully load, secure and over crate or wall off your vehicle.

The remaining space inside the shipping container would be utilised by loading and stowing your professionally packed household effects. Your container will then be sealed at your door with a customs seal, your sole use container would then be returned to a UK port ready for loading on to a vessel for shipment.

"Why choose PSS International in March 2024?"

  • Free home survey
  • Family run business for over 40 years!
  • We only handle Overseas Removals
  • Members of BAR Overseas Group
  • BAR Advance Payment Guarantee Scheme
  • FIDI Global Alliance (Worldwide Moving Association)
  • FAIM Accredited (Removal Quality Assurance Standard)

International Moving and Container Shipping Reviews

Container Shipping Cost Calculator

Want to know how it will cost to send your belongings overseas? Our free online Cost Calculator will help you estimate the cost.

Container Shipping Options:

Shared Use / Part Load:

Sole Use / Full Load:


Size in Cubic Feet

Moving type (TMP): | sc

International Container Shipping FAQ Guide

Below are answers to the most Frequently Asked Questions about overseas container shipping. There is a lot to consider with international moving which is why we allocate you a Move Manager to guide you through the whole shipping process.

How much does international container shipping cost?

International container shipping costs vary considerably according to a number of factors such as exactly when and where you are shipping from and too. Also the amount of packing required for your shipment.

To get a quick estimate you can use the container shipping cost calculator on this page.

Our shipping quotes are for a full international removal shipping service including packing, door to door delivery and customs clearance. Beware of cheap shipping rates that are only a basic port to port service which will mean additional packing costs and other fees.

Cheap international container shipping rates from UK

We are also members of MTC (the Movers Traders Club) which provides us with economies of scale and allows us to negotiate the best sea freight rates with leading international shipping companies.

We are confident that we can offer you the cheapest rates to ship your container overseas from the UK.

To get an accurate container shipping rate we suggest you book a free home or video survey.

Container shipping '

How much is marine insurance or shipment protection?

We highly recommend you take out shipment protection cover or a marine insurance policy for your container.

We provide a very flexible shipment protection cover through Basil Fry & Company – the UK’s leading insurance broker for international removals and shipping:

  • Our policy is quick and easy to set up, simply complete our Shipment Protection valuation form with the items you would like to cover and their values.
  • Removal (we pack) consignments cover costs around 3% of the total insurable value you declare.
  • Vehicle shipments cover costs 2% of the vehicles declared value.
  • Self-Pack (you pack) consignments cover costs 5% of the total insurable value you declare.
  • Baggage/Airfreight consignments, which are owner packed, will cost 5% of the total insurable value you declare.

What size or volume shipping containers do you provide?

Shipping containers come in two standard sizes – 20ft and 40ft.

Our consultants will be able to advise you on what size meets your requirements.

We also have various shipping options to meet your needs including part load or shared containers.

Size 20ft Container 40ft Container
Cubic Capacity (Volume) 1050 cu ft (29.73 CBM) 2100 cu ft (59.47 CBM)
Internal Length 19’ 3” (5.87m) 39’5” (12m)
Internal Dimensions Width 7’8” (2.33m) Height 7’9” (2.35m)
Door Dimensions Width 7’8” (2.28m) Height 7’5” (2.26m)
Weight 2225kg 3950 kg
Cargo Weight 21700 kg 26500 kg

*Exact container dimensions and available volume may vary

Shared or part load (LCL) shipping containers

For smaller shipments we provide a shared or part load shipping container service. Your goods will be grouped together with those of other customers shipping to the same country so the costs can be shared based on how much you send.

This is sometimes referred to as groupage or LCL (Less than Container Load)

Sole use or full container load (FCL)

For shipping larger amounts such as a full household international removal, we can provide a container for your sole use.

We will arrange for the container to be delivered to your home where we will pack it and it will be customs sealed before heading to the port to embark for your destination country.

Which container shipping company do you use for sea freight?

PSS International Removals are accredited by BAR and FIDI. We therefore only use accredited container shipping companies such as Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd and One to transport your belongings. This ensures the highest level of service.

By using the best international shipping companies for your move overseas, you can be assured that your possessions will be taken care of.

Customs clearance when importing your container

As part of our international container shipping service we will take care of everything for you from door to door. This includes exporting your container from the United Kingdom and importing into your destination country.

Our shipping quote includes basic customs clearance but not taxes, import duties and other customs charges such as any quarantine fees.

If we pack your container for you then we will compile a customs inventory on your behalf and we will also advise you of what other shipping documents are required.

Shipping container services for transporting goods or personal effects

Our international container shipping service is designed for household goods, furniture and other personal effects for people moving abroad.

If you need to ship commercial goods overseas from UK we recommend you contact a commercial freight forwarder.

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