Shipping Personal Effects and Household Goods

The cost of shipping personal effects and household goods will vary significantly based on the amount and destination of your belongings as well as if you are shipping by air or sea freight. It can range from £100-£200 for a small shipment to £6,000-£8,000 for a large shipping container.

Shipping your belongings with our international personal shipping services is quite affordable, especially to popular destinations from the UK, due to the cost advantages of high demand.

At PSS, we handle thousands of international relocations annually, perfecting our method and securing competitive shipping rates. This efficiency allows us to help you save money.

To obtain an estimate for your move, we recommend using our international shipping cost calculator. For a more precise quote and to address your specific requirements, we’re ready to conduct either an in-home or video survey whenever you’re prepared.

The timeline for international shipping can range from 1 to 12 weeks, influenced by various factors such as your final destination and the method of shipping chosen.

Obviously, air freight is much quicker than sea freight but is not a practical option for large shipments.

For large shipments, opting for a full shipping container or a dedicated road transport load can expedite your move.

Conversely, a groupage service for smaller overseas moves that involve shared containers or part loads will require additional time for consolidation of the goods.

Additionally, for an international move, it’s important to factor in the time needed for customs clearance at your destination, which can differ based on the specific country and region.

Personal effects and household belongings in the context of shipping goods internationally are usually used belongings owned by a person as opposed to commercial goods or brand new items being ordered for delivery. They can usually be shipped and imported duty free if you are a migrant or returning resident.

The meaning of personal effects typically refers to personal items that are personally used by an individual and are closely associated with them. These can include clothing, personal electronics (like laptops, smartphones, and cameras), personal documents, jewelry, and other items that are typically carried or worn on a daily basis.

Household belongings is broader and encompasses all items that are part of a household. This includes not only personal effects but also furniture, kitchen appliances, decorative items, linens, tools, and other items that are used in the functioning and maintenance of a home.

For more than four decades, PSS has specialised in international personal shipping services, offering expert guidance throughout the entire process. We offer a comprehensive door-to-door service, ensuring your personal effects and household belongings are safely delivered to your new overseas residence.

Sea freight is the usually cheapest way to ship personal belongings overseas, but it is also the slowest service, ranging from 2 to 12 weeks, depending on the destination.

Air freight is quicker, although you may pay more, depending on the quantity of cartons/suitcases you are sending and the destination. The transit time can range from 3 to 14 days.

However, depending on the size of your shipment, air freight can be cheaper in some circumstances – especially to inland destinations in the U.S. or Canada.

To find out whether air freight or sea freight would be best for your move, contact our customer service team for expert advice.

For shipping boxes, customers often handle the packing themselves, a practice referred to as owner packing, and are advised to prepare a packing list detailing the shipped items.

We also provide a professional packing service, ideal for extensive shipments, delicate goods, or international relocations involving the entire household’s contents. We do recommend you start planning as soon as possible to avoid any stress closer to move date.

The best way to ship to ship household goods including furniture is via a container shipping service if you’re moving overseas or road freight if you’re moving to Europe.

Professional export packers can ensure your belongings are safely wrapped and packed before being loaded onto a container or lorry. International removal or shippings companies will also take care of customs clearance for you and deliver to your door in your destination country.

Our export packers, who are both specially trained and seasoned, will swiftly yet meticulously pack all your possessions prior to loading them into your shipping container. Given the extensive distance spanning thousands of miles via sea and road, the journey necessitates superior standards and distinct packing techniques compared to those employed by typical domestic removal services.

For fragile pieces and antiques, we utilise even more superior materials and offer bespoke wooden crates when necessary. Understanding the sentimental value your personal items hold for you, we take great care to ensure they arrive in perfect condition.

Most countries have a list of restricted or prohibited items that you cannot take with you when entering or relocating. It is important therefore you make you check the listings for prohibited or restricted items and take action accordingly. Many are items you might expect but some countries have more unusual restriction. If you are at all unsure please check with your Move Manager.

Please see our FIDI Customs Information Guides for more details.

If you moving to a country as a migrant or permanent resident or a national returning home after living abroad for 12 months, you do not usually have to pay customs duty on used personal effects and household goods.

Whilst most countries allow you to import personal effects and household goods duty free, the exact requirements and conditions vary so we suggest you check the appropriate customs guide.