Shipping to USA

The time it takes when shipping goods to USA depends on a few factors. This can include factors such as the size of your load and the type of delivery service you choose. We offer two different speeds of service with different price points, speedier options are a higher price point compared to economy delivery options. We’ve detailed the average UK to USA delivery times below as a guide. Contact our team for more information on times and prices for shipping parcels to the USA.

Express Shipping to the USA:

Fast delivery to USA by air.

7-14 days

Economy Delivery to USA:

Cost-effective delivery to the United States by sea.

2-10 weeks

NB: These are approximate sea freight shipping times to ports in America only. You will need to allow additional time for customs clearance and final delivery to your destination.

PSS always aims to get your parcel delivered on time, every time no matter what size your load is. However, it pays to be aware of American federal holidays when planning your move, some of which we’ve listed below. You can view a full list of the upcoming public holidays on the USA government website. You should also be aware of any localised disruptions or conditions that might affect the timing of your parcel delivery.

Addressing a package to the USA from the UK is similar to UK formatting but has a few key differences. You’ll need to include:

• Recipient’s full name
• Street address (including apartment or suite number, if applicable)
• City
• State abbreviation
• ZIP code (typically 5 digits, sometimes followed by an additional 4 digits)

Make sure to clearly write ‘USA’ as the country on the final line.

However, PSS’s parcel shipping service will ensure your items are correctly addressed and will go through any specific requirements with you beforehand.

Take a look at this international posting guide for USA for full details on how to label your belongings or talk to one of our team for full advice.

The rules regarding importing goods into the United States of America are strict and uncompromising. You must carefully inspect what you can and cannot import into the country and ensure your shipment fully complies with these regulations, or risk being denied entry.

What items are restricted when shipping to America?

Restricted Exports to the USA where approval may be required.

• Medicines & therapeutic drugs (must have a prescription and no more than 3-6 months supply)
• Alcohol & wine will require a permit (importation is only allowed to certain states, please check)
• Bamboo, wicker or cane items
• Fishing knives and martial art weapons

What items are prohibited from shipping to America?

Prohibited Exports to the USA:

• Seeds, plants and dried floral arrangements
• Raw untreated wood or bark
• Food and meats
• Endangered animal fur, skins, tusks or ivory
• Firearms (purchased and manufactured outside of the USA will require a firearms permit and CANNOT be shipped with household effects, they must be shipped separately through a firearms dealer)
• Hoverboards

Shipping Antiques to America

Antiques can be shipped from the UK to the USA and items over 100 years old can generally be imported free of duty however you may need to provide evidence of the item’s age with a detailed description and valuation for customs and insurance purposes. Your customs manager will be able to give you more information on what you can and cannot ship to the USA.

Shipping Tools to America

You can ship most of your tools to the USA including building, gardening, carpentry and plumbing tools but they need to be thoroughly cleaned and free from soil, plant material, organic matter etc. to avoid delays. 

You can ship a box of tools cheaply by sea freight with your other personal items or if you need them urgently for work, we offer a cost-effective air freight service. The cost of shipping tools to the US is calculated based on volume and for air freight weight.

Before shipping electrical tools make sure they’re compatible with the US electrical supply (the USA generally uses 120V electricity compared to 230V in the UK).

For more information visit the USA Government website.

Shipping your vehicle to the USA can be worthwhile for luxury, classic or particularly valuable cars however US import rules are strict which is why you should check your vehicle is eligible beforehand. PSS can help you with this process and we can arrange transport for your vehicle using one of the following methods:

Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo): Generally the most affordable option, available through selected ports. Your vehicle is driven onto a specialist carrier and secured for transport.

Container Shipping: Gives you greater security and protection as your vehicle can travel in its dedicated container or alongside your household belongings where space allows for this. 

Vehicles must comply with US Department of Transportation (DOT) safety standards and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions requirements. Most UK-market vehicles under 25 years old were not originally manufactured to US specifications and may need to be imported through an approved specialist / modified before they can be registered. Vehicles at least 25 years old are generally exempt from federal DOT safety standards however separate EPA rules and state registration requirements will still need to be checked.

To understand the full costs of shipping your vehicle, have a look at our car shipping service or use our international removals cost calculator for an estimate based on your move.

No matter whether you are taking one, a few or even multiple boxes to America then our box shipping service is the best way for you to ship your boxes.

We provide high quality boxes and packaging materials and deliver them to your address in the UK after which you can pack all your personal possessions or household items and call us when you are ready for our team to collect those.

There are three shipping options for your boxes. The method you choose depends on shipping costs to the USA and urgency.

1. Sea Freight: your boxes are sent in a shared shipping container with other people’s boxes and belongings moving to America. This is the cheapest, but the slowest method.
2. Air Freight: If you need your belongings to arrive sooner, air freight is a good option

Your dedicated Move Manager will help you with all the required paperwork and answer any questions you have.

You can then take time to enjoy a stopover on your journey home to America, whilst we take care of transporting your boxes.

Our partner company in the USA will notify you when your ship arrives, take care of customs clearance and deliver your boxes at a time that works for you. They can also arrange storage for you if you are not yet ready to take delivery.

You may qualify to import your household goods into the USA duty-free if they’ve been owned and used abroad for at least 12 months and are intended for personal use rather than sale, and you’ll normally need to complete CBP Form 3299. 

As customs rules and import duties can change, it’s important to check the most current guidelines. You can refer to the FIDI Guide for US Customs for the latest details or speak to your move manager before shipping.

All goods that arrive in the USA are subject to customs clearance. We will submit all the relevant paperwork required to obtain the release of your goods; this can sometimes take up to 7 days. This may take longer in busier months, but you don’t need to be present or in the country for clearance.

We’ve included guidance on some common US customs hold ups below:

• CBP Form 3299 and your inventory must be completed accurately. The inventory should be written in English and accurately describe the context of every box.
• Used household effects can generally enter duty-free when they have been owned and used abroad for at least 12 months. Newly purchased ones need to be declared separately with their value and country of manufacture.
• Sea-freight shipments require an Importer Security Filing (ISF 10+2). This must normally be submitted at least 24 hours before the goods are loaded onto the vessel however your Move Manager will help you manage all the documentation required.
• Wooden packing materials must comply with ISPM 15 requirements. This means any timber crates, pallets, etc. need to be appropriately tracked and marked.

As part of our door-to-door service PSS will help you manage all relevant documentation. To help you prepare we recommend you download and read our FIDI Customs Guide.

Once your goods have been released by US customs we will contact you to arrange a suitable delivery day.

Once we’ve received clearance of your goods we will either deliver your sea freight container directly to your new home or it will be delivered in a separate vehicle. This all depends on the type of shipment you are sending. Our unloading crew will place your items in the rooms of your choice and unwrap and remove the packing material from any furniture.

The main ports for household goods shipping are:

• New York 
• Orlando
• Chicago
• Los Angeles

Selecting the correct arrival port at the quotation stage will help reduce onward transport costs as well as unnecessary container movement within the USA.

When you book with PSS, your shipment is covered under the BAR Advanced Payment Guarantee Scheme.

However, it is highly advisable to take out shipment protection cover before sending items to the USA. Although problems are unlikely, it is still wise to have cover when sending goods overseas, especially for items of significant financial value.

PSS International offers very flexible Shipment Protection Plans. You can cover your whole shipment or choose the individual items you wish to cover. Your PSS Move Manager can explain the different options available and guide you through completing the Shipment Protection Valuation form.

How Do I Arrange Insured Shipping to America for Fragile Household Items?

International shipping insurance operates differently to standard home contents cover, and misunderstanding this is one of the most common causes of disappointment when damage occurs.

Standard marine insurance typically costs 1–1.5% of the declared shipment value. In most cases, this type of policy covers total loss only, meaning compensation is paid if the entire shipment is lost in transit, which rarely happens. This level of protection does not usually cover damage to individual items.

Comprehensive cover generally costs 2–3% of the declared value and protects against damage to individual items. Insurers typically require professional export packing and clear evidence of condition before shipment, such as dated photographs. Without these, a claim may be declined.

Insurers may decline claims for self-packed items which is why comprehensive insurance cover usually requires professional export packing. Custom crating, typically £100–£400 per item is typically used as it gives you additional protection for items like antiques, mirrors, artwork, etc. Make sure to photograph valuable items before packing, retain receipts for pieces valued over £500, and describe items individually on your inventory to support accurate valuation in the event of a claim.

Full insurance options are available as part of our international shipping service, and these are reviewed in detail during the quotation process.

The best way to keep shipping costs from the UK to the United States down is to choose our cost-effective economy delivery, usually this involves delivery by land or sea and may take more time than express parcel delivery.