Faster Shipping
There's no waiting to fill our containers. We have pre-booked container slots sharing space with commercial exporters, so we can ship weekly with the world's premier shipping lines.
International Removals
Planning a move overseas and looking for a reliable international removal company?
Let 1st Move simplify the process. As one of the UK’s largest independent international moving companies we have been shipping household goods overseas for more than 25 years.
Our expert move managers will handle every aspect of your move abroad. A single point of contact from moving day, packing, shipping, customs through to final delivery at your new home.
Request your free international Removals quote today and start planning your move abroad with confidence!
Unique Benefits of 1st Move International
Further Benefits of Using 1st Move International:
- 25 years’ experience providing international removals services
- Members of the British Association of Removers
- Members of the British International Freight Association
- Modern fleet and fully trained packers and movers
- Fully insured from your home to your destination
- Your own personal, dedicated move manager
- Free UK storage up to the next scheduled sailing date
- Electronic and Fastrack Customs clearance
- Faster weekly sailings with unbeatable transit times
- 24/7 container and vessel tracking systems
Shipping Options For Your Move
International Removals by Shared Container
Our shared container services allow you to share a shipping container with other customers who are moving to the same overseas destination. This is a more affordable option for smaller international shipments, as you only pay for the space your own goods take up inside the container. This is the preferred shipping choice for shipments up to 15 cubic metres or 530 cubic feet.
Palletised shipping makes it easier to load and offload and is a safer way to share a container with other customers. Our shared container services run on set weekly shipping schedules to most of our popular destinations worldwide, including the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai, and more.
International Removals by Full Container
Our full container services provide either a 20ft or 40ft container to be used solely for your own overseas shipment. This is ideal for larger international moves, such as a 3-4 bedroom household, and where you are taking all your personal effects, including white goods and furniture.
Subject to access, we can load the container directly from your home into the container, or we can pack and collect your household goods in smaller vans to be securely loaded a few days later at our own warehouse facilities.
Either process can take up to 3 days to allow for professional packing and loading, and then your container will go directly to the port for the first available sailing to your home country.
Safer Packing for Every Move
Benefit from our safer packing procedures. Every house move is carefully packed and palletised. This unique process is designed to provide the maximum protection for your belongings.
A Global Relocation Service Like No Other
With over 25 years of experience in providing international moving services from the UK, we have the expertise to handle your move with ease. Since establishing our company in 1997, we've managed thousands of overseas relocations for families and corporations around the globe. Let our seasoned team put our 25+ years of industry experience to work for you.
135,000+ Happy Customers
9,240,000+ Cubic Feet Shipped
25+ Years' Experience
Popular Destinations
Removals to the USA
Moving to the USA?
Find out more about how we can help you relocate to America.
Removals to Australia
Moving to Australia?
Find out more about how we can help you relocate to Australia.
Removals to Canada
Moving to Canada?
Find out more about how we can help you relocate to Canada.
Removals to New Zealand
Moving to New Zealand?
Find out more about how we can help you relocate to New Zealand.
Look for the Badge. We are a BAR registered mover.
As a BAR member, our company has been rigorously vetted and subject to regular audits to ensure we meet their strict quality guidelines, including financial stability, full regulatory compliance, and adhering to the BAR's strict code of practice when dealing with our customers and all aspects of shipping their goods worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much does it cost to move overseas?
The cost to move overseas will vary depending on the size of your move and whether you will need a shared or a dedicated container service. A full house move with a dedicated container can cost between £4500.00 and £7500.00 depending on the destination. Shared container costs are between £1250.00 and £4000.00 depending on the final packed volume of your move.
Completing the Quick Quote form on this page will give us your moving requirements. From this, we can provide you with exact costs once we know what you are shipping, where you are moving from, and your destination.
Looking for a budget prices and costs for your overseas move? Visit our international removals cost calculator here.
How do I get a quote for an international move?
The best way to get a quote for overseas removals is to complete the simple quote form on our website. We'll send you your tailored estimate within 24 hours with everything you need to know.
Do I need to pay any duty or taxes on arrival?
Typically, you can import your personal and household items without paying any duties if you've owned and used them for at least one year and they're not intended for resale or for someone else. However, regulations can vary by country, so please contact us to confirm if any taxes or restrictions apply to your move.
Do you handle customs paperwork and forms?
Yes, we handle all customs paperwork and forms for your move. We are a government-registered customs broker and electronically file all UK customs documents on your behalf. We use the UK Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system to ensure a smooth transit through UK customs. Any company involved in moving goods between the UK and other countries must have a registered EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification number) in order to file customs entry declarations. 1st Move’s EORI number is GB720702181000, and you can check our company’s compliance on this page.
Check EORI.
See our customs page here.
You can also search the government register of approved customs agents here.
Can I ship my car when I move overseas?
Yes, you can ship your car when you move overseas. In most cases, you will have to have owned the vehicle for more than 12 months to avoid any duty or taxes. Every country has complex customs regulations and procedures for importing vehicles, so you need to check with us beforehand. Please see our car shipping page for more information.
How do you ship internationally from the UK?
The 3 main methods to ship internationally from the UK are; shared container (for small to medium moves), full container services (for larger household moves), or airfreight (for small, more expensive, and must-have items).
What visas or paperwork do I need for an international move?
- Passport: A copy of your passport is necessary for all international moves.
- Visa or Resident PermitM: Depending on your destination, the specific type of visa or resident permit required will vary.
- Inventory and Valuation: An inventory and valuation of the goods you are shipping is essential.
These documents can be uploaded via our secure document transfer page here.
Visit our customs page for information on specific countries.
Can I track my overseas move after it has been shipped?
Yes, you can track the progress of your shipment during your move by using our container tracking tool and entering the container number that we provide you once everything has been packed and loaded. In arrival, our local agents will keep you updated every step of the way up to delivery to your door.
Can I pack myself when moving overseas?
Yes, you can pack most items yourself, but please note that any items you have packed yourself will not be covered for damages. We recommend using our professional packing services for fragile items and most furniture items. Find further advice on our self-packing options.
Do I need insurance when moving overseas?
We recommend using marine insurance cover when shipping your belongings overseas. We take great care in protecting your goods; however, due to the distance travelled and the need for other parties to handle your goods, we always recommend taking out our marine shipping insurance for peace of mind. You can also find our overseas insurance and valued inventory application here.
What is the cheapest way to move internationally?
The cheapest way to move internationally is via sea freight. More specifically, groupage (or shared container) shipping. This ensures that you only pay for the space that your household goods or personal effects have taken up inside the container. Using a palletised system of shipping means your move can be measured exactly, allows for safer loading and shipping, and is a cheaper way to ship.
This ensures that you only pay for the space that your household goods or personal effects have taken up inside the container. Using a palletised system of shipping means your move can be measured exactly, allows for safer loading and shipping, and is a cheaper way to ship.
#You can get a quote for our international moving services, including shared container services, here.
How do I choose or compare international moving companies?
- Research Multiple Companies: Begin by researching several international moving companies.
- Check Memberships: Ensure the companies are members of the British Association of Removers (BAR) and the British International Freight Association.
- Evaluate Standards and Compliance: Look for companies that adhere to professional standards and compliance inspections, as required by BAR.
- Consider Experience and Expertise: Choose a company with a proven track record in international moves.
We are proud to be members of the British Association of Removers (BAR). The BAR is the UK’s leading trade association for removal companies, upholding professional standards through compliance inspections and requiring all members to adhere to their strict Code of Practice. As BAR members for over 20 years, we have met their stringent criteria in areas like staff training, insurance, safe storage and handling of household goods, trade practices, and compliance with international moving regulations. Our BAR membership demonstrates our commitment to ethical, high-quality service in the removals industry. Feel confident choosing a BAR member like us for your next overseas move.
Check out our article on how to choose the best international moving company for more detailed advice on choosing an international removals company that is right for you.
What items can I not take when moving overseas?
There are some items that are prohibited from overseas shipping, such as perishable goods, plants, tobacco, alcohol, etc. Please check our prohibited goods list for more information and a full list of all prohibited items.
Can I ship furniture overseas?
Yes, you can ship furniture overseas. If you can, you should avoid shipping older, larger furniture items, as these will increase the volume of your move and ultimately the cost. If you ship new furniture still in the original boxes, then customs may charge you import duty and taxes. Check out our International Moving Guide for Furniture here.
Can I airfreight items to arrive in advance?
Our airfreight department can arrange to fly important items to arrive within a few days rather than wait for your shipment to arrive. Here are some items you may want to send by air freight when moving overseas.
- Jewellery, important documents, photos or mementos, and other small irreplaceable items.
- Basic clothes and toiletries, enough to get for a week or two until your main shipment arrives.
- PC or small home office items to get you working and online quickly.
- Children's comfort items, special toys, books, blankets, Xbox, or Playstation.
These items will help ease kids' transitions in to their new country. - Medical records for registering with doctors or hospitals in your new country.
- Specialty items, anything required for pets, infants, medical conditions, or your profession.
What areas of the UK do you serve?
Our overseas removals services cover the whole of the UK. We provide nationwide collections from all major UK towns and cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool, Leicester, Coventry, Southampton, Plymouth, Exeter and many more.
Your life, carefully wrapped, beautifully packed, and protected for the journey ahead.
We are extremely proud of our unique packing process. We are the only international removals company in the UK that uses this tried and tested method to ship your treasured personal possessions overseas.
Visit our Facebook page to find a snapshot of each shipment captured as the final pallet is wrapped.
Testimonials