Moving to United Kingdom
The perfect moving system for shipping what is essential. If you are only moving a small amount of your valued goods or if you have a larger move via ocean, our micro move solution is a perfect add on to get what's needed there fast.
Curious about how much it costs to move to the United Kingdom? Find out just how much it will cost to move your essential personal effects to the United Kingdom.
Due to the current corona virus / COVID-19 situation and restrictions in various countries, the below information may not be accurate. This pandemic is a fluid situation. Check with authorities for local laws and restrictions concerning movements.
USED HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS FOR United Kingdom
Documents Required
- Copy of passport
- Copy of visa
- Bill of lading (BL) / air waybill (AWB)
- Packing list in English
- Transfer or Residency (ToR Apply here)
- Diplomatic entry form C426 (diplomats)
Specific Information
- As of 1/1/17, owners of the goods must go online to apply for a Transfer of Residence (ToR).
- An approval will allow the owner of the goods to import their personal & household effects goods into the UK with relief from import duties and charges.
- Application must be made before packing shipment.
- Once approval is obtained, the owner of the goods will be given a Unique Reference Number (URN) which will need to be passed onto UK Customs in place of the previous customs form C3.
- The C3 form will become obsolete on 3/31/2017 and will not be acceptable for Customs clearance after this date.
- The link to the ToR application can be found at the end of this document in ‘Consignment Instructions.’
- Contact destination agent for further questions.
- Documents must be received by agent prior to arrival of the shipment.
- The agent may charge fees for incomplete or delayed receipt of documentation.
- Inherited goods require C1421 form, copy of death certificate, and copy of the living will
- You must submit the ToR application within 12 months of the date of entry into the UK.
- You can bring personal belongings or private vehicles free of duty and tax as long as you:
- are moving your normal place of residence to the UK only
- have had your normal place of residence outside the EU for a continuous period of at least 12 months
- have possessed and used the belongings for at least 6 months outside the EU before they're imported
Restricted/Dutiable Items
- Firearms, explosives, and ammunition
- Fruit, vegetable, and plant products
- Cigarettes (200), cigarillos (100), cigars (50), tobacco (250g)
- Spirits / liqueurs (more than 22% - 1 liter)
- Fortified wine or alcohol less than 22% (2 liters), still wine (4 liters), beer (16 L)
- Imitation firearms
- Offensive weapons
- Live animals
- Endangered animals or plants and products thereof (required a valid CITES permit)
- Fur skins and articles made from fur skin
- Radio transmitters
- Rough diamonds
- Animal food products
Prohibited Items
- Illicit drugs
- Knives
- Self-defense sprays
- Stun guns
- Indecent and obscene material
- Counterfeit, pirated and patent-infringing goods
- Milk products from outside the European Union (England, Scotland)
Cultural and Other Information
CIA World Factbook Entry for United Kingdom Wikipedia Entry for United KingdomWhy Use TrunkMoves for Small Move Shipping
TrunkMoves helps customers compare options for small move shipping, estimate costs quickly, and move from research to booking using live online rates.
Popular Questions About Small Move Shipping
- What is the cheapest way to handle small move shipping?
- How much does small move shipping typically cost?
- Can I use trunk shipping instead of a moving company or airline baggage?
- What is the best option for a small shipment of personal belongings?
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Ship Personal Effects Safely with TrunkMoves
TrunkMoves is built for moves that are too large for airline baggage but too small for container freight. The goal is not only convenience. The goal is to keep the shipment in a more controlled environment from pack-out through delivery.
Parcel networks expose shipments to repeated vibration, drop events, orientation changes, and stacking pressure. That is why professional packaging teams rely on distribution-test logic such as ISTA sequences to judge whether packaging still protects the contents after the first hazard has already occurred. In practice, ISTA-style methods are employed by packing a representative shipment, then subjecting it to vibration, compression, and drops on faces, edges, and corners to confirm that the container, closures, and internal protection retain performance throughout transit.
Loose paper filler or crumpled paper is not recommended here for heavier or longer-lane shipments. Under sustained load and vibration, paper compresses, settles, and does not meaningfully rebound. That means the protective gap around the contents can disappear during transit. Better results come from resilient cushioning, structural fitments, and container systems that maintain geometry under load.
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