Moving & removal companies for expats in the UK
Whether you are shipping a container of household goods from overseas, sending boxes ahead of your move, or looking for a removal team to help you settle in once you arrive, this directory covers the services expats actually need — from international freight and parcel delivery to man-and-van and storage across the UK.
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From international container shipping to local man-and-van services and self-storage — providers here cover every stage of moving to or within the UK.
7 providers listed
An international logistics platform for comparing and booking door-to-door shipping of parcels, luggage and freight across Europe and beyond. Useful for sending belongings ahead of a main move, shipping items between countries, or student relocations. Enter your dimensions and weight to compare prices across courier and freight partners.
A parcel delivery comparison platform letting you compare prices from major couriers including DHL, DPD and others for UK domestic and international shipments. Enter your parcel dimensions and destination to see available options and book directly. Useful for sending smaller volumes of belongings ahead of or after a move.
A UK-based parcel and freight comparison platform covering couriers including UPS, TNT, FedEx and DHL for domestic and international shipments. Covers everything from small parcels to larger freight consignments. A solid option for expats shipping personal items, gifts, or business goods to or from the UK.
AnyVan connects people moving home with removal and transport providers across the UK and Europe. Submit your move details and receive quotes from vetted drivers and removal firms on the platform. Covers everything from single-item delivery to full household removals, with customer reviews to help you compare quotes.
One of the UK's largest parcel delivery comparison platforms, Parcel2Go lets you compare prices from couriers including Evri, DPD and Royal Mail for UK domestic and international shipments to over 180 destinations. Established in 2001 and trusted by millions of UK senders for comparing and booking parcel delivery at competitive rates.
One of the UK's largest self-storage operators with locations across England, Scotland and Wales. Useful when there is a gap between leaving your previous home and moving into a UK property, when downsizing, or when belongings arrive before your tenancy begins. Offers flexible short and long-term storage with units accessible during opening hours.
A London-based removal and storage company serving residential and commercial clients across London and the surrounding area. Covers house removals, office moves, professional packing and storage. A good option for people moving within London or relocating to London who want a dedicated removal team rather than a marketplace-matched provider.
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Moving your belongings to the UK: what to plan for
The logistics of moving belongings internationally are often underestimated until you are in the middle of them. Unlike domestic moves, an international relocation involves customs clearance, transit insurance, container booking lead times, and in some cases import duty considerations — all of which need to be planned well in advance. The range of services available is also broader than many people realise: from large-volume sea freight containers for full household goods to parcel comparison platforms for sending individual boxes, the right choice depends almost entirely on how much you are shipping, where from, and how quickly you need it to arrive.
For large household moves from outside Europe — from Australia, the US, Canada, South Africa or the Middle East — sea freight in a shared or full container is almost always the most cost-effective option. Shared containers (groupage) are significantly cheaper than booking a full container and are the standard choice for most individual or family moves. Transit times typically range from four to twelve weeks depending on the origin country, so booking early and being realistic about lead times is essential. If you have high-value items, specialist furniture, or fine art, look for companies with FIDI FAIM certification or BAR Overseas Group membership, both of which require companies to pass independent quality audits.
Parcels, boxes and sending ahead
Not everything needs to go in a container. Many expats find it practical to ship boxes of clothes, books and everyday items ahead of the main move using parcel comparison platforms, keeping the container shipment focused on furniture and larger household goods. Services like Eurosender, Parcel2Go, ParcelABC and Interparcel all let you compare prices from multiple couriers for UK domestic and international shipments — entering your box dimensions and weight is usually enough to get a price. These platforms are particularly useful for student moves, for sending items home when leaving the UK, or for shipping gifts and personal effects without the cost or complexity of a freight shipment.
Removals within the UK and storage
Once your goods arrive in the UK, or if you are moving between properties within the country, a domestic removal company or man-and-van service takes over. Platforms like AnyVan let multiple removal providers bid for your job, which can drive competitive pricing and gives you the benefit of reviews from previous customers. For moves within London specifically, a dedicated company like Movers Not Shakers offers a more personalised service than a marketplace match. Storage is often needed when there is a timing gap between moves — either because goods arrive before a tenancy begins, or because a property purchase is delayed. Safestore has locations across England and Scotland with flexible unit sizes and rental terms, making it a practical short or long-term option during a transition period.
Whichever combination of services your move requires, getting quotes early and understanding exactly what is included — packing, customs paperwork, insurance, door-to-door delivery — will save significant time and potential cost later. The providers listed here cover the main needs of expats moving to or within the UK, from the first parcel shipped ahead to the last box unpacked.
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View all categories →Moving & Removal Companies — FAQs
For international moves, look for companies that are members of the British Association of Removers (BAR) Overseas Group or hold FIDI FAIM certification — the global quality standard for international moving. Both require companies to pass independent audits. Always get at least three quotes, confirm what is included in the price (packing, customs clearance, insurance, delivery to door), and check reviews on independent platforms before booking.
Sea freight is the most cost-effective option for large volumes of household goods, typically used for moves from outside Europe, with transit times of around 4 to 12 weeks depending on origin. Air freight is significantly faster (7 to 14 days) but considerably more expensive, making it practical only for smaller or urgent shipments. Road freight is the standard option for European moves, typically taking 7 to 14 days door-to-door. Most removal companies offer all three and can advise based on your volume, timeline and budget.
A shared container (also called groupage or LCL, less-than-container-load) means your belongings share a container with goods from other customers moving to the same destination. It is typically significantly cheaper than a full container and is the most common option for individual and family moves. The trade-off is that transit times may be slightly longer and delivery dates less predictable, as the container may wait until it has enough goods to fill it.
If you are moving to the UK from outside the UK and bringing your own household goods, you may be eligible for Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief, which allows you to import belongings free of customs duty and VAT. The key conditions are that the goods must have been owned and used by you for at least six months, and you must be establishing your normal residence in the UK. You must apply for ToR relief before your goods arrive. HMRC guidance is the authoritative source for current eligibility rules, and your removal company can usually assist with the application.
AnyVan is a UK-based platform that connects people moving home with removal and transport providers. You submit your move details and receive quotes from vetted drivers and removal firms on the platform. AnyVan handles a range of moves from single-item deliveries to full household removals, and operates across the UK and into Europe. Pricing is competitive because providers bid for jobs, and the platform includes customer reviews to help you choose between quotes.
Eurosender is an international logistics platform for comparing and booking shipping of parcels, luggage and freight across Europe and beyond. It works with a network of courier and freight partners to offer door-to-door shipping. It is particularly useful for smaller shipments, student moves, or sending items ahead of a main removal, rather than for full household container moves. Prices are calculated based on weight and dimensions.
Costs vary significantly depending on volume, origin country, shipping method and whether you use a shared or full container. As a rough guide, a shared sea freight shipment from the US or Australia can cost anywhere from around £1,500 to £4,000 or more depending on volume. European road freight moves are generally less expensive. Getting quotes from multiple providers is the most reliable way to understand costs for your specific move, as prices vary with fuel costs, demand and routing.
Most removal companies offer transit insurance as an add-on or part of their service. Standard liability under a removal company's terms is often limited and may not cover the full replacement value of your goods. Specialist removal insurance covering the full declared value of belongings during packing, transit and delivery is worth considering. Some home contents policies include limited removal cover, but check exclusions carefully. Your removal company should be able to explain the insurance options available for your move.
Safestore is one of the UK's largest self-storage operators, with locations across England, Scotland and Wales. Storage is useful when there is a gap between leaving your previous home and moving into your new UK property, when you are downsizing, or when goods arrive before your tenancy or purchase completes. Safestore offers flexible short and long-term storage with units accessible during opening hours. Prices vary by location, unit size and rental duration.
Report any loss or damage to the removal company in writing as soon as possible, ideally on the day of delivery, and photograph any damage before unpacking further. If the company is a BAR member, you can use the BAR's dispute resolution service if a complaint cannot be resolved directly. If you have removal insurance, contact your insurer to make a claim. Keep all documentation including your inventory, contract and photographic evidence.
Parcel2Go is a parcel delivery comparison platform, not a removal company. It lets you compare prices from couriers including Evri, DPD and Royal Mail for sending individual parcels within the UK or internationally to over 180 destinations. It is best suited to sending boxes of personal items, gifts or smaller shipments rather than moving an entire household. For a full household move, a removal company or freight service is more appropriate.
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