Published 15.09.2025
For expats relocating to the UK from outside Europe, sea freight is the most common way to transport belongings. A shipping container crossing the Atlantic or Indian Ocean may not sound glamorous, but it is the backbone of international relocation.
The reason is simple: cost and scale. While air freight is quick, it is prohibitively expensive for an entire household. Road transport works for moves from continental Europe, but beyond that, it’s not an option. Sea freight, by contrast, offers the ability to move everything — furniture, appliances, personal effects, even vehicles — at a price that, while not small, is manageable compared to alternatives.
For many families, the sight of a container leaving their old home is the moment the move becomes real. It carries not just possessions but memories and daily comforts across oceans. By the time it arrives at a UK port, it brings with it the foundation of a new life.
Table of Contents
When Sea Freight Makes Sense for Relocation
Sea freight relocation is not the fastest option, but it is the most practical in several scenarios:
Relocations from far away — If you are moving from the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, or Africa, sea freight is the default.
Large households — Families moving an entire home cannot fit into air freight solutions.
Vehicle shipping — Cars, motorbikes, or even small boats are often loaded alongside belongings in a container.
Budget-conscious moves — Sea freight costs thousands, but still far less than equivalent air cargo.
For most global relocations, it is not a question of whether to use sea freight, but how to use it effectively. The decision often comes down to what you value most: speed, cost, or completeness. If you can live with the essentials while the rest of your belongings travel by ship, sea freight offers a balanced solution that lets you settle in at your own pace.
Understanding Containers: FCL vs LCL
Sea freight revolves around containers, and the choice of container type has a big impact on cost, timing, and convenience.
FCL (Full Container Load): You rent an entire 20ft or 40ft container. Ideal for full households or when you want control and faster transit. The container is sealed at origin and unsealed at destination.
LCL (Less than Container Load): Your belongings share space with others in a container. You pay only for the volume you use. This lowers cost but often extends timelines, as customs clearance takes longer and containers cannot be released until all loads are processed.
A 20ft container typically holds the contents of a small 2–3 bedroom home. A 40ft container accommodates a larger family home, including furniture and a vehicle. While these figures are practical benchmarks, it often helps to think in terms of lifestyle. If you can’t bear to leave behind your dining table, sofa, or a child’s bed, a 40ft container quickly becomes the sensible choice. On the other hand, if you’re comfortable starting fresh with some items and travelling light, a 20ft or even a shared load might be all you need. The size you choose doesn’t just affect price — it shapes how quickly your new house will feel like home.
How Long Does Sea Freight Take?
Timelines for sea freight vary depending on origin:
East Coast USA to UK: 10–14 days sailing time, plus 1–2 weeks for customs clearance and delivery.
West Coast USA/Canada: 25–30 days sailing time, plus clearance.
Australia/New Zealand: 40–50 days on the water, with customs adding a further week or two.
Asia (China, India, Singapore): 25–35 days.
Africa (South Africa, Nigeria): 20–30 days.
In practice, most relocations take 4–8 weeks door to door. The ship itself may move faster, but customs clearance, loading, and delivery extend the timeline. This is why many expats carry essentials with them by air — clothing, work equipment, or children’s must-have items — while allowing the container to follow at its slower but more economical pace.
The Role of ToR1 in Sea Freight Relocation
The Transfer of Residence (ToR1) relief is critical in sea freight relocations. Without it, HMRC will treat your belongings as a taxable import. That means customs duty and 20% VAT on the declared value of your shipment.
To qualify, you must have lived outside the UK for at least 12 months and be moving your normal home to the UK. Belongings must be owned and used for at least six months prior to shipping. ToR1 approval exempts your personal goods from duty and VAT, provided they meet these conditions.
Think of ToR1 as your golden ticket. Without it, even second-hand furniture or well-worn clothes are taxed as though they were brand new. With it, HMRC recognises that you are simply relocating your life. For sea freight in particular, ToR1 is non-negotiable — the sums involved make approval the single most important step in your planning.
Import VAT and Duty: Why Planning Matters
Import VAT is the single biggest financial risk in sea freight relocation. At 20%, it applies to the entire shipment value — furniture, appliances, and even used clothing.
Duty may also apply to certain items, such as alcohol, tobacco, or new goods. But for most expats, VAT is the cost to watch.
Planning is everything here. A container valued at £50,000 could incur a £10,000 VAT bill without ToR1 approval. No one wants that kind of surprise. Apply early, keep your reference number safe, and give it to your shipping company. By treating VAT as the risk and ToR1 as the solution, you avoid the costliest mistake an expat can make.
UK Ports: Where Your Belongings Arrive
Most sea freight relocations to the UK arrive at one of four major ports:
Felixstowe — the UK’s busiest container port, handling much of the traffic from Asia.
Southampton — popular for shipments from the Americas.
London Gateway (Tilbury) — increasingly used for global relocations.
Liverpool — serving shipments from North America and Ireland.
Each port has modern customs facilities, but they also have busy schedules. Containers may be held for inspection, particularly if documentation is incomplete. This is why working with a relocation company that knows these ports can save days, if not weeks. Your container is not just arriving anywhere in the UK — it is arriving at a specific port with its own rules and rhythm, and local knowledge makes all the difference.
Costs of Sea Freight Relocation
Costs vary widely by origin, volume, and service type, but as a guide:
20ft container (FCL): £3,000–£6,000 door to door.
40ft container (FCL): £5,000–£9,000.
LCL (shared load): From £1,500, depending on volume.
Additional costs include:
Port fees and customs clearance (often £500–£1,000).
Insurance, typically 2–3% of declared shipment value.
Delivery from port to home, unless included in a door-to-door package.
When budgeting, remember that the quote is rarely the final number. Unexpected costs can creep in: storage fees if customs holds your container, extra charges for delivery in hard-to-reach areas, or demurrage if the container isn’t collected promptly. A good relocation company will warn you of these in advance. For expats, the key is to view sea freight as an investment in starting life fully equipped, rather than a mere cost.
Preparing Your Belongings for Sea Freight
Packing is one of the most important stages of sea freight relocation. Containers spend weeks at sea, where humidity, temperature swings, and handling can take a toll.
Use professional packing services if possible, as movers know how to prepare goods for long voyages.
Create a detailed inventory, matching your ToR1 application. Each box should be labelled and listed.
Avoid restricted items such as alcohol, perishable foods, plants, or new goods.
Protect valuables with extra care, or consider carrying them with you by air.
Think of the container as a tiny ecosystem for your belongings. Once it’s sealed, it will not be touched again until it reaches the UK. A few extra hours spent packing properly can mean the difference between unpacking a home ready to be lived in and dealing with damaged goods.
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