The United States is a major destination for British professionals, families and company transferees drawn by career opportunities, higher salaries and a vast, varied country. Moving to the USA from the UK hinges on securing the right visa — work routes such as the L-1, H-1B or E-2, or a family green card — and then shipping household goods by sea from Southampton or Felixstowe into New York/New Jersey, Savannah, Houston or Los Angeles/Long Beach. Relocating to the USA from Britain also means building US credit from scratch, and this guide covers the full picture for UK movers.
Moving to the USA from the UK: overview
Britons move to the US for high earning potential, big-name employers and the lifestyle of cities and states as different as New York, California, Texas and Florida. The two big challenges are the visa — US immigration is employer- or family-driven and competitive — and starting financial life over, since UK credit history does not transfer and US healthcare is privately insured.
Plan the move around the visa first: your category, validity and start date drive everything else, including when you ship, where you can work and whether your spouse can be employed.
Visa & residency basics
There is no general work visa — you need a category that fits your situation, almost always with an employer or family sponsor. Timelines vary widely, so start early and take qualified immigration advice.
- L-1 — intra-company transfer for employees moving within the same company to a US office.
- H-1B — specialty-occupation work visa, subject to an annual cap and lottery.
- E-2 — treaty investor visa for Britons investing in and running a US business (the UK has a treaty).
- O-1 — for individuals with extraordinary ability in their field.
- Family-based or employment-based Green Card — permanent residency through a qualifying relative or employer.
Shipping household goods to the USA from the UK
UK-to-USA moves travel by ocean container from Southampton, Felixstowe or London Gateway into major US ports — New York/New Jersey and Savannah for the East Coast, Houston for the Gulf, and Los Angeles/Long Beach for the West Coast. Sea freight typically runs 4–7 weeks port-to-door depending on coast. FCL suits a full home; LCL groupage handles smaller loads, with air freight for urgent items.
Choose the entry port nearest your destination city to cut inland trucking time and cost. Used personal effects are generally duty-free for those relocating, but US Customs and Border Protection requires proper declaration.
Customs clearance for personal effects
US Customs and Border Protection generally allows duty-free import of used household and personal effects you have owned and used, declared on CBP Form 3299 with a detailed inventory. New items, alcohol over the allowance, certain foods and plant or wood products (regulated by USDA/APHIS) can attract duty or be restricted.
Have your visa, passport, Form 3299 and supplemental declaration and inventory ready. A mover experienced on the UK–US lane will prepare the CBP paperwork so the container clears your chosen port without delay.
Banking & credit in the USA for newcomers
Open a US checking account (Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citi) once you have a US address and, ideally, a Social Security Number, which you apply for on arrival if your visa permits work. The bigger task is building a US credit score from zero — start with a secured credit card or a newcomer program, as no UK credit history carries over, and credit affects renting, phone contracts and car finance.
Use a currency specialist for the GBP-to-USD transfer of your moving funds. As a US tax resident you are taxed on worldwide income by the IRS, and the UK–US double tax treaty plus foreign tax credits prevent double taxation — take cross-border advice, especially on UK pensions and ISAs, which the US does not treat as tax-free.
Schools in the USA for expats
The US has free public schools funded locally, so the catchment of the home you rent or buy directly determines school quality — research districts before choosing where to live. Private and international schools are widely available in major metros for families wanting British, IB or specific curricula. Confirm enrolment rules, required vaccinations and any documentation for your visa status with the local school district before you arrive.
Housing & where expats live
- New York & New Jersey — finance, media and tech; high rents, apartment living, no car needed in the city.
- California (LA, San Francisco, San Diego) — tech and entertainment, high costs, car-dependent and sunny.
- Texas (Austin, Houston, Dallas) — no state income tax, lower housing costs and a fast-growing economy.
- Florida (Miami, Orlando, Tampa) — no state income tax, warm climate, popular with British families.
- Rent first; US leases, credit checks and security deposits work differently from the UK, so allow time.
Bringing your pet from the UK
Dogs and cats from the UK generally enter the US with a microchip and up-to-date vaccinations, but rules tightened for dogs — the CDC requires specific import forms and conditions depending on where the dog has been. Some states and airlines add their own requirements. Arrange an APHA-endorsed health certificate through your UK vet, check the latest CDC dog-import rules, and consider a pet-relocation specialist for the flight.
Destination charges explained
Your UK quote covers origin packing and ocean freight, while US destination costs — terminal handling, customs clearance, port fees, inland trucking to your city and final delivery — are billed at the US end. Inland distances can be large, so the destination leg matters more than on a short European move.
Request an itemised written quote separating UK collection, freight and estimated US destination and delivery charges so you can compare movers fairly. Our destination charges guide explains each line item.
Plan your move to the USA from the UK
Tell us your destination city in the USA and what you're shipping from Britain. A coordinator will reply with a verified written quote and a clear breakdown of destination and delivery charges within one business day.
Request relocation guidanceFrequently asked questions
What visa do I need to move to the USA from the UK?
There is no general work visa. Britons typically use an employer-sponsored route such as the L-1 (intra-company transfer), H-1B (specialty occupation, lottery-based), E-2 (treaty investor) or O-1, or a family- or employment-based Green Card for permanent residency. Start early and take qualified US immigration advice.
How long does shipping from the UK to the USA take?
Sea freight typically runs 4–7 weeks port-to-door from UK ports, depending on whether you ship to the East Coast (New York/NJ, Savannah), the Gulf (Houston) or the West Coast (LA/Long Beach), plus inland trucking. Air freight is faster for urgent boxes but much costlier.
Does my UK credit history transfer to the USA?
No. UK credit history does not carry over, so you start building a US credit score from zero. Begin with a secured credit card or a newcomer banking program on arrival, as US credit affects renting, phone contracts, utilities and car finance.
Will I be taxed in both the UK and the USA?
As a US tax resident you report worldwide income to the IRS, while becoming UK non-resident under the Statutory Residence Test limits your UK tax to UK-source income. The UK–US double tax treaty and foreign tax credits prevent double taxation, but US treatment of UK pensions and ISAs is complex — take cross-border advice.
Can I bring my used furniture to the USA duty-free?
Generally yes. US Customs and Border Protection allows duty-free import of used household and personal effects you have owned and used, declared on CBP Form 3299 with a detailed inventory. New items, excess alcohol and USDA/APHIS-regulated food, plant or wood products may attract duty or be restricted.
Can I bring my dog to the USA from the UK?
Usually yes, with a microchip and current vaccinations, but the CDC has tightened dog-import rules and requires specific forms and conditions, and some states and airlines add requirements. Arrange an APHA-endorsed health certificate, check the latest CDC rules and use a specialist for the flight.