With Britannia Appleyards South Yorkshire, your international move is planned clearly from the start. You’ll get simple advice, professional export packing, and a shipping option that matches your budget and timeframes — so you can move abroad with confidence, not worry.
Shipping Container Sizes and Dimensions
Most international household moves are shipped in containers. Below are the most commonly used sizes for household goods and personal effects.
Important: The cubic capacity shown is the maximum. When loading household goods, it’s sensible to allow around a 10% reduction to account for real-world loading and safe stacking.
|
Container Type |
Length (mm) |
Width (mm) |
Height (mm) |
Capacity (Cubic Feet) |
Capacity (Cubic Metres) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
20' GP |
5893 |
2337 |
2388 |
1164 |
32.9 |
|
40' GP |
12014 |
2337 |
2388 |
2368 |
67.0 |
|
40' High Cube |
12014 |
2337 |
2667 |
2679 |
75.8 |
|
45' High Cube |
13556 |
2352 |
2698 |
3040 |
86.0 |
Transit TimesHow long will it take?
One of the first things you’ll want to know is how long your belongings will take to reach your destination. Below is an outline of typical transit times.
You’ll usually have two options:
Shared Container (often lower cost, but requires more flexibility)
Sole Use Container (more control over timing and space)
Please note: Transit times are typical guides. Shipping lines can change schedules, and timings can be affected by global demand, economic conditions, and adverse weather.
For most ports there are several weekly sailings, which means costs and transit times can vary. The team can help match the right sailing to your budget and your timescales.
|
Destination |
Shared Container |
Sole Use Container |
|---|---|---|
|
Australia |
10–14 weeks |
8–10 weeks |
|
Canada – East Coast |
6–10 weeks |
4–5 weeks |
|
Canada – West Coast |
9–14 weeks |
5–7 weeks |
|
Far East |
8–12 weeks |
5–6 weeks |
|
Mediterranean |
6–10 weeks |
3–5 weeks |
|
New Zealand |
10–12 weeks |
8–10 weeks |
|
South Africa – Cape Town / Durban |
9–13 weeks |
5–7 weeks |
|
South Africa – Johannesburg |
9–13 weeks |
7–9 weeks |
|
Canary Islands |
8–12 weeks |
4–5 weeks |
|
Dubai & UAE |
7–11 weeks |
4–6 weeks |
|
USA – East Coast & Florida |
8–12 weeks |
4–6 weeks |
|
USA – West Coast (SFO / Los Angeles) |
9–13 weeks |
5–7 weeks |
|
Destination |
20ft Container |
40ft Container |
|
Australia (all main ports) |
£3998 |
£5986 |
|
New Zealand |
£3340 |
£4969 |
|
Canada (Toronto) |
£3998 |
£5525 |
|
Canada (Vancouver) |
£4450 |
£6197 |
|
Canada (Calgary & Edmonton) |
£4668 |
£6776 |
|
Dubai |
£3298 |
£4621 |
|
South Africa (Cape Town) |
£2950 |
£5170 |
|
South Africa (Johannesburg) |
£3628 |
£5618 |
|
USA East Coast (New York / New Jersey) |
£4510 |
£5968 |
|
USA West Coast (Los Angeles / SFO) |
£4167 |
£5768 |
Full Container Guide Prices
Every international move is different, but these guide prices help you understand typical costs for 20ft and 40ft containers, including a full door-to-door service.
What Can Affect the Cost of an International Move?
International pricing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Your quote will depend on factors such as:
Packing requirements (and whether export packing is needed)
Specialist crating requirements
Distance from your UK address to the UK port of exit
Distance from the overseas port of entry to your final address
Access issues (stairs, narrow roads, limited parking, etc.)
That’s why a survey is so important. It ensures your quote is based on your real requirements — not guesswork.
What’s Included in a Full Service Door-to-Door Move?
A full service international move typically includes:
Supply of packing materials
Professional export wrapping and packing
Preparation of a packing list / inventory
Labour costs for packing, wrapping, and loading
Ocean freight charges
Documentation (including Bills of Lading)
Export customs entry
UK container transport charges (from port to your home and return to port)
Terminal charges at destination port
Customs clearance and delivery to your new home
Unloading, unpacking, unwrapping, and removal of packing debris
In other words, it’s not just shipping — it’s a complete service designed to take the pressure off you.
Ready to Plan Your International Move?
No two international moves are exactly the same, so your quote should be built around your destination, your timeline, and what you’re taking.
For a fully detailed quote and clear advice, arrange a free, no-obligation survey.