International Moving · Western Europe
Moving to United Kingdom
The United Kingdom remains one of the most requested destinations for international moves, whether relocating for work, study, or family reasons. Since leaving the EU, moves from the EU into the UK are treated as international moves for customs purposes, which is different from how it worked before Brexit.
- Region
- Western Europe, outside the EU
- Typical transport
- Shared load (groupage) or dedicated road transport, plus ferry or Channel Tunnel crossing
- Customs
- Required — Transfer of Residence (ToR1) relief where eligible
International moving to United Kingdom
We coordinate the customs declaration alongside transport and delivery, so the extra documentation does not have to complicate your planning.
Post-Brexit, the practical shape of a move to the UK has changed more than the underlying logistics have — the transport itself (road plus a ferry or Channel Tunnel crossing) works much as it always did, but the customs and documentation side now needs the same level of advance planning as a move to Switzerland, rather than the minimal paperwork of an EU-to-EU relocation.
How the moving process works
Every international move we plan follows the same core stages, adapted to your route and volume. See our full explanation of how it works for detail on each stage — assessment, planning, packing, collection, international transport, and delivery.
Moving options
Groupage into London and other major UK cities is common, particularly from continental Europe via ferry or the Channel Tunnel. Corporate relocations and larger households more often choose dedicated transport. Given the ToR1 process involved, we recommend confirming your transport plan early enough that the customs application and the physical move can proceed on a coordinated timeline rather than one holding up the other.
Read more about the difference between groupage / shared load and dedicated transport.
Packing services
We pack household goods to withstand road and ferry transport, and prepare the itemised inventory that UK customs requires alongside a ToR1 application. As with Switzerland, the inventory here is not just a packing list — it directly supports your customs relief application, so we treat it as documentation from the outset.
See our full packing service for what is included.
Storage
If your UK property is not ready when your goods arrive, we can store them until it is. This is common for corporate relocations with a fixed start date but a housing search still underway, or for ToR1 applications that take longer to process than the physical move itself.
Read more about our storage service.
Transit considerations
Central London's congestion charge zone and residential parking restrictions are the most common access considerations; we confirm these before planning your delivery date and vehicle. Cities like Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol generally have more straightforward access, though local parking permit rules still need confirming ahead of delivery.
Customs & documentation
Moving personal belongings into the UK from abroad generally requires a customs declaration. If you are transferring your normal home to the UK, you may be able to apply for Transfer of Residence (ToR1) relief to import your used household goods without paying duty or import VAT, provided you meet HMRC's eligibility criteria. We help prepare the ToR1 application and supporting inventory, and flag early on if anything about your situation looks like it may not meet the standard criteria, so there is time to address it before your moving date.
Cost factors
For UK-bound moves, customs processing, the Channel crossing method, volume and transport type are the main cost factors — detailed further on our moving costs page. London deliveries specifically may involve congestion charge or permit costs that would not apply to a delivery in most other UK cities, which we confirm once we know your exact address.
See our full guide to international moving costs.
Popular destinations
Where we move people in United Kingdom
London
The most common UK destination for both corporate and household relocations, with congestion charge and parking rules that affect delivery planning.
Manchester
A major northern city with growing demand for international relocations.
Edinburgh
Scotland's capital, popular for both work relocations and lifestyle moves.
Bristol
A common destination for households relocating from continental Europe.
FAQ
Moving to United Kingdom — frequently asked questions
Do I need customs paperwork to move to the UK since Brexit?
Yes. Moves from the EU into the UK are now treated as international moves for customs purposes, which typically means a customs declaration and, for personal effects, an application for Transfer of Residence relief.
What is Transfer of Residence (ToR1) relief?
ToR1 is a UK customs relief that allows people transferring their normal home to the UK to import used personal and household goods without paying import duty or VAT, subject to HMRC eligibility rules. We help prepare the application and inventory.
How long does a ToR1 application take to process?
Processing times vary, which is why we recommend starting well before your intended moving date rather than assuming it can be arranged at short notice.
Ready to move to United Kingdom?
Tell us about your move and we will get back to you with a personalised quote.