How long does an international move take and what does it include?
Sea freight to Australia or New Zealand typically takes eight to twelve weeks door to door, the USA and Canada six to ten, and Europe by road one to two. Daley & Co handle export packing to ISPM-15 standards, customs documentation at both ends, and delivery through a destination agent network. Air freight is available where the timescale matters more than the cost.
Overview
International Moving
International moves are complex. We've been doing them for 40+ years to 150+ countries. We handle customs, shipping (air/sea/overland), and door-to-door delivery. One point of contact. Your move, start to finish.
What's Included
- Door-to-door delivery to any country worldwide
- Air freight, sea freight (FCL & LCL), and overland options
- Full customs clearance and documentation support
- Export-grade timber crating for fragile and high-value items
- Destination agent network in 150+ countries
- Vetted, quality-assured destination agents in 150+ countries
How International Removals Work: From the UK to Anywhere
An international removal with Daley & Co begins with a comprehensive home survey by our international move consultant. During this visit, we assess the volume of your shipment, identify any items requiring specialist packing (antiques, pianos, fragile electronics), and discuss the shipping method best suited to your timeline and budget. We then produce a detailed quotation covering export packing, shipping, customs clearance at both ends, and destination delivery. Once you confirm, our export packing team arrives with all materials — double-walled cartons, timber crates, acid-free tissue, and specialist wrapping. Every item is packed, labelled, and recorded on a detailed inventory that serves as your customs declaration. Your shipment is then collected and transported to the port or airport for loading.
Sea Freight, Air Freight, and Overland Options
We offer three primary shipping methods for international moves. Sea freight is the most common and economical option for full household shipments, available as FCL (Full Container Load) where your belongings fill an entire 20ft or 40ft container, or LCL (Less than Container Load) where your goods are consolidated with other shipments in a shared container. Air freight is available for urgent shipments or smaller consignments where speed is the priority — transit times are typically three to seven days to most destinations. For European moves, overland transport by road is often the fastest and most flexible option, with transit times of one to five days depending on distance. Our team will recommend the best method based on your volume, destination, timeline, and budget.
Customs Clearance and Documentation
International customs regulations vary significantly by country and can be complex to navigate. Daley & Co handles all customs documentation on your behalf, including export declarations, import permits, duty calculations, and restricted items compliance. We prepare your detailed inventory in the format required by the destination country’s customs authority, and our destination agents manage clearance at the receiving end. For most destinations, you will need to provide a copy of your passport, proof of residence at the destination, and a signed customs declaration — we guide you through every document required. Our team stays current with changing regulations, trade agreements, and country-specific requirements to ensure your shipment clears without delays or unexpected charges.
Our Global Destination Agent Network
We work with vetted, quality-assured destination agents in 150+ countries. These are established international moving companies who meet our standards. Your agent handles customs clearance, local delivery, and setup at the other end. You have one contact at Daley & Co throughout — we coordinate everything. No chasing multiple parties. No language barriers. We manage the entire chain from your front door in the UK to your new home.
Moving to Popular Destinations from Manchester
Our most popular international routes from the North West include moves to Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, the UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi), Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa, and across Europe (France, Spain, Germany, Portugal, Italy, and the Netherlands). Each destination has its own specific requirements — Australia requires fumigation certificates and strict biosecurity compliance, the UAE has specific prohibited items lists, and European moves benefit from simplified customs under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. We have dedicated destination guides for each country, and our consultants have first-hand experience of the requirements for every major destination.
What Happens When Your Shipment Arrives
Once your shipment arrives at the destination port or airport, our local agent manages customs clearance (typically two to five working days depending on the country). Your belongings are then transported to your new home, where the destination crew unpacks everything, places furniture as directed, and removes all packing materials. A delivery inventory is checked against the origin inventory to confirm all items have arrived. If anything requires attention, our claims process is managed centrally from the UK. We also offer storage at destination if your new home is not ready when your shipment arrives — this is common for families who arrive before their property purchase completes.
Pricing Guide
How Much Does an International Removal Cost?
International removal costs depend on the volume of your shipment, the destination country, the shipping method chosen, and any specialist packing requirements. We provide fully inclusive quotations covering packing, shipping, customs, and delivery. Below are indicative price ranges for common international moves from the North West.
Europe (Overland, 20–30 cbm)
From approximately £2,500–£5,000. Road freight to France, Spain, Germany, or Portugal typically takes 3–7 days.
USA / Canada (Sea, 20ft Container)
From approximately £4,000–£7,000. Door-to-door including customs clearance. Transit 3–5 weeks.
Australia / New Zealand (Sea, 20ft Container)
From approximately £5,000–£9,000. Includes fumigation, biosecurity compliance, and destination delivery. Transit 6–8 weeks.
UAE / Middle East (Sea, 20ft Container)
From approximately £3,500–£6,500. Includes export packing, customs, and destination delivery. Transit 4–6 weeks.
Air Freight (Small Shipment, 2–5 cbm)
From approximately £2,000–£5,000. Fastest option for urgent or small consignments. Transit 3–7 days.
LCL / Shared Container (5–10 cbm)
From approximately £1,800–£3,500. Economical for smaller shipments sharing container space. Transit times vary.
All prices are indicative, exclude VAT, insurance, and insurance premium tax (IPT), and are subject to a free home survey. Final pricing is confirmed following survey and includes a full breakdown of all applicable charges.
How It Works
Our process, step by step.
International Survey
Our international move consultant assesses your shipment, advises on the best shipping method, and provides a detailed cost breakdown including all customs and destination charges.
Export Packing
We pack your belongings using export-grade materials — double-walled cartons, timber crates, and specialist wrapping for fragile items. Every item is inventoried for customs.
Shipping & Customs
We handle all documentation, customs declarations, and compliance requirements at origin. Our destination agents manage clearance at the receiving country.
Destination Delivery
Our trusted destination agent delivers to your new home, unpacks, and removes all packing materials. We track your shipment at every stage.
Why Choose Us
The Daley & Co difference.
Global Destination Network
We work with vetted, quality-assured destination agents in 150+ countries. Each agent is carefully selected for their professionalism and experience. Your belongings are in safe hands from UK to destination.
Customs Expertise
International customs regulations are complex and vary by country. Our team handles all documentation, duty calculations, and compliance requirements, removing the burden from you entirely.
One Point of Contact
Throughout your move, you have a single contact at Daley & Co. We coordinate with your destination agent on your behalf. No chasing multiple parties. No language barriers. We manage the entire chain from your front door in the UK to your new home.
Verified Customer Reviews
What our customers say.
“Pleasant and hardworking Nothing too much trouble”
“Helpful and friendly guys - Moved everything without complaint or issue.”
“Excellent service!”
Ready to get started?
Get a free, no-obligation quote from our team today.
FAQs
Common questions answered.
Real Results
See this service in action
Read a detailed case study showing exactly how we handled a real international moving project — including the challenges, our approach, and the outcome.
Established 1948
78 years of trusted service. Fully insured, professionally trained, and committed to the highest standards on every move.
Daley & Co
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