Britannia Removals
Britannia Removals

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Moving to the United Kingdom

Moving to the UK (Immigration or Coming Home)

If you are moving to the United Kingdom, whether to England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland, Britannia Movers International has the local knowledge and experience to tailor the move to your individual needs.

Restrictions

Importing Personal Effects to the UK

Shipments of household goods and personal effects are allowed duty free entry into the UK, provided that they have been owned and used for at least six months prior to importation. It is possible to have your goods cleared by customs before you arrive in the UK, providing they do not arrive more than six months before your own arrival and that all necessary documents are completed correctly and received by Britannia in advance of the shipment. Assistance can be given to help you with the customs formalities. We shall provide you with the correct customs form to complete and return before the arrival of the shipment in the UK.

You can find further information on moving your personal and household effects using the following link: HMRC TOR01 Info

 

Restrictions

Prohibitions and Restrictions

In general it is in your interest not to import the following items:

  • Firearms & ammunition
  • Inflammable goods & substances
  • Plants & plant material
  • Foodstuffs, perishables or otherwise
  • Narcotics and dangerous goods
  • Offensive materials
  • Alcohol & Tobacco
Transit

Transit Times

Sole use containers are usually the fastest way of sending your shipment by sea. Groupage or shared load containers have a longer overall transit time than a sole use container. There is a regular service to all major UK ports and as soon as we know your removal date and method of shipment, we can provide you with advice on when the shipment should arrive at the port and be available for delivery in the UK.

Bar Coding

Bar Coding

All shared load consignments will be bar coded before they are loaded into the vehicle. This will ensure that no items are left at origin.

Pets

Domestic Pets

Britannia can recommend a specialised shipper of animals to assist you in sending your family pet(s) from home to home. They will coordinate all documentation and necessary veterinary procedures.

Find out more about pet transport.

Vehicles

Moving Motor Vehicles To the UK

You can bring your vehicle with you without payment of customs duty and tax in the UK, providing you have paid all local taxes and owned and used the vehicle for more than six months overseas, and equally important you must be able to prove you have lived outside the UK for more than twelve months. The vehicle must arrive no more than six months after your own arrival. Should you be unable to meet all of the requirements, you can still bring your vehicle, however, it will subject to payment of customs duty and tax on its arrival. You can find further information on shipping vehicles on the following links: HMRC TOR01 Info, DVLA and VOSA.

International currency exchange

International FX

When you are making international payments for individuals you can benefit from IFX expertise in seeking the best possible rate, whether you are sending or receiving foreign currency.

IFX can help to protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments.

IFX offers :

  • International payments
  • Regular Overseas Transfers
  • Prepaid Currency Card
  • Forward Contracts

More info on the IFX website.

Moving to the UK with Britannia

Your Move to the UK With Britannia – Britannia has established and developed a long standing successful relationship with a global network of dedicated international movers who can assist you with your move to the UK. All of the Britannia members (there are forty five offices across the UK) are part of the extended Britannia family and meetings are held regularly to ensure standards of service are maintained.

Destination Services – If you have paid for a door to door service, following customs clearance, your shipment will be delivered to your home on a mutually convenient and agreed date. Goods will be delivered into your new home and placed in the relevant rooms as directed by you. Professionally wrapped and packed goods will be unwrapped and cartons unpacked onto a flat surface.

Customs Clearance – It normally takes on average 5 to 7 working days for customs clearance and delivery for a sole use container within the mainland on the UK, and generally 7 to 14 working days after arrival at the Britannia customs approved warehouse for a groupage consignment. Charges raised by Customs and port authorities will be paid for by Britannia and collected from you prior to arranging the delivery.

Additional Removal Services – Britannia can provide a variety of additional removal services when moving to the UK. We are authorised to provide comprehensive insurance, can arrange storage prior to delivery, and can also take care of your pet transport.

If you are interested in moving to the UK, find out your removal costs, and read more about our international removals and UK removals.

Living in the UK

Whether you are moving back to the UK after a long-term stay abroad, or emigrating to the country for the first time, you’ll find a rich culture, a multicultural society and a variety of professional opportunities. The UK’s strong economy, varied culture and liberal immigration policies make the UK a very popular expat destination around the world.

Located off the north-western coast of mainland Europe, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, North Sea and Irish Sea, the UK is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system, and consists of four separate countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The UK is a developed country, one of the world’s largest economies, and is leading political and military power. It is also a member of many international organisations, including the G8, the G20, the OECD and the WTO.

Although the UK has been hit rather hard by the recent economic crisis, and it is also introducing policies to limit immigration from outside the EU, it can be an ideal expat destination. Whether you are planning to move to one of the world’s most exciting cities, and financial centres, London, or explore a unique culture in Scotland, the UK will offer a variety of opportunities. It can also boast good economic and professional opportunities, a developed infrastructure, and a good healthcare and public transport system.

Interesting Facts About the UK

  • The London Eye is the tallest observation wheel in the world and each rotation takes around 30 minutes.
  • The UK was the world’s first industrialised country.
  • English people consume more tea per capita than anybody else in the world.
  • French used to be the official language for about 300 years, between 1066 until 1362.
  • London Heathrow Airport is the world’s busiest international airport.

Tips About Moving to and Living in the UK

  • You’ll need to apply for a work permit if you are planning to work in the UK. A points-based immigration system was introduced in 2008, which was further modified and capped in 2011. Expats will need to have an employer sponsor to receive a UK work permit, which means that expats need to have a job prior to moving to the UK.
  • Public health care is provided by the NHS. Expats are entitled to free emergency treatment, but are liable to pay for in-patient and dental treatment. Reciprocal healthcare agreements are in place with many countries.
  • The education systems in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland show some slight differences, so find out as much about the local system as you can before moving there. State-provided education is available free of charge.
  • The cost of living in the UK is relatively high, though the exact amount will depend on your location and lifestyle. London is regarded as one of the most expensive cities in the world, while northern England and Scotland will be cheaper.
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Key Information

uk flag union jack Moving to the United Kingdom
Time Zone:

GMT (UTC+0) - Summer (DST) BST (UTC+1)

Currency: Pound sterling (GBP)
Calling Code: 44
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