Moving to USA

Moving to the USA

If you are planning on moving to the USA, whether to the East or West Coast, Britannia Movers International has the expertise and the local knowledge to tailor the move to your specific needs.

	Importing Personal Effects to the USA Household goods and personal effects can be imported duty free, provided they have been owned for at least a year before arriving in the USA. Most containers arriving in the USA will be subject to examination by US customs. You must ensure you have the appropriate visa for entry into the USA. To import your household goods, we will provide you with the correct customs form, that must be completed prior to the goods leaving the UK.
	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 Times Transit of groupage or shared load consignments usually takes 8 to 11 weeks via the East Coast and 11 to 14 weeks if going via the West Coast. Sole use containers will normally take 2 weeks to the East Coast and 4 weeks to the West Coast. However, transit times will also vary depending on the size of your consignment, customs or immigration delays and weather conditions.
	Bar Coding All Groupage consignments will be bar coded before they are loaded into the shipping container. This will ensure that no items are left at origin.
	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.
	Moving Motor Vehicles to the USA Due to strict emission standards, only vehicles that have been manufactured in the USA can be shipped with your household goods. Once you've contacted your local Britannia member, we will be able to further advise you on this.
	Purchase your vehicle before departing Migrants can take advantage of Auto Source, a service where you can purchase your vehicle before departing for the US. Auto Source is designed for candidates who are overseas and moving to the US on assignment for 2 years or longer. Auto Source is the only authorised company in the world offering transferees moving to the US access to special factory programs for the purchase, Lease or finance of a new vehicle. Find out more about Auto Source.
	Currencies Direct When you are making international payments for individuals you can benefit from Currencies Direct expertise in seeking the best possible rate, whether you are sending or receiving foreign currency. Currencies Direct can help to protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments. Currencies Direct offers : International payments Regular Overseas Transfers Prepaid Currency Card Forward Contracts More info on Currencies Direct website.

Moving to the USA With Britannia

• Packing & Delivery – Our trained packers can pack and wrap all your items to ensure that they are transported safely. If you choose a full door to door shipping service to the USA, Britannia will deliver the goods to your new home. We can then unwrap your furniture and unpack your moving boxes onto a flat surface, and all used packing materials will be removed from the site.
   
• Additional removal services – Britannia can provide a variety of additional services when moving to the USA. We are authorised to provide a comprehensive insurance, can arrange international storage prior to delivery, and can also take care of your pet transport.

If you are interested in moving to the USA, get a free removal quote, and read more about our international removals, and our additional moving services, like pet transport or money transfer.

Living in the USA

The melting pot of different cultures, and nations since Christopher Columbus crossed the Atlantic Ocean at the end of the 15th century, the USA has always been a popular destination with  immigrants, and those looking for adventure, a new life and new opportunities. The USA is not only one of the strongest economic powers in the world, but offers an unparalleled mix of cultures, and lifestyles, varied terrains, and diverse employment opportunities.

The USA was founded by thirteen British colonies located along the East Coast. After acquiring further land from other European countries, waves of immigration, and the two world wars, the USA has emerged as a major economic and military power. The country nowadays accounts for almost 50% of global military spending, and is a leading political, ideological, and cultural force in the world.

The USA can offer unparalleled opportunities, high wages, and a sense of individual freedom. On the flip side, employment opportunities are limited by restrictive labour laws for expats, and the country has been hit recently by the financial crisis, which also affects employment levels. Living standards among the population vary greatly, partly due to the thin safety net, the fact that public health care coverage is not universal, and high further education fees. For those who manage to move permanently to the USA, there is great potential in a multi-cultural country that welcomes and values expats and encourages an entrepreneurial spirit.

Interesting Facts About the USA

• European activity in the Americas began in 1492, with Christopher Columbus crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
• Main industries include petroleum, motor vehicles, aerospace and steel.
• The Grand Canyon is one of the USA's World Heritage sites.
• One in every 4 Americans has appeared on TV.
• The American civil rights movement, symbolised and led by Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. used non-violence to confront segregation and discrimination.

Advice About Moving to and Living in the USA

• To work in the USA, you will require a visa. You will have to apply for your visa at the American embassy in the UK. If you are living and working in the USA without a visa, you are considered an “illegal alien”.
   
• Living costs will greatly depend on the area you are moving to. If you are moving to Los Angeles, Chicago or New York, prepare for high costs. Moving into smaller towns can be much cheaper.
   
• While the USA health care system outspends most of the nations in the world, it falls behind in overall performance. The country's life expectancy has dropped in the last decades and there is no universal public health care coverage. However, if you can afford to pay for private health insurance, or your employer pays for you, you will get a high-quality service.
   
• Before moving to the USA with your children, you will also have to consider education options. In most states, there are both public and private schools, and a good university degree may require substantial financial investment.
   
• The limited availability of visas and green cards restricts employment opportunities for expats moving to the USA. Explore your options, and the situation in your profession before seriously thinking about moving to the USA.
   

Moving to the USA brochure