Moving to the UK from Abroad
A household move to the UK is priced on the volume you ship and the route it travels, and whether you pay import VAT and duty on your belongings depends on one piece of paperwork: HMRC's Transfer of Residence (ToR1) application, which must be approved before your goods arrive. This guide pulls together the cost, customs and arrival admin for anyone moving to the UK, whether you are a returning Briton, an EU citizen or arriving on a visa.
For the full customs process see the ToR1 form guide. For the route you are moving on, see the country guides below.
Who This Is For
- Returning British citizens after a stint abroad. You qualify for ToR relief on the same terms as anyone else: the test is where you have lived, not your passport.
- EU, EEA and Swiss citizens with pre-settled or settled status, or a new visa, moving a home from the Continent.
- Visa holders arriving for work, study or family. Note that students and people moving for a marriage or civil partnership use different reliefs and do not file a ToR1.
- Anyone shipping a container from Australia, the USA, Canada, the Gulf or Asia.
What It Costs by Origin
Removers price the move on cubic metres and the corridor travelled. The bands below are the ranges this site uses for the same corridors in the outbound direction; inbound quotes normally sit in a similar range, with the differences coming from UK-side access, customs clearance fees and whether you share a vehicle or container.
| Moving from | Typical method | 1-bed | 3-bed | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France | Road, shared or dedicated | £1,200 – £3,800 | £3,000 – £7,500 | France to UK |
| Spain | Road through France | £1,400 – £4,200 | £3,500 – £8,500 | Spain to UK |
| Germany, Netherlands, Belgium | Road | £1,000 – £3,600 | £2,600 – £7,000 | European removals |
| Italy, Portugal | Road, longer corridor | £1,600 – £4,500 | £3,800 – £9,000 | European removals |
| Australia | Sea container | £2,500 – £4,500 (shared) | £7,500 – £14,000 (sole use) | Australia to UK |
| USA | Sea container | £2,200 – £4,200 (shared) | £6,500 – £13,500 (sole use) | USA to UK |
Three things decide where you land in the range:
- Volume. A 1-bedroom home is typically 14–24 m³ and a 3-bedroom 35–55 m³. Decluttering before the packers arrive is the biggest saving available.
- Shared or dedicated. A part load on a shared lorry or a shared container is substantially cheaper if your dates are flexible.
- What the quote covers at the UK end. Confirm it includes UK customs clearance, the agent's handling fee, delivery to room rather than kerbside, and transit insurance. A cheap quote that stops at the port is not cheap.
Customs: Transfer of Residence Relief
Goods you bring into the UK are an import and would normally attract import VAT and, for goods from outside the EU, customs duty. HMRC's Transfer of Residence relief removes both on personal belongings, provided:
- you have lived outside the UK for at least 12 consecutive months before moving,
- you have had the goods for at least six months before you move,
- you are transferring your normal home to the UK and will use the goods for the same purpose,
- the goods arrive within 12 months of your move, and
- you do not lend, sell or hire them out for 12 months after moving.
You apply online with the ToR1 form before your goods ship. HMRC issue a unique reference number, which your remover quotes on the import declaration under customs procedure code 40 00 C01. HMRC will consider waiving the 12-month and six-month tests where circumstances beyond your control prevent you meeting them, if you include evidence.
The ToR1 guide covers the documents, the item list and a printable preparation checklist. The short version: start the application as soon as the move is firm, because HMRC do not publish a processing time and the goods cannot clear under the relief without the reference.
Pets, Vehicles and Appliances
Pets. Dogs, cats and ferrets need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and either an animal health certificate or an EU-issued pet passport. Dogs normally also need tapeworm treatment one to five days before arrival. GOV.UK sets out the rules by country; animals brought in for personal use qualify for ToR relief and go on the application.
Vehicles. A car can come in under ToR relief, but you must notify HMRC through the NOVA (Notification of Vehicle Arrival) service within 14 days of it arriving, and it must meet UK approval and be registered with the DVLA before you drive it. Left-hand-drive cars and cars built for other markets can need approval testing and lighting changes. Price that before you ship.
Appliances. UK mains is 230 V / 50 Hz with Type G plugs. Australian and European appliances work with an adapter or plug change. North American 120 V appliances with motors or heating elements do not; sell them before you leave.
Arriving: The UK Admin
- National Insurance number if you will work and do not already have one.
- Register with a GP once you have an address.
- Council tax registration with the local authority, and utilities in your name.
- Bank account — most banks want proof of UK address, which is also what HMRC want for ToR within the last 3 months, so a tenancy agreement does double duty.
- Driving licence. You can usually drive on a foreign licence for 12 months. EU/EEA licences and those from designated countries such as Australia can be exchanged; US licences cannot, and you will need to pass a UK test.
- Tax residence. If you were non-resident, the Statutory Residence Test decides when UK tax residence starts; get advice if you have overseas income.
Country Guides
- Moving to the UK from Spain
- Moving to the UK from France
- Moving to the UK from Australia
- Moving to the UK from the USA
For other European origins, the European removals hub has country-by-country costs; the customs side is identical for every inbound move.
Not tax or immigration advice. Customs relief rules, pet and vehicle requirements and visa conditions change. Check the current GOV.UK guidance for your situation before you ship.