International Removals to the UK (2026)
Moving to the United Kingdom from Europe or overseas? Flyto Relocation runs door-to-door international removals into the UK, delivering to London and nationwide. Whether you are relocating a one-bedroom flat to Hackney or a whole family home to Edinburgh, one English-speaking coordinator manages your move end to end, from the pack-up at your current address to the last box carried into your new UK home. Rated 4.9 from more than 500 reviews, fully insured, and honest about how we work: we are a European mover with our own hubs, not a UK high-street chain, and that is exactly why our moves to the UK run smoothly.
How Flyto works: our hubs, vetted partners, one coordinator
Quick answer: Moving to the UK from abroad requires HMRC Transfer of Residence relief. Apply with the ToR1 form and obtain the Unique Reference Number BEFORE the goods arrive, because processing typically takes 2 to 6 weeks. You must have lived abroad at least 12 consecutive months, owned and used the goods at least 6 months, and the goods must arrive within 12 months of the move and be kept for at least 12 months after import.
Flyto operates its own logistics hubs across Northern, Central and Southern Europe. From those hubs we move your belongings to the UK door-to-door: from continental Europe by road and ferry across the Channel and short-sea routes into ports such as Dover, Folkestone and the Humber, and from further overseas by sea freight or air freight into the major UK gateways. On the UK side, and for the parts of the journey where a local specialist adds value, we use a network of vetted delivery and clearance partners we have worked with for years.
We are open about this model because it is the reason the move works. You do not chase a call centre, a separate customs broker and an unknown local firm. You get one Flyto coordinator who owns the whole chain, briefs every partner, tracks the shipment and keeps you updated in plain English. Hubs plus trusted partners, coordinated by one person who is accountable to you, is the honest advantage.
Our services to the UK
We handle the full range of moves into the UK:
- Door-to-door removals from your current European or overseas address to your UK address, nothing left for you to organise between the two.
- Full loads, part loads and groupage, so you only pay for the space you need. Groupage shares a vehicle or container with other UK-bound shipments and is ideal for smaller moves.
- Professional packing and unpacking, with materials, fragile-item protection and furniture dismantling and reassembly.
- Secure storage at origin or in the UK, useful when your move-out and move-in dates do not line up.
- Customs clearance and ToR paperwork, prepared and submitted for you (see below).
We deliver across the whole country, including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Bristol, as well as smaller towns and rural addresses in between.
What a move to the UK costs
Every move is priced individually, so we never quote a headline figure that turns out to be wrong for you. The cost of your removal to the UK is driven by a handful of factors:
- Volume of your belongings (cubic metres), which is the single biggest driver.
- Origin and distance, and whether the route is road-and-ferry from Europe or sea/air from overseas.
- Service level: dedicated full load versus shared groupage, and how much packing you want us to do.
- Access at both ends, such as narrow streets, upper floors without a lift, parking restrictions and long carry distances.
- Extras like storage, insurance cover level and any specialist items.
Tell us what you are moving and where, and we will build a clear, itemised quote with no hidden surcharges.
Customs and paperwork: Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief
Customs requirements for household goods entering the United Kingdom
| Requirement | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| ToR1 approval | HMRC approval letter with the Unique Reference Number, obtained before the goods arrive and quoted on the import declaration with CPC 40 00 C01 |
| Processing time | Typically 2 to 6 weeks, so apply as early as possible |
| Residence abroad | At least 12 consecutive months living outside the UK |
| Ownership | Goods owned and used for at least 6 months before the move |
| Deadlines | Goods arrive within 12 months of the move and are kept at least 12 months after import |
| Vehicles | The registration plate is needed for the ToR1 declaration, then NOVA notification and DVLA registration in the UK |
| Without ToR | 20 % import VAT applies, plus duty |
Get your fixed price (2 min) →
Official source: GOV.UK — Application for transfer of residence relief (ToR1). Flyto files the declaration through its customs partner in the United Kingdom; the paperwork above is what we need from you.
This is the part most people getting quotes underestimate, so read it carefully. Since Brexit, the UK is a third country to the EU for customs purposes. That means goods moving into the UK, even from within Europe, must be customs-cleared, and without the right relief in place HMRC can charge import duty and 20% import VAT on the value of your household goods.
The relief that lets you avoid those charges is Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief. You apply to HMRC using the online ToR1 application, and if approved HMRC issues a Unique Reference Number (URN). Your shipping agent quotes that URN on the import declaration so your belongings clear duty-free. The critical point: you should have your URN before your goods arrive at the UK border. If the shipment reaches port without an approved URN, customs release typically requires a security deposit equal to the potential duty and VAT, which you then have to reclaim.
To qualify, in broad terms you must be moving your normal home to the UK, have lived outside the UK for at least 12 consecutive months, be importing goods you have owned and used for at least 6 months, and bring them in within 12 months of taking up UK residence. HMRC approval commonly takes around two to six weeks, and a URN is valid for six months, so apply early. Flyto prepares and submits your ToR1 and coordinates clearance with our partners so the paperwork is done before your goods travel.
One important distinction: ToR relief covers your belongings, not your right to live in the UK. Your own immigration status is separate and handled through the UK’s points-based system, for example a Skilled Worker visa, a family visa or another appropriate route. Sort your visa or settled status with UK Visas and Immigration; we will handle the goods.
Why choose Flyto
- 4.9 from 500+ reviews from real relocating customers.
- Fully insured transport, with cover options explained up front.
- English-speaking service throughout, so nothing gets lost in translation.
- One coordinator owning your whole move rather than a chain of disconnected companies.
- Own European hubs plus vetted UK partners, an honest model built for reliable door-to-door delivery.
How long it takes
Transit time depends on where you are moving from. Road-and-ferry moves from nearby European countries typically arrive within a few days to around two weeks of collection, depending on route and whether you use a dedicated load or groupage. Sea freight from overseas usually takes several weeks door-to-door, while air freight is faster but suited to smaller, urgent shipments. Because ToR approval can take weeks, the paperwork, not the driving, is often the longest lead time, which is why we start it early. Your coordinator gives you a realistic schedule when you book and keeps you posted at each stage.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay customs duty and VAT when moving to the UK?
Not if you qualify for Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief and have an approved URN in place before your goods arrive. Without it, HMRC can charge import duty and 20% import VAT on your household goods.
What is a ToR1 and a URN?
ToR1 is the online application you make to HMRC for Transfer of Residence relief. If approved, HMRC issues a Unique Reference Number (URN) that your agent quotes on the import declaration so your belongings clear duty-free. Flyto prepares and submits the ToR1 for you.
When should I apply for ToR relief?
As early as possible. Approval commonly takes around two to six weeks and the URN is valid for six months, so you can apply well ahead of your move. Aim to have your URN before your shipment reaches the UK.
Do you deliver outside London?
Yes. We deliver nationwide, including Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Bristol, plus smaller towns and rural addresses across the UK.
Can I move just a few items instead of a whole house?
Yes. Our groupage and part-load options let smaller shipments share space, so you only pay for the volume you use rather than a full vehicle or container.
Does Flyto have UK branches?
No, and we are upfront about it. We are a European mover with our own hubs and a network of vetted UK partners, all coordinated by one Flyto contact who manages your move end to end.
Get your quote
Tell us where you are moving from, what you are bringing and your target dates, and we will build a clear door-to-door quote and start your ToR paperwork early. Start your international removal to the UK.