Moving from London to New York (2026): Costs, Visas & Complete Guide

Moving from London to New York (2026): Costs, Visas & Complete Guide

Relocating from London to New York is one of the most well-trodden transatlantic moves in the world, and yet it remains one of the most demanding. The shipping side is comparatively straightforward, but the immigration side is where most people underestimate the difficulty. This guide walks through the whole journey: how your belongings cross the Atlantic, what US customs expects, how much a move like this really costs, what living in New York involves, and the immigration reality you must resolve before you go.

Key takeaways

• Get your immigration status sorted first. The United States has no general work or residence route for Europeans. You need a specific visa or green card in hand before you relocate — this is the single hardest part of a London–New York move.
• Sea freight is the norm for household goods. Containers cross the Atlantic to the Port of New York and New Jersey in roughly two to four weeks of ocean transit — noticeably shorter than moves from Australia or Asia.
• Used household goods are generally duty-free. US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) waives duty on personal effects you have owned and used, declared on CBP Form 3299 with a detailed packing list.
• New York is expensive and broker-driven. Very high rents, broker’s fees of up to 15% of annual rent, and large upfront deposits are normal.
• Pets: new CDC dog rules apply. Since 1 August 2024 every dog needs an ISO microchip, a CDC Dog Import Form and must be at least six months old. Cats have no CDC requirement.

1. The route: London to New York

Your household goods will travel by one of two methods. Sea freight is the default for a full home. Containers are loaded near London and railed or trucked to a UK deep-sea port such as Southampton or Felixstowe, then shipped across the Atlantic to the Port of New York and New Jersey, the main gateway on the US East Coast. Ocean transit is typically two to four weeks; the transatlantic crossing is shorter than the multi-week hauls from Sydney or Singapore, which is one of the few logistical advantages of this route.

You can ship a full container load (FCL) — usually a 20ft or 40ft box for a whole household — or less-than-container load (LCL), where your goods share a container with other shipments. LCL is cheaper for a one-bed flat’s worth of belongings but adds handling time at both ends. Once landed, the container clears CBP and is drayed to a local warehouse for customs release and final delivery.

Air freight is the alternative when you need essentials quickly. Flights from Heathrow or Gatwick reach the New York area in hours, and door-to-door air moves typically complete within one to two weeks including clearance. Air is far more expensive per kilo, so most people air-freight a small consignment of clothes, work equipment and immediate necessities while the bulk travels by sea.

2. Costs: the general drivers

An international move is priced on a handful of variables rather than a single sticker price. The main drivers for a London–New York relocation are:

• Volume and weight. The single biggest factor. A studio or one-bed flat shipped LCL costs a fraction of a family home in a 40ft container.
• Sea versus air. Air freight can be several times the cost of sea for the same volume, so it is best reserved for a small urgent shipment.
• Access at both ends. Narrow London streets, upper-floor flats without lifts, parking restrictions, and long carries in Manhattan or a Brooklyn walk-up all add labour and time.
• Packing and insurance. Full professional packing protects fragile items and speeds customs but adds cost; marine transit insurance is strongly advised and priced on declared value.
• Destination charges. US port handling, customs processing, drayage and final delivery are billed separately from the ocean freight.
• Storage. If your US housing is not ready, storage in the UK or New York adds monthly cost.

Because these variables swing widely, a proper survey of your home — ideally a video survey — is the only way to get an accurate figure. Beware quotes given without one.

3. US customs: CBP Form 3299

The good news for anyone relocating with a home’s worth of belongings is that used personal and household effects are generally admitted duty-free when you are moving to the United States. To claim this, you complete CBP Form 3299, the Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles, supported by a detailed, itemised packing list (a supplemental inventory) valuing the contents.

Key points to get right:

• Goods should be owned and used by you — CBP expects personal effects, not new items bought for resale. Items you have owned and used for at least a year are the clearest case for duty-free entry.
• The form and packing list must be in English and submitted before clearance.
• Alcohol, firearms, certain foods, plants and other restricted or prohibited goods are treated separately and should generally be left out of a household shipment; they can trigger duties, permits or seizure.
• Your shipment enters as unaccompanied baggage, arriving separately from you, which is exactly what Form 3299 is designed for.

A professional mover prepares Form 3299 and the inventory with you, which is the surest way to avoid a customs hold. Always check the current requirements on cbp.gov, as CBP updates its guidance periodically.

4. Living in New York

New York is a city of distinct neighbourhoods across five boroughs, and where you land shapes your daily life and budget enormously.

Manhattan is the most expensive and the most iconic. The Upper East Side (UES) and Upper West Side (UWS) are calmer, family-friendly and close to Central Park; Chelsea is central, walkable and lively; the Lower East Side (LES) is younger and busier. Brooklyn has become the default for many Europeans wanting more space and character: Williamsburg for nightlife and design, Park Slope for families and leafy streets, DUMBO for converted warehouses and river views. Queens offers better value with fast Manhattan access — Astoria is diverse and food-focused, Long Island City (LIC) is a modern high-rise district one subway stop from Midtown. Across the Hudson, Jersey City and Hoboken in New Jersey give you commuter access via the PATH train, often with more space for the money.

Expect the rental process to feel unfamiliar. Rents are among the highest in the world, and most flats are found through brokers who charge a fee — commonly up to 15% of the annual rent, paid by the tenant. Landlords typically want the first month, a security deposit and proof of income of around 40 times the monthly rent, or a guarantor. Overall cost of living — groceries, transport, dining, healthcare — is high, so budget generously for the first few months.

5. Visa, immigration status and the essentials

This is the part to resolve before anything else. The US immigration system is restrictive and offers no general route for Europeans to simply move and look for work. You must hold a valid status before you relocate. The common routes include:

• H-1B — employer-sponsored specialty-occupation visa, subject to an annual cap and a lottery.
• L-1 — intracompany transfer for managers, executives or specialised staff moving within the same employer.
• O-1 — for individuals with extraordinary ability; no cap or lottery, but a high evidentiary bar.
• E-2 — treaty investor visa. The United Kingdom is an E-2 treaty country (for British nationals), so a substantial investment in a US business can be a route for some.
• J-1 — exchange-visitor programmes (research, training, au pair and similar).
• Green card / family — permanent residence through employment or a qualifying family relationship.

Speak to a US immigration attorney early; the visa timeline usually dictates your whole move.

Social Security Number (SSN): most work visa holders apply for an SSN after arrival (some can request it during the visa process). You need it for payroll, banking and credit.

Health insurance: the US has no public health system for new arrivals. Cover comes either from your employer or from the marketplace (healthcare.gov / the New York State of Health exchange). Do not travel without cover; US medical costs are extremely high.

Driving licence and DMV: New York State residents exchange or apply for a licence through the New York DMV (dmv.ny.gov). Many New Yorkers do not drive, but if you will, note that a UK licence can be used short-term while you establish residency, after which a New York licence is required.

Pets: since 1 August 2024 the CDC requires every dog entering the US to have an ISO-compatible microchip, a completed CDC Dog Import Form (the receipt is valid for six months and multiple entries), to appear healthy, and to be at least six months old. Because the UK is classified as dog-rabies-free/low-risk, dogs travelling directly from the UK do not need a foreign rabies certificate — but they must still meet the microchip, form, age and health requirements. USDA rules may also apply. Cats have no CDC requirement, though airlines and USDA conditions still apply. Always confirm on cdc.gov before booking travel.

6. Timeline

A realistic London–New York timeline, working backwards from your move date:

• Months 6–12 before: Begin the visa process. This is the gating item — nothing else should proceed until your status is on track.
• Months 2–3 before: Book your mover, complete a home survey, and lock in sea or air freight. Start sorting what to ship, sell or store.
• Month 1 before: Prepare CBP Form 3299 and the inventory, arrange pet documentation (microchip and CDC form), sort UK-end admin (utilities, council tax, tenancy notice).
• Move week: Packing and collection; goods depart by sea (2–4 weeks transit) or air (days).
• After arrival: Clear customs, take delivery, apply for your SSN, arrange health insurance, and handle DMV/driving matters once settled.

How Flyto handles your move

Flyto Relocation runs its own hubs across Europe and partners with vetted agents worldwide, so a London–New York move is coordinated end to end from one point of contact. We survey your home, advise on the sea-versus-air split, prepare your CBP Form 3299 and inventory, manage the Atlantic crossing and US customs clearance, and arrange final delivery in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens or across the river in New Jersey. We also help you plan around your visa timeline and pet requirements so the logistics and the immigration side stay in step.

Get a personalised London–New York moving plan and quote from Flyto’s advisor →

Frequently asked questions

Related moves

• Moving from Paris to New York
• Moving from Madrid to New York
• Moving from Berlin to New York
• Moving from Dublin to New York
• Moving to Philadelphia from Abroad
• Moving to San Diego from Abroad

Sources

• US Customs and Border Protection — CBP Form 3299 and moving household goods: cbp.gov
• US Department of State — visa categories: travel.state.gov
• US Citizenship and Immigration Services — work visas and green cards: uscis.gov
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — bringing a dog into the US (rules effective 1 August 2024): cdc.gov
• New York State DMV — driving licences: dmv.ny.gov
• UK Government — moving abroad guidance: gov.uk

Hiring an international mover? See our full International removals to the USA service — Flyto’s own European hubs, vetted local partners and one English-speaking coordinator, door to door.