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Our all-inclusive moving package covers the essentials at one affordable price. Call us on +44 (0) 121 392 1720 or complete the form and get a quote within an hour.
Everything you need to help you plan your move.
We always recommend speaking directly to the relevant embassy for the most accurate and up to date moving advice:
Popular Destinations in The United States of America
Global Moving Services is vastly experience in international removals to cities all over the globe. Their long history and detailed knowledge of different countries makes them the perfect choice for your move. Here are some of the most popular destinations we are asked to move people to in The United States of America:
New York (New York), Los Angeles (California), Chicago (Illinois), Houston (Texas), Philadelphia (Pennsylvania), Phoenix (Arizona), San Antonio (Texas), San Diego (California), Dallas (Texas), San Jose (California), Austin (Texas), San Francisco (California), Columbus (Ohio), Charlotte (North Carolina), Seattle (Washington), Washington (District of Columbia), Denver (Colorado), Boston (Massachusetts), Long Beach (California), Atlanta (Georgia), Miami (Florida). Get a quote to one of these places
Need Help?
If you are unsure about what you need, one of our international move managers is always willing to help. Just call us on +44 121 392 1720, or fill out an international removal enquiry, and we’ll ease you through the process.
Moving Your Money
If you’re moving to The United States of America, it’s very likely you’ll have to exchange a large amount of currency. Many people waste thousands doing this through their bank as they think there is no alternative; but we partner with FC Exchange who specialise in doing just this. FC Exchange will offer all Global Moving Services customers preferential rates when exchanging currency and guarantee to beat other rates you’re receiving. Ask one of our move managers about this, to find out more call: +44 121 392 1720
Get Insurance
We always advise taking out an insurance policy with us on every move. Although we like to think we’re the best in the industry, the odd accident can occasionally happen. For added peace of mind, make sure to speak to one of our move managers about this.
If you have already contracted us for your international removal to The United States of America, then you can download the insurance form and email the completed form back to your international relocation manager.
Moving Your Car Or Motorcycle
Below is a list of the documents you will need when planning to move your vehicle to The United States of America:
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Form EPA-3520-21, if applicable
- OBL (foreign purchased vehicles)
- Bill of Sale / Pro-forma Invoice with Statement of Value (foreign purchased vehicles)
- Title of ownership translated into English (foreign purchased vehicles)
- Department of Transportation (DOT) Form HS-7
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Form 3520-1 (foreign purchased vehicles)
- Proof of conformity by either:
- U.S. Title / Registration
- Letter of Conformity from the manufacturer
- Foreign military sales contract that indicates vehicle meets USA-EPA / DOT regulations
- Exemption as a 25-model year old vehicle as proven by the title
- Copy of U.S. Title or Registration when previously registered in the USA (vehicles previously owned and shipped from the U.S. by the returning importer)
- Completed EPA-3520-1, DOT, HS-7 and Customs 7501 forms (vehicles previously owned and shipped from the U.S. by the returning importer)
- Letter of Permission from the EPA (non-residents importing vehicles as a tourist)
Additional Import Advice
- For vehicles previously owned and shipped from the U.S. by the returning importer, the ownership names must match with the consignee of the shipment on the vehicle Title and Registration.
- A non-U.S. resident can import a vehicle for a period of up to 1 year as a tourist, but no extension will be allowed. The importer is required to obtain a permission letter prior to shipping the vehicle from the EPA.
Vehicles imported by non-residents for tourism may not sell or offer for vehicle for sale and it must be exported prior to the 1-year period or is subject to seizure and penalties by Customs. - Some ports of entry (POE) require a bond for up to three times the value of the vehicle to ensure the timely export of the vehicle. Additional port specific declarations may be required for this temporary importation
- A Bill of Sale or Pro-forma Invoice with the statement of value must include the vehicle’s description, vehicle identification number (VIN), model and year of manufacture.
- In general vehicles that are 25 model years old and with the original drive train are exempt from EPA / DOT regulations.
- Vehicles less than 25 model years old that were not previously titled in the U.S must comply with EPA / DOT regulations.
- The cost and time to bring a vehicle into compliance by an ICI (certified conversion shop) make the process an unwise economic decision in most cases.
- It is strongly recommended not to import non-complying vehicles. In the event an importer elects to attempt to import a vehicle it should be sent separately from household goods and personal effects shipments to avoid delays in the receipt of the shipment.
- The importer must make arrangements with an ICI shop in the USA prior to shipping the vehicle in order to get an estimate and to determine if the vehicle can be brought into compliance.
- Marine engines and gas-powered generators are also subject to EPA requirements
and Form EPA-3520-21 is normally required for those items. - It is important to know that any imported vehicle, new or used, must comply with U.S. safety, fuel savings, and air pollution control standards. If an imported vehicle does not conform to these standards, it must be brought into conformity; otherwise it must be destroyed or exported.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that the undercarriage of imported cars be free from foreign soil before they can be entered into the United States. This may be done by steam spray or by thorough cleaning before shipment.
- Do not store personal items in any motor vehicle.
Relocating Your Pets to The USA
These documents will be required when planning to relocate your pet to The United States of America:
- Veterinary Health Certificate
- Rabies Vaccination Record
Additional Import Advice
- The importation of pets is subject to health, quarantine, agriculture or wildlife requirements and prohibitions.
- Pets are subject to examination at the first port of arrival for any evidence of disease.
- A valid Rabies (rage) Vaccination Record must accompany dogs arriving from areas not free from rabies.
- There is no requirement for a rabies certificate for domestic cats.
- Contact the destination agent to determine if special certificates and admission requirements apply, providing the common and scientific name of the animal along with the country of origin that it is being shipped to ensure all appropriate government agencies can be contacted.
- Most turtles and monkeys are not allowed entry into the U.S.
Think very carefully before moving these items to The United States of America. Items on this list will be taxed and/or require specific permission to import. In all cases they must be declared prior to you relocating to The United States of America:
- Plants and seeds (an Import Permit and Plant and Plant Product Declaration Form are required)
- Soil (an Import Permit is required)
- Meats and meat byproducts (e.g., bouillon soups)
- Medications
- Fruits and vegetables
- Game and hunting trophies
- Gold
- Merchandise from embargoed countries (a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control is required)
- Certain animal species (contact the destination agent for information)
- Textiles and clothing
- Plants and seeds (an Import Permit and a PPQ Form 505 – Plant and Plant Product Declaration are required) (Hawaii)
- Biological materials of public health or veterinary importance (an Import Permit is required) (Hawaii)
- Wood packing materials (materials from China must be fumigated, verified by documentation) (Hawaii)
- Alcohol
- The importation of alcohol is governed by both Federal andstate laws. In general the Federal Government allows a reasonable amount of alcohol to be imported in a household goods shipment. If Customs feels the amount is excessive they will require the importer to hire a licensed alcohol importer to file a commercial entry.
- Domestic importers should comply with the residencestate laws which vary fromstate to state. Somestatesallow no alcohol imports while others require the importer to obtain a permit and pay a fee and still others allow a reasonable amount. Eachstatehas regulations and must be consulted before making a shipment.
- A detailed moving inventory must be made at the time of packing in order for food and drug filings to be performed and proper duties and taxes to be paid on the shipment.
- For imports into Hawaii as part of the household goods shipment, the shipper is required to apply for a Liquor Permit with the City and County of Honolulu Liquor Commission on Oahu. The importer must appear in person to apply for the permit and provide the permit for the liquor to clear U.S. Customs.
- A Permit C – Household Goods Permit form is required for the import of alcohol (Hawaii).
- Inherited Goods (Imports to Hawaii)
- Inherited goods can be imported duty free if the following conditions are met:
- The items are over 100 years old and can be proven through documentation.
- Were available for use in the shipper’s place of residence for 1 year prior to entry into the United States. It does not have to be the year prior to the inheritance (e.g., the items were in the shipper’s parent’s house during the shipper’s childhood).
- Food Items
- The importation of food items is strongly discouraged.
- Food products also require a detailed moving inventory for food and drug filings and duty payment.
- A Food Questionnaire form must be completed if importing food items (Hawaii).
- Fish / Wildlife
- Ivory items, skins, feathers and shells are regulated by Fish and Wildlife.
- Many of these items require special CITES Permits or may be prohibited from being imported.
- It is critical for the origin agent to consult with the U.S. agent to determine if an item requires a permit or can be legally imported. The permits cannot be issued once the shipment has left the origin country.
- The destination agent will need to know the common, scientific names and country of origin to determine if a permit is required.
- Weapons
- Guns (ammunition should not be shipped as it is a hazardous good) previously owned and shipped from the U.S. can normally be imported if military, government personnel can establish to the satisfaction of Customs that the items were sent from the U.S..
- The best method is for the owner to register the weapons with Customs prior to export from the U.S. If the importer does not have a registration then a copy of sales receipts, the export OBL, moving inventory and a Declaration will sometimes satisfy Customs.
- Weapons purchased overseas are normally required to be imported using a Federal Firearms permit holder but some exceptions do apply to allow non-resident individuals to apply for a permit directly with Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF).
- The ATF Permit filing should be applied for at least 6 weeks in advance of the arrival of the shipment. The application requires that the Customs broker who will handle the entry be named on the ATF application, so it is important that the application is filed properly
from the start to avoid delays on arrival. - The importer should consult with the U.S. agent when considering shipping any weapons and provide all the facts regarding how and where the weapons were acquired. It should be noted that not all types of weapons can be imported.
Do not move any of these items to The United States of America:
- Tuna
- Drug paraphernalia
- Haitian animal hide drums
- Blank tapes and CDs from Iran
- Absinthe
- Counterfeit items or items inappropriately using a federally registered trademark
- Flavored cigarettes, including cloves
- Cuban cigars
- Products made from dog and cat fur
- The following additional items are prohibited in GMS Baggage/Courier Consignments:
- Aerosols (all kinds, Hairspray, Deodorant etc)
- Aftershaves / Perfumes / Fragrances
- Airbags
- Alcoholic Drinks or Bottles
- Ammunition of any kind
- Animals of any kind (Dead or Alive)
- Any items containing Petrol (Liquid, Gas or Fumes)
- Biological Samples
- Car Batteries
- Cash & Cards (Credit / Debit)
- Chainsaws
- Cheques (Bank)
- Christmas Crackers
- Counterfeit Currency
- Dangerous Goods
- Driving Licence
- Drugs (Including Prescription)
- Engines
- Excrement / Filth
- Fire Extinguishers
- Fish (Dead or Live)
- Foodstuffs (all kinds)
- Hazardous Goods
- Human Remains (including ashes)
- Infectious Substances
- Knives
- Laptop Computers, Mobile/Smart Phones or Tablets
- Lighters
- Lottery Tickets
- Nail Varnish / Nail Varnish Remover
- Oils
- Paints
- Passports
- Perishable Goods (All)
- Plants / Seeds etc
- Printer Toner
- Seatbelt Tensioners and Steering Wheels
- Stamps
- Tobacco
- Water
- Weapons (all kinds, including replicas)
- Windscreens
Disclaimer: Customs regulations can change at any time with or without notice. This information is provided as a guide only. While Global Moving Services has exercised reasonable care in publishing this information, Global Moving Services makes no representation, either expressed or implied, as to its accuracy or applicability.