UK to USA Logistics

The transatlantic lane is one of the busiest and most reliable in the world, but US import rules are detailed and the penalties for late or wrong filings are real. A container can be on the water in ten days, and still be held at the port because a security filing was late or the importer's customs bond was not in place. Nostrac Shipping handles UK to USA moves by sea and air, prepares the export file in the UK, and works with the US importer's customs broker so filings are made on time and the goods clear on arrival. We ship machinery, food and drink, consumer products, vehicles and parts, and industrial supplies to destinations across the country.

Services on the UK to USA Lane

What we move, and how:

• FCL sea freight — Full containers from Felixstowe, Southampton and London Gateway to New York and New Jersey, Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah, Houston and the West Coast. See our FCL sea freight page.
• LCL groupage — Consolidated services for smaller shipments, delivered from US container freight stations. See our LCL sea freight page.
• Air freight — Urgent parts, samples and high value goods flown to New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles and other gateways. See our air freight page.
• Inland delivery — Rail and truck from the port to inland cities such as Chicago, Atlanta, Memphis and Dallas, or direct to the customer's door.
• Out of gauge and vehicles — Flat racks, Ro-Ro and breakbulk for machinery, vehicles and project equipment.

Transit Times

Typical planning figures from the UK:

• Sea freight to New York and New Jersey: around ten to fourteen days port to port
• Sea freight to Savannah, Charleston or Houston: around two to three weeks
• Sea freight to Los Angeles or Long Beach: around four to five weeks via the Panama Canal
• Inland rail from the East Coast to the Midwest: add several days
• Air freight: one to three days airport to airport

US Filings and Documents

Most delays on this lane come from filings rather than from the ship. Expect to provide:

• Importer Security Filing — For ocean cargo, the importer must file security data with US Customs at least 24 hours before the container is loaded on the vessel in the UK. We supply the shipment data early so the importer's broker can file on time. Late or inaccurate filings can lead to penalties and holds.
• Customs bond — Commercial shipments above the formal entry threshold need a customs bond held by the importer of record. Confirm this is in place before the goods leave the UK.
• Commercial invoice and packing list — Clear product descriptions, values, country of origin and package details, consistent with the bill of lading.
• Food and drink — Food shipments need FDA prior notice before arrival, and the facilities that make or pack the food generally need to be registered with the FDA.
• Other regulated goods — Products such as cosmetics, medical devices, chemicals, alcohol and wood products can fall under other US agency rules. The importer and their broker should confirm what applies before shipment.
• Wood packaging — Solid wood pallets and crates must be ISPM 15 treated and marked.

Where UK to USA Shipments Go Wrong

The failures we see most often:

• Late security filing — The container is loaded before the filing is made, and the importer faces a penalty or a hold at the US port.
• No importer of record — The UK seller ships on delivered terms without a US party able to act as importer, and nobody can clear the goods.
• Vague descriptions — A description such as "parts" or "samples" is not enough for US Customs, and the entry is queried.
• Exam delays — US Customs can select a container for examination. The cost and time fall on the importer, so build a margin into the delivery date.

Choosing the Right US Port

The best port depends on where the goods end up, not on which sailing is cheapest:

• New York and New Jersey — The largest East Coast gateway, the natural choice for the Northeast and for many Midwest rail moves.
• Baltimore and Norfolk — Good for the Mid Atlantic, and Baltimore is a major port for vehicles and Ro-Ro cargo.
• Charleston and Savannah — Strong options for the Southeast, with fast access to Atlanta and the manufacturing belt across the South.
• Houston — Serves Texas and the energy industry, and suits project cargo and industrial equipment.
• Los Angeles and Long Beach — For West Coast customers. The longer sea leg via Panama is often still cheaper than shipping to the East Coast and trucking across the country.

Related Services

• Export paperwork on the exporting from the UK page
• Vehicles and parts on our automotive logistics page
• Food and drink shipments on our food and drink logistics page

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does shipping take from the UK to the USA?

Sea freight to New York and New Jersey typically takes around ten to fourteen days port to port. Southern ports take around two to three weeks, and the West Coast around four to five weeks. Air freight usually takes one to three days.

What is an Importer Security Filing?

A filing of shipment data that the US importer must make with US Customs at least 24 hours before ocean cargo is loaded on the vessel at the origin port. We provide the data early so the importer's broker can file on time.

Does the US importer need a customs bond?

Commercial shipments above the formal entry threshold need a customs bond, held by the importer of record. It can be a single entry bond or a continuous bond for regular importers.

Can I ship food from the UK to the USA?

Yes, provided the food facility is registered with the FDA and prior notice is submitted before the goods arrive. Some products have additional rules, so check with the importer before shipping.

Can you deliver to inland US cities?

Yes. We arrange rail and truck from the port of arrival to inland cities and direct to the customer's door.

Who clears the goods through US Customs?

The importer of record, usually through a licensed US customs broker. We coordinate with the broker and send complete documents ahead of arrival.

Talk to Nostrac about your requirements and we will tell you what is realistic before you commit to it.

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