Movingmole USA Moving Guide
The United States of America is the second most popular international destination (behind Australia / New Zealand) for UK Migrants with 32,000 people moving there every year.
All private shipments of personal household goods will require a customs 3299 form to be completed prior to their arrival in the USA and accompanied with a photocopy of the passport photo pages and visas / work permits. Additional documents including a power of attorney will be also be required. All shipping paperwork will be provided / completed by your selected removal company, these include an inventory of effects and an Ocean Bill of Lading. The shipping inventory should not list any items as 'Miscellaneous or PBO' (Packed By Owner), in doing so this could alert the US port & customs authorities who will most likely request an inspection of your container, this could result in additional costs and delays.
The shipper will have to be in the USA prior to arrival of the shipment to complete customs clearance, again if you are not in the USA at this time your container will most likely be refused customs clearance which could also result in additional costs and delays.
Certain items will always attract customs duty and/or tax and these include:
- Alcohol - all types
- Tobacco - all types
- New furniture and household goods
- Motor vehicles
It is strongly recommended that Motor vehicles not originating from the USA or meeting the US emission requirements should not be exported to the USA. The high cost of warehouse bonding and conversion will be well above the value of the vehicle. Should you still decide to take your vehicle you will have 120 days from arrival to have the vehicle converted to comply with the US safety standards and 90 days to comply with the US emission standards. Should either time frame be exceeded the vehicle will most likely be confiscated, destroyed, re-exported at the shippers cost and / or a fined up to USD 10,000.
All the information given above is true to the best of our knowledge and is to be used as a guide only to assist you with your move to the USA, please ensure you discuss all your requirements with your chosen removal company.
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