Overseas removals - deep sea shipping containers
Britannia Goodwins International Removals & Storage has been moving people from Staffordshire and Cheshire to points all around the globe since 1935. With our knowledge and experience, no location is too difficult or exotic for us to arrange the safe transport of your belongings.
It doesn't matter how big or small your international move is - we can arrange for the transport for just a few items all the way through to multiple shipping containers, cars, pets and so on.
Once your goods are wrapped and packed they will be transported in deep sea containers until they pass through customs and are unloaded on arrival. Our appointed agents will oversee customs clearance, delivery and unpacking at your new home.
To help you prepare for your move abroad, we offer some international moving advice, to help you have a smooth move to your new home.
We also offer specialist marine insurance for added peace of mind. As moves by sea are subject to many and varied risks, we strongly advise that you are correctly insured for your move.

Shipping container sizes
The most commonly used sizes and dimensions of commonly used containers to ship household goods and personal effects.
Please note: The cubic capacity stated is the maximum. When loading household goods and personal effects, please allow for a 10% reduction in capacity.
Container size | Length mm | Width mm | Height mm | Capacity in cubic metres |
---|---|---|---|---|
20' General Purpose | 5893 | 2337 | 2388 | 32.9 |
40' General Purpose | 12014 | 2337 | 2388 | 67 |
40' High Cube | 12014 | 2337 | 2667 | 75.8 |
45' High Cube | 13556 | 2352 | 2698 | 86 |


Overseas removals transit times
The transit times listed below are typical, however, shipping lines do alter schedules from time to time without prior notice. Of course, transit times can be impacted by political issues, economic fluctuations and adverse weather conditions.
For most ports there are several weekly sailings and the transit times and costs will vary. Times shown are door-to-door, port-to-port times are shorter.
Destination | Shared container | Sole use container |
---|---|---|
Australia | 10 - 12 weeks | 7 - 9 weeks |
Canada - East coast | 6 - 9 weeks | 4 - 5 weeks |
Canada - West coast | 10 - 12 weeks | 5 - 7 weeks |
Far East | 8 -10 weeks | 5 - 6 weeks |
Mediterranean | 6 - 9 weeks | 3 - 5 weeks |
New Zealand | 10 - 12 weeks | 7 - 9 weeks |
South Africa - Cape Town, Durban | 9 - 13 weeks | 5 - 7 weeks |
South Africa - Johannesburg | 9 - 13 weeks | 5 - 7 weeks |
Canary Islands | 8 - 12 weeks | 4 - 5 weeks |
Dubai & UAE | 7 -11 weeks | 4 - 6 weeks |
USA - East coast and Florida | 8 - 12 weeks | 4 - 6 weeks |
USA - West coast - San Francisco/Los Angeles | 9 - 13 weeks | 5 - 7 weeks |
Removal quote appointment booking service
Britannia Goodwins Removals & Storage can help your overseas move go smoothly. Contact us for a free, no obligation quote, or by calling 01785 251161 and speaking with one of our Stafford and Cheshire removals specialists.
How are our appointments carried out
In the current times you might prefer that we don't visit your house in person to carry out a survey. This is fully understandable and we can just as easily undertake the survey by video call, using whatever method you're comfortable with, usually FaceTime or WhatsApp.
See what our customers think of us...
Had to move odd bulky items; a piano, grandfather clock, bike, heavy furniture. They were amazing!
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
I have used you before. Got info from website.
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
8/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
8/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
I have used you before and was happy with the service
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Paul, Alan, Anthony, Adrian, Adam, and Gareth were all efficient, professional , kind and helpful.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
Move team had to move odd bulky items; a piano, grandfather clock, bike, heavy furniture. They were amazing!
Reassuring, patient
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Used you before
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
9/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
9/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Good name
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Reassuring, patient
How would you rate our communication?
9/10
How can we improve our service?
No idea
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Removal lads made the whole process as seamless as possible
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Search for local removals
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Local, good reviews and available
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Cannot praise highly enough
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Perhaps more information prior to the move, I was not sure what when and how. However this certainly wasn’t a problem in the end.
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
Again, I think your removal lads made the whole process as seamless as possible, they could not have done more.
More than happy to move furniture around on two occasions, when I changed my mind
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Compare website
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
10/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Our date at the enquiry time was unknown but Claire from the office kept in regular contact on our progress
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
John, Rob, Andy, Anthony and Lee were superb. Nothing was too much trouble. The packing up was excellent and performed very efficiently and quickly. In our new home, John and Rob took the time with us on where to place everything, more than happy to move furniture around on two occasions, when I changed my mind.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
I honestly don't think it could be any better
ow likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about your move?
N/A
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