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...
Friendly and efficient
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Recommended by a friend
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?
Price
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Friendly and efficient
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Very obliging, polite, friendly and uncomplaining
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Card through post
How would you rate the way we dealt with your initial enquiry?
10/10
How would you rate the survey that we carried out?
9/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Availability at short notice and competitive price
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Very obliging, polite, friendly and uncomplaining
How would you rate our communication?
9/10
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
These guys were excellent
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Recommendation from neighbours
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?
Conveniently located to the house I had sold
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Very professional
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
I cannot think of anything which would improve the service
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?
Moving house is a traumatic experience. Good professional team is necessary and these guys were excellent.
Lovely friendly lads
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Friend of an employee
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?
Trusted you would do a good job
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Lovely friendly lads
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Everything was great
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
UK Quote
Complete the form below to get your UK Removals quotation
European Removals Quote Request
Complete the form below to get your European Removals quotation
International Removals Quote Request
Complete the form below to get your International Removals quotation
Call Me Back
Complete the form below and we'll call you back to discuss your requirements
Self Storage
Complete the form below to get your Self Storage quotation
UK Price Guide
Complete the form below to get a Price Guide sent to you
Please note: Our Price Guide tool is intended for moves within the UK Mainland only. If you're moving to or from the UK mainland please speak to one of our friendly team who will be able to provide you with a bespoke quote.
© Britannia Goodwins Removals & Storage 2025.
Registered in England 00719614
Britannia Goodwins is a trading name of John Bradshaw and Son Limited
An indicoll website
Privacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclaimerAccessibility