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...
One of the best removal teams we have dealt with
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Google
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?
Reviews and price. Competitive and a few hundred cheaper than others. Plus good communication.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
The team were amazing. Made the move easier to deal with, especially having 2 nervous dogs and a cat. Nothing was too much trouble for the guys. One of the best removal teams we have dealt with and we have moved several times in the last 15 years.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
No suggestions.
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Would highly recommend you to anyone that asks!
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
I had used you in the past for the company I worked for and was impressed
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?
I was impressed the last time I used you
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Adam, Ant and Gaz were brilliant on the day. Couldn't fault them and certainly did Goodwins proud! Would use you again in the future and I would highly recommend you to anyone that asks!
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Nothing you could improve on as it went seamless
How likely are you to recommend us to your friends / family?
10/10
Nothing was rushed or too much trouble
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Local to where I live
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
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
The team were extremely helpful and even though things were held up by solicitors kept things calm and nothing was rushed or too much trouble. We were impressed.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
The online form could be simplified.
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?
Very helpful team, I would recommend your company.
Never seen something so well protected before
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
You came recommended at the local level by my parents and have a strong international presence
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?
Your team immediately put me at ease and I felt my goods would be really looked after. The quote was actually a little expensive that your competitor, but peace of mind was most important for me.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Honestly excellent and cannot praise them enough. Moving is always stressful and moving to California even more so. The items they sent are irreplaceable to me and they were extremely well contained. I have never seen something so well protected before -- Thanks Chris and Alan. Everything arrived exactly as it left. This was all managed by Matthew Myers who was excellent from start to finish
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Honestly hard to find any faults.
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?
Thank you for making it so smooth and flawless
Email to Matt
I’m just dropping you a line (and some photos) to say I have received my goods from Stafford.
I’ll be honest, I have never seen something so well wrapped and protected before! Please can you pass on my thanks to the guys that collected my things, wrapped and shipped? I am very grateful for their care and diligence.
I would also like to thank you for all your efforts these past 2 or so months. It’s been a pleasure to work with you and I will definitely recommend yourself and Goodwins to others in my position. If you have a form or review you’d like me to fill out, please let me know.
All the best!
Sachin ReddyUK Quote
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UK Price Guide
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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.
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