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...
Impressed by your representative and his suggestions for the move
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
We found you on the internet and were impressed by your representative and his suggestions for the move
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?
Because you gave me a reasonable quote.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Very helpful efficient and cheerful
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Your phone contact was very helpful, and even came back to us after a very short time with a replacement after initially saying you had no availability for our chosen date
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 professional from start to finish
From quote to removal, excellent service
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Good reviews online
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?
Explained everything to us and reasonably priced
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
They worked efficiently and nothing was too much trouble even though we wasn’t sure if the move would go ahead
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Nothing to change
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?
From quote to removal, excellent service
Couldn’t have had a better team
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Moved house previously with you. Contact details from internet
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?
Previously used your services
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
John, Anthony and Tyler couldn’t have been more helpful. Very clean, tidy, friendly and caring. Couldn’t have had a better team. Catherine Tuft and Matthew were also very sympathetic, accommodating and helpful.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Don’t know
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?
All went very smoothly and quickly
Your service was great from the office staff through to the removers
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Yours was a competitive quote and I found you by googling removal companies
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?
Good quote and you could fit in with our moving date
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
They arrived early, were very efficient and polite and helpful
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Your service was great from the office staff through to the removers
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?
I would highly recommend you
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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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