International removals by sea
Whilst moving internationally may be a little more complicated than moving across the street, there aren't many places that we haven't completed a move to. Let Bradshaw Moving Services take the strain and support you with your exciting international move. Our experienced team have moved people all over the globe, and know how to help you have the smoothest move abroad possible.
Moving your home by sea does take longer than a move by road or air, and the most common questions we're asked are how much fits in a shipping container, and how long will it take for my items to arrive.
How large are shipping containers?
Below are the sizes and dimensions of the most commonly used containers to ship household goods and personal effects.
The cubic capacity stated is the maximum. When loading household goods and personal effects 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 |
How long is transit time?
The transit times listed below are what we commonly experience, however, shipping lines do alter schedules from time to time without prior notice. It is worth noting that transit times can be impacted by economic fluctuations and adverse weather conditions.
For most ports there are several weekly sailings and transit times and costs can vary. Times shown are door-to-door.
| 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
Bradshaw Moving Services can help your move go smoothly. Contact us for a free, no obligation quote, or by calling 0116 289 9011 (Leicester), 0115 965 6555 (Nottingham), or 01283 243001 (Derby & Burton) and speak with one of our 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...
They kept the floors protected were courteous and helpful
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
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?
9/10
Why did you choose to move/store with us?
Good explanation by administration staff to my request and clear paperwork and costs were explained.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Calm reassuring asked appropriate questions. They kept the floors protected were courteous and helpful. They anticipated any difficulties over moving specific items of furniture.
How would you rate our communication?
9/10
How can we improve our service?
It was a good 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?
I felt well supported and that items were safe. Helpful staff as I was on my own doing the move after over 30 years at the property so it was emotional and exhausting.
Email to Lynn
It was a fantastic service and I am very glad that I chose your company. The feedback to you personally is that you have a great customer service manner. You are calm kind and reassuring.
Thank you for an excellent service at a very stressful time.
Clare TurnbullNothing was too much trouble
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Good reviews - search engine
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?
The professional way you did things
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Excellent great team nothing was too much trouble they work really hard.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Seems really good already
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?
So impressed with them all
Sympathetic. Professional. Helpful.
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
We were let down by our local removals company (and told the day before we moved that they couldn’t move us) so I contacted Bradshaw with my wife in tears and everything crossed.
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?
Sympathetic. Professional. Helpful. Competitive quote. Available.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
They were amazing and worked very hard despite some surprises and challenges. Friendly, professional, helpful, polite & amazing!
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
You were amazing and saved us. Beyond this, you were excellent in every respect and did more than we could have expected.
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?
A nightmare was turned into an efficient process. There was no time for Bradshaw to visit so they accepted the volume calculation/quotation from the original company and we were all surprised it was inaccurate.
Listened to what we said about access to new house and took appropriate action
Why did you choose to get a quote from us and where did you get our contact details?
Leaflet through the door and checking reviews
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?
Listened to what we said about access to new house and took appropriate action.
How would you rate your move team?
10/10
Would you like to tell us anything about your move team?
Thanks Tommy, Luke and Jake for polite efficient service and asking what we wanted.
How would you rate our communication?
10/10
How can we improve our service?
Enable easier direct payment on your website.
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 went smoothly.
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.
© Bradshaw Moving Services 2025.
Registered in England 10144531
Bradshaw Moving Services is a trading name of Bradshaws of Leicester Limited
An indicoll website
Privacy PolicyCookie PolicyDisclaimerAccessibility