Borders & customs
Please check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for the latest information on travelling abroad.
Moving abroad doesn’t have to mean moving into the unknown. Different countries have different customs rules, and familiarising yourself with them can be daunting.
Luckily, Robinsons highly experienced staff will guide you through the process and advise you of what you can and can’t take with you. We’ve been moving people abroad since the 1960’s; we have the know-how when it comes to paperwork and customs procedures.
Your move will be co-ordinated and managed by a designated Move Manager. As your single point of contact, your Move Manager will be in touch regularly prior to your move date, so that any problems or concerns are picked up early and resolved quickly, so you don’t have to worry about trying to think of everything.
If you have concerns regarding borders & customs, why not get in touch? Our friendly, dedicated staff are always happy to help. Alternatively, have a browse through the country-specific customs guides published by our accrediting association Fidi, the International Federation of International Furniture Movers.
Your international move with Robinsons in 6 steps
Step 1
We quote your move
Step 2
We schedule your move
Step 3
We pack and load
Step 4
We deal with customs
Step 5
We keep you informed
Step 6
We deliver at destination
Dedicated move managers
Take care of all move paperwork, including customs forms.
Specialist European division
You’re in safe hands – your move is assigned to our experts European division.
Customer-first approach
We know moving is stressful, that’s why we put you first.
Flexible service
We make the move fit you to take the stress away.
International quality standards
We’re members of international trade associations FIDI and OMNI – ensuring high standards in the UK and all across Europe.
100+ years experience
Robinsons have been moving families and businesses since 1895.
“Excellent” Truspilot rating
Our customers love us – see what they say!
Regular scheduled service to Europe
Regular scheduled service all across Europe means your possessions arrive faster.
You can’t take everything with you?
We also provide a secure, protective storage system. Our storage containers are:
- Packed under your supervision
- Accompanied by a full inventory and insurance
- Available for long or short term periods
If you want to know more about our international removals services, just get in touch and we’ll be able to answer any questions you may have.
Frequently asked questions about moving overseas
As a result of international regulations, there are certain things that you may have to leave behind. For a comprehensive summary of the Border Services Agency requirements of your destination, please visit our FIDI Customs Guides section.
And if you can’t find a home for the items that you can’t take with you, Robinsons offers first-class, secure storage facilities.
We quote the following shipping times for popular destinations:
- 3 to 8 weeks for New York and Toronto
- 5 to 10 weeks for Vancouver
- 6 to 10 weeks to Los Angeles and San Francisco
- 8 to 12 weeks for Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Auckland and Christchuch.