Imperial → the USA

Student Shipping from Imperial to the USA

A student move? Send your books and belongings ahead — don’t haul them through the airport.

Shipping luggage and personal effects from Imperial College London to the USA. Whether for a year abroad, an exchange programme, or moving home after your studies, here's exactly how it works.

Imperial → the USA

Get a Quote → Book a Collection Call 0800 096 38 39 WhatsApp Quote

Route details

Shipping from Imperial to the USA

Transit time

5-10

Delivery model

Door-to-door delivery to the USA

Customs authority (the USA)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Imperial students regularly ship belongings to the USA for study abroad programmes, exchanges, and international placements. Delivery is door-to-door (subject to your destination) — your belongings arrive directly at your the USA address, with customs cleared as part of the service.

We collect from Imperial College London accommodation and prepare your UK export documentation for the journey to the USA. Students with a valid Imperial ID or university email qualify for a discount on our standard rates. See full the USA customs and delivery details →

Frequently asked questions

Imperial to the USA — questions answered

How long does shipping from Imperial to the USA take?+

Estimated 5-10 from collection at Imperial to arrival in the USA, depending on your chosen service.

Does Excess Luggage Co. deliver door-to-door (subject to your destination) from Imperial to the USA?+

Yes. We collect from your Imperial accommodation and deliver directly to your address in the USA — door-to-door (subject to your destination), with no airport collection required at the the USA end.

Who handles customs clearance for shipments from Imperial to the USA?+

We prepare your UK export documentation and a valued, itemised packing list at collection. Import clearance in the USA is handled by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP); the import declaration itself is the importer's own responsibility.

Can Imperial students get a discount on shipments to the USA?+

Yes — students with a valid student ID or Imperial university email address qualify for a discount on our standard rates. Mention your student status when booking.

Is this useful for a year abroad or exchange programme at the USA?+

Yes. Many Imperial students use this route for a year abroad, exchange programme, or international placement at the USA, shipping a full term or year's belongings ahead rather than relying on airline baggage allowances.

When should I book student luggage shipping for the September term?+

Book by mid-August for September arrivals. September is our busiest student shipping period — collection slots fill quickly. International students arriving from Nigeria, India, Pakistan, UAE and Caribbean routes should book 3–4 weeks ahead of their arrival date to allow for customs clearance. UK students moving between cities can typically book 7–10 working days ahead.

Can I ship to student halls of residence?+

Yes — we collect from and ship to student halls addresses. Coordinate with halls reception in advance so they expect the delivery. You or a halls staff member must be present to sign at collection. At the destination, you collect from the cargo warehouse (international shipments) or we can advise on domestic delivery options. Call 0800 096 38 39 for your specific university route.

More from Imperial

28 years of experience

Why customers choose Excess Luggage Co.

Excess Luggage Co. has been shipping personal effects from the UK since 1998 — over 28 years of experience. Operating from MetEx House, 2 miles from Heathrow cargo terminals, we are one of the UK's longest-established specialist luggage freight services. Expat forums and community discussions consistently cite our 25-year track record, confirmed pricing and customs documentation support.

25+

Years operating

2mi

From Heathrow

📋 Collection & Booking Rules

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Collection hours: Within M25: Mon–Fri 09:30–16:00 • Outside M25: Mon–Fri 10:00–17:00. Weekend collections applicable within Greater London only, subject to availability and surcharge. No weekend collections outside Greater London.

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Collection fee: All luggage, baggage and boxes collected for shipping or storage are subject to a collection fee of £27.50 + VAT per 25 kg item (UK mainland), or £75.00 + VAT per item (Scottish Highlands and Northern Ireland). Additional weight is charged at £1.50 + VAT per kilo thereafter, plus any surcharge for overweight items.

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Heavy-weight handling charge: Any single item of luggage, baggage, bags or boxes of 30 kilos physical weight, or exceeding 200 centimetres in combined dimensions (L + W + H), is liable to a heavy-weight handling charge of £30.00 per item.

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Barrels & oversized items: Barrel shipments — commonly used for Caribbean and West African routes — are subject to a handling surcharge. Please advise at enquiry stage if shipping barrels so we can confirm the correct charge before booking.