MetEx House, 496a Great West Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW5 0TE  ·  Shipping since 1998
0800 096 38 39
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Student Shipping · London → USA

Student Luggage Shipping from London to USA

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

Returning home to New York, Los Angeles, or Chicago after studying in London? We ship student personal effects from London universities to the USA by air cargo — 4-7 working days, subject to space and flight availability with the carriers.

Get a student quote 0800 096 38 39 WhatsApp Quote
Student shipping London to USA

How student personal effects shipping works

Excess Luggage Co. has been shipping student personal effects since 1998. We collect from your London university hall or private address, prepare all UK export documentation, and ship your belongings to USA by air cargo.

London attracts students from across the USA for postgraduate studies — many at LSE, Imperial, UCL, and King's. We collect from any London postcode.

Transit time to USA

Air cargo from London to the USA takes 4-7 working days — one of the world's most active air cargo routes with daily departures. Sea freight to major US ports takes approximately 4-8 weeks.

London universities we serve

  • UCL
  • Imperial College London
  • LSE
  • King's College London
  • SOAS
  • University of Westminster
  • Goldsmiths

Destinations in USA

New York Los Angeles Chicago Boston Washington DC San Francisco Houston Miami
What you can ship

Accepted and restricted items

Accepted items

  • Clothing, shoes, and accessories
  • Books, files, and study materials
  • Laptops, tablets, phones, and electronics
  • Kitchen items and household goods
  • Bedding and personal effects
  • Musical instruments

Not accepted

  • Loose lithium-ion batteries (sea freight)
  • Fresh or perishable food
  • Aerosols and pressurised canisters
  • Controlled substances

Transit insurance

Owner-packed goods: approximately 5% of declared replacement value. Professionally packed: approximately 3.5%. Declare accurate replacement values. Ask us about transit insurance at booking.

Documents needed

  • Passport copy
  • Detailed packing list with values
  • Destination address
  • Student ID / proof of study
Related guides

Useful links for USA shipping

Student shipping hub London collection guide Shipping to USA Air vs sea freight Documents guide Prohibited goods
Frequently asked questions

Student shipping London to USA — answered

How do I ship student luggage from London to USA?+
Book with Excess Luggage Co. and we collect from your London university accommodation or home address. We prepare all UK export documentation and ship by air cargo to USA. Call us on 0800 096 38 39 or get a quote online.
How long does student luggage shipping from London to USA take?+
Air cargo from London to USA typically takes 4-10 working days. Air cargo from London to the USA takes 4-7 working days — one of the world's most active air cargo routes with daily departures. Sea freight to major US ports takes approximately 4-8 weeks.
Can I ship books, electronics, and clothing from London to USA?+
Yes. Books, laptops, tablets, phones, clothing, shoes, and household goods are all accepted as personal effects within our standard student shipping service. Declare all items accurately on your packing list.
Is student luggage shipping from London to USA cheaper than airline excess baggage?+
For more than one or two bags, yes — air cargo personal effects from London to USA is typically more cost-effective than per-kilo airline excess baggage, particularly for students moving multiple boxes of books and belongings.
Do you collect from all London universities?+
Yes. We collect from student halls, private accommodation, and home addresses across London. Wherever you are studying, we come to your door.
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.

Ready to ship your luggage from London?

Get a quote in minutes, or call our UK-based team on 0800 096 38 39.

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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.