Household goods container shipping USA → Europe
One team handles the whole move — from your US doorstep to your European home. Packing, container, customs clearance, final delivery. Duty-exemption help included.
- Door-to-door with packing and clearance
- Household goods customs clearance
- Car + furniture in a single container
- Bilingual support from start to finish
Shipping household goods from the USA to Europe with Leśniewski Shipping takes about 4–6 weeks door-to-door — roughly 3–4 weeks of ocean transit to the port of Gdynia, plus loading, customs clearance and inland delivery to your new address. A whole apartment plus a car fits in a single 40' container, and as a transfer of residence your personal belongings can often be imported duty- and VAT-free once the conditions are met. Leśniewski Shipping has run the USA – Poland lane since 1994, with offices on both sides and full customs handling included.
Why families choose us for an Atlantic move
Every move is different. Our job is to make yours stress-free — whether you're going back after a year or after thirty.
True door-to-door
We pick up at your US home and deliver to your address in Europe. You don't need to go to a port or terminal.
Packing and loading
Careful packing of furniture, appliances, and fragile items. Everything ships in our own container.
Bilingual paperwork
Packing list, customs declaration, duty-exemption forms. We guide you through every document.
Duty-exemption advice
We help qualifying returnees and expats apply for customs duty relief on personal effects.
Delivery anywhere in Europe
Doorstep delivery across Europe — no separate transfers or middlemen along the way.
Cargo insurance
We provide the option to purchase insurance to cover your move.
How an international move works, step by step
- 1
Consultation and quote
Quick intake: origin, destination, volume, whether a car is going too. Personalized quote within 1–2 business days.
- 2
Packing and pickup
We position a container at your home or receive your goods at our New Jersey warehouse. Packing help available.
- 3
Ocean transit USA → Europe
The container sails for roughly 3–4 weeks. Meanwhile we finalize customs paperwork on both sides.
- 4
Clearance and final delivery
European customs clearance, then inland transport to your new address. We assist with unloading.
Transit time and customs duty relief
Approximate ocean transit times on the USA – Europe lane and the basic conditions for customs duty relief on personal effects. We confirm the exact requirements and paperwork individually.
Transit time by port (approximate)
| Route | Ocean transit | Total door-to-door |
|---|---|---|
| New York / New Jersey → Gdynia / North Europe | ~16–20 days | 4–6 weeks |
| Savannah → Gdynia / North Europe | ~18–24 days | 5–6 weeks |
| Houston → Gdynia / North Europe | ~24–30 days | 6–7 weeks |
| Los Angeles → Gdynia / North Europe | ~30–38 days | 7–8 weeks |
Customs duty relief — conditions
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Who qualifies | Returning residents and qualifying expats |
| Primary residence | Moving to your new country |
| Proof of residence | Leases, utility bills, driver's license |
Transit times are indicative and depend on the port, carrier schedule and customs clearance. Duty-relief eligibility is assessed by customs case by case — we help you compile the supporting documents.
Frequently asked questions
Your personal belongings — furniture, appliances, clothing, books, tools, and (optionally) a personal vehicle — that you're moving with you because your primary residence is changing. Many EU countries offer a customs duty exemption for returning residents and qualifying expats; we'll help you determine eligibility.
Typically 4–6 weeks from US loading to doorstep delivery in Europe. The ocean leg is roughly 3–4 weeks; the rest is loading, customs clearance, and inland transport to your new address.
Yes. We prepare a bilingual packing list, help compile residence-proof documents (leases, utility bills, driver's license), and run full customs clearance in Europe so you don't have to visit any office in person.
Yes, and we recommend it. A car loaded alongside furniture in a single 40' container cuts the total relocation cost. One 40' usually fits an apartment plus a car.
Yes. We position a container at your home, or you can deliver to our warehouse in Irvington, NJ. Our team can also pack everything for you on request.
Yes. Many clients are already in Europe by the time the container sails. A signed power of attorney lets us handle clearance and delivery in your name.
Often not. When your move qualifies as a transfer of residence, your personal belongings can usually be imported into the EU free of customs duty and VAT. Eligibility is assessed by customs case by case — Leśniewski Shipping helps qualifying returnees and expats compile the supporting documents and applies for the relief on your behalf.
A single 40' container typically holds the contents of a full apartment, and it can carry a car alongside the furniture in the same load. For a smaller move or a partial household, a 20' container or a shared (LCL) load may be enough. We size the right option after a quick review of your inventory.
Plan your move from the USA to Europe
Fill in the form or call us. We'll tell you how long it takes, what it costs, and what to prepare.
- We answer within one business hour during office hours.
- English- and Polish-speaking support from both sides of the Atlantic.
- No commitment — the quote is free.
Explore our other services
USA – Europe container shipping
Full 20' and 40' containers from US ports across the Atlantic.
Learn moreUSA → Europe freight services
Consolidated shipments for individuals and businesses.
Learn moreCar imports from the USA
Copart, IAA, ocean transport and customs clearance.
Learn moreCar imports from Canada
Cars from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to Europe.
Learn moreParcels USA → Europe
Consolidated parcels on regular sailings.
Learn moreCar parts USA → Europe
Buying and shipping car parts from the USA, Gdynia pickup or door-to-door.
Learn more