Destination guide
Shipping Heavy Equipment to United Kingdom
In 2025 the United States reported exporting 1,581 machines worth $145 million to United Kingdom in the 15 classes we track, up 31% on 2024. The fastest published sailing is Grimaldi from Baltimore to Southampton, 9–12 days. RoRo service: Regular from the East and Gulf Coast, none from the West Coast. Duty and VAT on a $100,000 CIF excavator come to $20,000, or 20% of its value.
The four ways to ship machinery to United Kingdom
Container, flat rack, RoRo and breakbulk, with where each one lands. RoRo availability is by U.S. coast; the other three are booked on the services that run when the cargo is ready.
| Method | From the U.S. | Where it lands, and conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Container | Booked on request | Container ports: Port of Felixstowe, Port of Southampton, Port of Liverpool. No schedule we track lists a direct call, so the carrier and any transshipment are confirmed at booking. |
| Flat rack | Booked on request | For machines too wide or tall for a closed box, on container lines that accept out-of-gauge cargo. Discharge at Port of Felixstowe, Port of Southampton, Port of Liverpool, subject to the terminal taking flat racks. |
| RoRo | Regular from the East and Gulf Coast, none from the West Coast | Published services: Atlantic Container Line A Service[4]; Grimaldi MED/USA/MEX[2]. RoRo ports: Port of Felixstowe, Port of Southampton, Port of Immingham. |
| Breakbulk | Liner breakbulk or charter | For cargo too large or heavy for a flat rack, loaded by ship or shore crane. Breakbulk and heavy-lift ports: Port of Felixstowe, Port of Southampton, Port of Immingham, Port of Liverpool. |
Published sailings to United Kingdom
2 carrier services in our trade lane guides call in United Kingdom. Each row links to the carrier schedule it was read from; transit is from the U.S. load port to the port named.
What the U.S. ships to United Kingdom
U.S. exports to United Kingdom by machine class, 2025 against 2024, as reported by the United States to UN Comtrade[1]. Units are as declared; the average is customs value divided by units.
| Machine class | Units 2025 | Units 2024 | Change in units | Value 2025 | Average per unit[1] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wheeled tractors | 478 | 400 | +20% | $35.4 million | $74 thousand |
| Forklifts and telehandlers | 461 | 228 | +102% | $28.6 million | $62.1 thousand |
| Crawler tractors | 193 | 80 | +141% | $16.9 million | $87.8 thousand |
| Diesel generator sets | 29 | 34 | −15% | $15.3 million | $528 thousand |
| Self-propelled drill rigs | 119 | 60 | +98% | $14.1 million | $118 thousand |
| Off-highway dump trucks | 35 | 20 | +75% | $9.9 million | $283 thousand |
| Wheel loaders | 110 | 233 | −53% | $8.89 million | $80.8 thousand |
| Crawler dozers | 57 | 42 | +36% | $5.54 million | $97.2 thousand |
| Combine harvesters | 15 | 19 | −21% | $5 million | $334 thousand |
| Motor graders | 21 | 14 | +50% | $2.5 million | $119 thousand |
| Crushers | 27 | 28 | −4% | $1.79 million | $66.3 thousand |
| Backhoes and other excavating machines | 28 | 25 | +12% | $861 thousand | $30.8 thousand |
| Truck-mounted cranes | 1 | 3 | −67% | $275 thousand | $275 thousand |
| Excavators | 7 | 10 | −30% | $213 thousand | $30.5 thousand |
| Crawler and rough-terrain cranes | 0 | 7 | – | $0 | – |
A dash means the quantity was not reported for that year. Classes the U.S. did not ship here in either year are left out.
Import duty on machinery in United Kingdom
The most-favoured-nation (MFN) duty applied to each machine class, as a simple average of the national tariff lines under its HS subheading[3]. Preferential rates under trade agreements can be lower.
| Machine class | HS subheading | MFN applied duty | Range across lines | Tariff year[3] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excavators | 8429.52 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Wheel loaders | 8429.51 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Crawler dozers | 8429.11 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Motor graders | 8429.20 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Backhoes and other excavating machines | 8429.59 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Crawler and rough-terrain cranes | 8426.41 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Forklifts and telehandlers | 8427.20 | 4% | – | 2023 |
| Off-highway dump trucks | 8704.10 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Wheeled tractors | 8701.93 | 3% | 0–6% | 2023 |
| Crawler tractors | 8701.30 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Combine harvesters | 8433.51 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Self-propelled drill rigs | 8430.41 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Crushers | 8474.20 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Diesel generator sets | 8502.13 | 0% | – | 2023 |
| Truck-mounted cranes | 8705.10 | 0% | – | 2023 |
The range shows the lowest and highest line within the subheading; a dash means every line has the same rate.
Worked example: a $100,000 excavator
Import duty: 0% of $100,000 CIF is $0 (HS 8429.52, 2023 tariff)[3].
Import VAT: 20% of the duty-inclusive $100,000 is $20,000 (HMRC, checked June 2026)
Total duty and tax: $20,000, or 20% of CIF.
- Excise, port charges, broker fees and any registration tax are extra. The final rate depends on the exact tariff line your broker declares.
Vehicles and other taxes
Post-Brexit, the UK assesses customs duty and 20% import VAT on the landed value. Imports must be declared to HMRC via NOVA within 14 days, and most US-spec vehicles need an IVA test before DVLA registration.
Source: HMRC / DVLA (GOV.UK), checked June 2026.
- Import duty: ~10% of landed value for cars (some commercial/pickups ~22%)
- VAT: Import VAT 20% (on value + shipping + duty)
- Other charges: Vehicles over 30 years old may qualify for reduced VAT; first registration fee and Vehicle Excise Duty apply at the DVLA
- Age limits: No age limit, but a Notification of Vehicle Arrivals (NOVA) must be filed with HMRC within 14 days, and most US-specification vehicles require an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) test before the DVLA will register them.
Documents for United Kingdom
The papers a machinery shipment to United Kingdom usually needs at destination. Your consignee and their customs broker confirm the list for the exact cargo.
- Commercial Invoice
- Packing List
- Bill of Lading
- Certificate of Origin
- UKCA Declaration (if applicable)
- Import License (certain goods)
- Equipment Specifications
U.S. export rules
What every shipment from the U.S. has to clear before it sails, whatever the destination.
- Electronic Export Information (15 CFR 30)U.S. Census Bureau
Electronic Export Information is filed in AES for each Schedule B number worth more than $2,500 going to one consignee on one conveyance, and for every vehicle whatever its value. For vessel cargo it is due at least 24 hours before loading; the Internal Transaction Number (ITN) goes to the carrier with the booking.[5][6]
Applies to: Any Schedule B line over $2,500, and every vehicle
- Used self-propelled vehicles: 72-hour ruleU.S. Customs and Border Protection
U.S. regulations count self-propelled construction and agricultural machinery as vehicles. A used one must be filed in AES at least 72 hours before export, whatever its value or destination, and the ITN, the VIN or serial number and the ownership documents go to CBP at the port of export. Filing after departure is not allowed.[7][8][6]
Applies to: Used machines that drive: excavators, loaders, dozers, tractors, trucks
- ISPM 15 wood packagingIPPC, administered in the U.S. by USDA APHIS
Wood packaging and dunnage must be heat-treated to a core temperature of 56 °C for at least 30 minutes, or fumigated, and carry the IPPC mark with the US country code, the facility number and HT or MB. Marked wood can be reused; repaired or remanufactured wood must be treated and marked again.[9]
Applies to: Crates, skids, blocking and dunnage
- Export classification under the EAR (ECCN or EAR99)BIS (U.S. Department of Commerce)
An item subject to the EAR is either listed on the Commerce Control List under an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) or classified EAR99, the basket for items not listed. The ECCN’s reasons for control, read against the Commerce Country Chart, decide whether the destination needs a license. An EAR99 item rarely needs one, but no item, EAR99 included, may go to a person under a denial order or to a prohibited end use or end user without BIS authorization.[10][11][12]
Applies to: Every export of goods subject to the Export Administration Regulations
Clearance notes for United Kingdom
Southampton/Felixstowe peak-season congestion and winter weather can affect sailing schedules.
- File NOVA within 14 days of arrival — the DVLA will not register the vehicle until NOVA is processed and tax/duty paid.
- Budget for the IVA test and any modifications needed for US-spec vehicles to meet UK standards.
- The NOVA + IVA + DVLA sequence must be completed in order before the vehicle can legally be driven.
- Commercial classification (e.g. some pickups) can push duty to ~22% — confirm the tariff class.
Questions buyers ask
How much heavy equipment does the U.S. ship to United Kingdom?
U.S. exporters reported 1,581 machines worth $145 million to United Kingdom in 2025 across 15 machine classes, up 31% on 2024. The largest class by value was wheeled tractors, at $35.4 million. Figures are U.S. export declarations reported to UN Comtrade.
How long does shipping from the U.S. to United Kingdom take?
The fastest sailing in the carrier schedules we track is Grimaldi (MED/USA/MEX) from Baltimore to Southampton: 9–12 days. We track 2 published services calling here; inland delivery and customs clearance come on top.
Can I ship machinery to United Kingdom by RoRo?
RoRo service: Regular from the East and Gulf Coast, none from the West Coast. RoRo suits machines that drive or tow on board. Ports that take RoRo cargo: Port of Felixstowe, Port of Southampton, Port of Immingham. Where RoRo does not run, machines ship on flat racks or as breakbulk.
What duty and VAT apply to a used excavator in United Kingdom?
The MFN duty on excavators averages 0% of CIF, and Import VAT is 20% on the duty-inclusive value. On a $100,000 CIF excavator that comes to $20,000 before excise, port and broker charges.
Which documents do I need to ship to United Kingdom?
A shipment to United Kingdom usually needs: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, UKCA Declaration (if applicable), Import License (certain goods), Equipment Specifications. From the U.S., the export filing (EEI) goes in before loading, and titled machines need their title at the port 72 hours before export.
Export checklist (PDF)
A one-page checklist with the facts on this page for shipping United Kingdom: methods, duty, rules and documents. Give it to your customs broker.
Download the checklistSources
Every figure on this page comes from the documents below, each checked on the date shown. Carriers and authorities revise them, so we confirm the current figure when we book.
- [1]World Bank WITS, UN Comtrade: exports reported by the United States, checked October 18, 2026
- [2]Grimaldi Lines, MED/USA/MEX Service schedule (published 16 Oct 2026), checked October 18, 2026
- [3]UNCTAD TRAINS via World Bank WITS: MFN applied tariff, checked October 18, 2026
- [4]Atlantic Container Line, Baltimore: A Service schedule and transit times, checked October 18, 2026
- [5]eCFR, 15 CFR 30.37 Miscellaneous exemptions (Foreign Trade Regulations), checked October 18, 2026
- [6]U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Regulations FAQs, checked October 18, 2026
- [7]eCFR, 19 CFR 192.1 Definitions (used self-propelled vehicles), checked October 18, 2026
- [8]U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Exporting used self-propelled vehicles, checked October 18, 2026
- [9]USDA APHIS, Export ISPM 15-compliant wood packaging material, checked October 18, 2026
- [10]eCFR, 15 CFR 734.3 Items subject to the EAR (EAR99), checked October 18, 2026
- [11]eCFR, 15 CFR 738.4 Determining whether a license is required, checked October 18, 2026
- [12]eCFR, 15 CFR 732.3 Steps regarding the ten general prohibitions, checked October 18, 2026
Send us the machine and the destination
Give us the model or the measured dimensions and weight. We come back with the method, the sailing and a price, and the figures behind them.