When you’re moving overseas, you need to know when your belongings are likely to arrive. At the moment, that date can be harder to predict than usual.
The British Association of Removers (BAR) has issued an update on shipping conditions affecting the international moving industry. It describes delays and changes caused by shipping lines, ports and container availability. These issues can affect shipments handled by moving companies across the industry, including John Mason International.
A transit time is an estimate, not a promise
The BAR update gives the example of a Southampton to Sydney sailing taking between 56 and 89 days, depending on the vessel. That is an illustration of how much timings can vary on one route. It is not a standard estimate for every shipment to Australia.
That figure also relates to the sailing itself. Your full move involves other stages, including collection, export handling, the sea journey, customs clearance and delivery. The time for each stage depends on your shipment and destination.
Containers can also miss their planned sailing and be moved to a later vessel. Congestion at transhipment ports may add further delays. For these reasons, an advertised or quoted sailing time should not be treated as a guaranteed delivery date.
What is affecting shipments?
The BAR update reports several pressures on shipping schedules:
- Demand for space on ships from Europe to North America is exceeding available capacity.
- Congestion at some ports in Europe and Asia is delaying connecting services.
- Many eastbound routes are taking longer because ships are travelling around the Cape of Good Hope.
- Shortages of 20-foot containers in the UK, or containers arriving in unsuitable condition, can delay loading.
The situation can vary by destination, carrier and sailing. Conditions may also change after a quotation is prepared.
What should your moving company explain?
Before you book, ask what the estimated transit time covers. Is it the time at sea, the journey between ports, or the expected time from collection to delivery? Ask what could cause a delay on your route and when you should expect an update if the schedule changes.
At John Mason International, we’ll explain the current timing for your route, what that estimate includes and any important uncertainties we know about. If the shipping line changes the service or schedule, we’ll update you and discuss what that means for your move.
No moving company can control a shipping line’s schedule. But you should be able to get a clear explanation of the estimate and straightforward communication when plans change.
Could the cost change too?
It can. The BAR update says carriers may introduce fuel, war-risk or operational surcharges at short notice. Currency movements can also affect some freight charges. Your quotation should explain which costs are included and whether any charges may change.
Planning your move
If you have a fixed date to leave your home or need your belongings by a particular time, tell us as early as possible. We can discuss the timing for your route and whether storage or other arrangements may be worth considering if a shipment is delayed.
The most useful thing you can do is plan ahead, understand what your transit estimate means and ask questions before you book.
This article reflects the BAR Global Shipping Conditions update dated 1 October 2026. Shipping conditions vary by route and may change. We’ll discuss the latest information available for your shipment when preparing your moving plan.