What It Really Takes to Import Antiques From England

When people see an antique pine cupboard sitting in our warehouse in Oregon, it can be easy to forget the journey that piece has taken to get there.

Every piece we import from England travels thousands of miles before it ever reaches its new home. What starts as a quiet find in the English countryside eventually becomes a centerpiece in someone’s dining room, kitchen, or living space here in the United States.

The process is long, complicated, and sometimes unpredictable—but it’s also one of the most exciting parts of what we do at Miles Mercantile.

Finding the Right Pieces

Not every antique we come across makes it into a container.

When we source in England, we’re constantly looking for pieces that feel special—furniture with beautiful age, character, and craftsmanship. Many of the pieces we find come from estates, antique dealers, or small shops tucked throughout the English countryside.

Some pieces immediately stand out. Others take a moment to appreciate. But every item we choose has to meet the same standard: it has to feel like something that could live in a home for another hundred years.

Preparing the Furniture for the Journey

Before any piece ever leaves England, it goes through a careful process.

Our woodworkers inspect and repair each item to make sure it’s ready for the long journey ahead. Antique furniture is over a hundred years old in many cases, so small repairs, tightening joints, or stabilizing panels is often part of preparing the piece for travel.

The goal is never to make the furniture look new—it’s simply to preserve the integrity of the piece so it can safely make the trip overseas.

Packing the Container

Once enough pieces have been sourced, the container packing begins.

Every item is carefully wrapped, padded, and arranged inside a shipping container. Pine cupboards, tables, wardrobes, and dressers are all packed together like a giant puzzle. The goal is to keep everything secure while making the most of the container space.

When the container doors close, the furniture begins its long trip across the Atlantic.

The Journey Across the Ocean

From England, the container travels by ship across the ocean before eventually making its way to the United States.

The entire journey can take weeks. During that time, every piece is sealed inside the container, waiting to be opened again on the other side of the world.

For us, this part always requires patience.

Unwrapping the Container

One of our favorite days is container arrival day.

When the container finally reaches our warehouse, it feels a little like Christmas morning. Each piece is unwrapped one by one, revealing furniture we may not have seen in months.

This is when we’re reminded why we fell in love with the pieces in the first place.

The patina, the scale, the craftsmanship—it all feels even more special after traveling over 5,000 miles.

A New Chapter

The most meaningful part of the journey happens next.

Once the furniture arrives at our warehouse, these antiques begin their next chapter in homes across the country. Some stay nearby in Oregon, while others travel to places like Minnesota, Alabama, California, and beyond.

Pieces that once lived quietly in English homes now become part of new stories—new kitchens, dining rooms, and spaces filled with everyday life.

And that, to us, is the most special part of what we do.

MM