Average Cost Of Moving Internationally: How To Estimate Overseas Shipping (2024)

I've lived in over ten countries. I wish changing countries were as cheap as paying for a flight. However, international moving costs are more than a plane ticket; your expenses can include moving services, visa and immigration fees, temporary housing, expat health insurance, and potentially storage.

The average cost of international moving is approximately $1000 to $10,000 USD. Thought actual moving expenses vary depending on the distance, the number of boxes moved, the size of furniture (if any), and any additional services required. A complex move with large furniture pieces that require custom crating services may need a video or in-home survey for an accurate price estimate.

Other Guides On Moving Overseas

Depending on how you categorize expenses, the average cost to move to another country can be $1000 - $10,000+. On the low-end, an international move is as cheap as a one-way flight ticket. On the high-end are corporate international relocation packages, where your company pays all the costs to move you abroad.

A rule of thumb used by professional relocation companies is the cost of moving a renter overseas is in the low to mid-$20,000s. While the averagecost of moving internationallyfor a homeowner is between $60,000 and $80,000.

However, a complete relocation package paid by an employer contains several costs (such asHome purchase and sale assistance orOverseas employment tax subsidies)that may not apply to you moving yourself to a new country.

Unsurprisingly, the exact cost to move abroad varies dramatically on circ*mstances. Prices depend on the country and the city you are moving to, relocation distance, the number of belongings you want to take with you, and how much of the effort to move overseas you want to outsource vs. do-it-yourself.

The cost of shipping household goods internationally is only one factor. While your biggest expense is usually shipping your belongings overseas, when moving internationally, there are a lot of other factors to consider.

The average cost of an international move is highly dependent on distance, destination, and service level.

The cost to ship your household goods overseas tends to be the largest expense. International shipping costs vary based on the distance of the move, the size of the shipment, the type of shipping service used, and any additional insurance coverage.

To give you a basic cost benchmark, here is the average price of a moving a house from the US to an international destination.

There are a few ways to reduce the cost of moving internationally.

• Reduce short-term accommodation costs by finding a place to live before you move. Housing prices are always cheaper when you sign an extended contract.
• Sell as many of your possessions as you can before you move.
• Rent a large garbage bin and ruthlessly trash any unwanted items that are not in a condition to sell or donate.
• Compare the cost of an international shipment to the storage costs of your possessions.
• DIY packing and unpacking your belongings into moving boxes can help save on labor costs.
• Use Port-to-Port basic service and drive your shipment to the nearest port. If you don't live near a coastal shipping port, a full-service moving company must truck your shipping container to the nearest port. Drive the container yourself to reduce the overall cost of your move.
• Shipping your belongings via sea freight is usually the cheapest option (see tip below for exception to the rule)

If you use one of my accredited moving partners, they will supply the required professional packing materials to transport your belongings safely. However, if you plan on packing your household goods yourself, quality packing materials are essential. Download this checklist of packing materials for you to buy xxx. The checklist includes:

• Standard Boxes (43×41×60cm), Flat Clothing Boxes (92×51×34cm), and Extra Secure Double Layered Boxes (For china, flatware, and glass items)
• 20mm Three-tier bubble wrap (1500mm width×100m long) Shock protection for delicate items like picture frames or other specialty items
• White Wrapping Papers (510×760mm)- for wrapping your stemware, dishes, and glasses
• 7Brown Tape (48×75mm); Provides a stronghold and tight seal

Note that moving companies are not liable for damage to your shipment if you decide to pack your household goods yourself. To avoid any damage or loss, use an accredited full-service moving company.

• Full Container Load (FCL)-You get your own 20 foot, 40 foot, or 40-foot high cube container. If you properly box up your belongings and wrap fragile items before shipping, containers ensure your belongings are safe and secure and avoid any damage or loss during transport.
• Less than Container Load (LCL)-One way to save money on shipping is by using LCL instead of FCL. Less than Container Load shipments are when you don't have enough stuff to warrant your own shipping container. The shipper adds multiple customers' smaller shipments together to reduce the overall cost of shipping per customer.
• Door-to-Door Service (D2D)– One of four types of moves. Also known as house-to-house service, when your belongs are shipped from your old home to your new home.
• Port to Port Service (P2P) - The middle part of an international move. Specifically, Port-to-Port transportation covers only the ocean transportation from port of loading (also referred to as port of origin) to the port of discharge (or destination port).
• Port to Door Service (P2D) -An alternative transportation service, where delivery is from Port /Freight Terminal to your new home. Door to Port (D2P)is the inverse, where you would need to arrange the final transportation or storage for your shipment from the arrival port in your new country.
• Ocean freight– When a cargo ship transports your goods via sea routes. This shipping method is the most common and cheapest method for international moves.
• Customs duty– A tax imposed when importing your shipment into a foreign country.
• Duty-free– When items you bring into the country are exempt from customs duty