Moving to a different country is a huge transition that impacts almost every aspect of one’s life. It can be enormously stressful and logistically complicated, especially if you’ve never done a big move before. This article serves as an in-depth guide to moving abroad and includes expert tips from moving-industry pros and experienced globetrotters.
The guidance in this article assumes you already know where you’re moving, why you’re moving there and how you’ll navigate the ins and outs of immigration, work visas and residency permits. Rather than diving into the legal side of international relocation, this article focuses on the practical side of moving your belongings to a different country.
International moving costs: What to expect
Moving to a different country is costly, but how much you'll spend varies significantly depending on where you’re going, how much you’re bringing and whether you’re going alone or relocating with your whole family.
Regardless, “the biggest expense of an international move is shipping,” said Bryan Hoffman of UNITS Moving and Portable Storage . The cost of shipping your belongings to a different country “can range anywhere from $4,000 to $12,000 for an average household,” Hoffman told Yahoo Local, but this depends largely on distance and inventory size.
According to Allied Van Lines , a global relocation company, the cost of shipping your belongings abroad “can vary from $1,500 to $18,000 or more.” Average costs for moving from the U.S. to Europe range from $3,500 to $17,000, while moving to Canada may only cost between $3,000 and $5,000.
However, shipping costs are just the beginning. “You’ll also need to consider packing services,” Hoffman said, “which usually run 10% to 15% of the shipping cost.” Hoffman also cited insurance, “which protects your goods while in transit and typically costs about 2% to 3% of your shipment’s declared value.” Movers should also consider destination charges for things like port handling, customs clearance and local delivery. “These charges can add several hundred to over a thousand dollars, depending on the country,” Hoffman said.
Jackie Stouffer, the vice president of international services at JK Moving Services , agrees, adding that “customers should anticipate customs fees, insurance, destination delivery charges and temporary storage.” You’ll also be paying for things like fuel or airfare, visa and permit applications, renting or purchasing new property, import taxes for vehicles, furnishing your new home, etc. With these factors combined, it’s safe to assume you could spend upwards of $20,000 for an overseas move, while shorter-distance moves may be less expensive.
International moving checklist
For many people, moving abroad is one of the most significant life transitions they’ll ever experience. It’s not for the faint of heart, and it requires significant planning to pull off, especially if you’re moving with pets, kids or a household full of belongings. To reduce stress and snags along the way, these steps will help you put together a comprehensive international moving plan.
Start planning your international move far in advance
Unless you’re moving with a backpack, a one-way ticket and a dream, moving abroad shouldn’t be approached spontaneously. You’ll want to give yourself as much time to plan your move as possible. “International moves run on a different clock and rulebook,” said Kevin Munroe, the director of strategic growth at California New York Express Moving . “Think months, not weeks.”
Nearly every moving expert we spoke with recommends giving yourself roughly three to six months to plan your international move, after you have your visa and residency pathway secured. This “gives you time to research and compare international movers, collect multiple quotes and prepare the required customs paperwork,” said Hoffman. Plus, “shipping schedules, especially by sea, can fill up months in advance, and delays are common around holidays or peak seasons,” he said. If you’re still working on getting a visa or residency permit, prepare for the moving process to take even longer.
Planning ahead will also give you plenty of time to budget costs, save money and find housing in your new country. While you’re at it, consider getting a head start on things like language skills (if necessary) and researching the culture and customs where you’re moving.
Decide how you’ll move (by land, by air, with or without movers, etc.)
There are three main ways to transport your belongings from one country to another — “by air, by land or by sea,” said Bill Mulholland, an international moving expert and the founder of Agoyu , an AI-powered moving platform. “Air transport is fast but expensive, while sea freight is the most common and cost-effective option for larger shipments.” Of course, if you’re moving overseas, ground transportation won’t be an option, but it can be a great, cost-effective method for shorter international moves.
“The right choice depends on how far you’re going, how much you’re moving and how quickly you need your belongings,” Mulholland explained. If time is of the essence, it may be worth paying extra for air freight, but be prepared for significant costs. “Generally speaking, speed costs money, so if you can be flexible with timing, you’ll save,” Mulholland said.
Next, decide whether you want to work with an established international moving company or handle the move on your own. For continental moves (to Canada or Mexico, for example), you can easily drive your own belongings from point A to point B; but if you’re moving overseas, you’ll most likely need to hire a relocation company. Trying to DIY an overseas move will be tough, as you’ll have to deal with all the import logistics on your own. (See our guide to DIY moving for more.)
That said, some people opt for extreme downsizing ahead of overseas moves so that they don’t have to deal with the costs and logistics of shipping a whole household of stuff. If this idea appeals to you, you’ll need to dedicate extra time to the downsizing process and invest in a few large suitcases for transporting the items you decide to keep.
Start downsizing and packing early
Minimizing your stuff is one of the best ways to minimize moving costs. This way, you won’t be paying to move things you don’t want or need.
According to Munroe, “pricing is volume driven” for international moves, rather than weight driven, so reducing the bulk of your shipment can be a big help to your budget. If you plan to ship large items like furniture, this can become costly fast.
“In some of my experiences, I have found it cheaper to just buy new furniture at my destination, versus bringing it all with me,” said Sarah Pardi, a travel expert at Insurte , a travel insurance company. Pardi said renting a furnished apartment was the most cost-effective option for her U.S.-to-France move.
If you plan on downsizing significantly, start this process early to give yourself time to sort through everything. Downsizing can also be an emotional process, so giving yourself extra time will help it feel less jarring. Check out these five essential tips for downsizing and decluttering for help.
Put together a detailed moving inventory
A moving inventory is basically a detailed list of all the belongings you plan to pack and move. While creating a comprehensive list of all your stuff may seem daunting, it’s a crucial part of planning a successful international move.
If you work with an experienced international moving company, they may be able to help you create your inventory. Either way, make sure it’s complete and accurate. If you have an incomplete moving inventory, this can cause issues at customs, Mulholland told Yahoo Local, and you might get stuck paying for something called “demurrage” (or storage fees) while your shipment is inspected. “While this cost is largely outside your control (and in the hands of customs at the destination country), it can often be avoided with accurate paperwork and a detailed inventory of your belongings,” said Mulholland.
For help, see our guide to creating a moving inventory .
Find a trusted international moving company to work with
One of the most important parts of planning an international move is finding a trustworthy and experienced moving company. There are far more logistics and potential complications involved in international moves than domestic moves, so it’s crucial to hire a company that really knows the ropes.
Recommended reading from Yahoo: Why you should hire a moving company with international expertise
“Choose experience and transparency first,” said Mulholland. “Find a mover that’s handled international relocations before and can clearly explain customs, timelines and any potential fees.” He also said customers should “ask questions about insurance, delivery times and communication” upfront, so they know what to expect from start to finish.
Stouffer and Hoffman both recommend looking for companies with international moving certifications. For moves to Europe, Stouffer said it’s best to look for moving companies accredited by the Fédération Internationale des Déménageurs Internationaux (FIDI, or the International Federation of International Movers). FIDI is a Belgium-based global alliance of international moving and relocation companies, and its approved movers are known as FIDI Accredited International Movers (FAIM) . Other trusted international accreditations come from the International Association of Movers (IAM) and the British Association of Removers (BAR).
International Van Lines is a FAIM-certified moving company, featured in our Yahoo Local guide to the best long-distance movers .
Hoffman also recommends looking for companies that offer transparent, itemized pricing, in-house customs expertise and insurance coverage. Reputable movers will “help you catalog your inventory for protection,” he said, adding that you should “make sure your moving company provides you with a single point of contact who oversees your move from packing through final delivery.” Finally, Hoffman advises customers to “avoid companies offering flat-rate ‘international shipping deals’ without inspecting your items or specifying destination costs.” These “deals” should be seen as red flags, he said.
As with any move, you’ll also want to read plenty of online reviews, check the company’s licensing records and review Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation and complaints . Finally, make sure to get at least three quotes from different moving companies before deciding who to work with. This will help you get a competitive price and plan your budget accordingly.
Book your move dates wisely
Once you know which moving company you want to work with, book your move dates as early as possible. Moving companies tend to book up fast, especially during popular seasons like spring and summer. If you wait too long, you might have to adjust your timeline, which could complicate things with work or school schedules.
On that note, try to plan your move around work and school if possible, so you’re not moving during the school year or trying to squeeze an international relocation in over a long weekend. If you have the option, take some time off around your move to give yourself and your family plenty of time to make the transition and settle into your new home.
Make a plan for transporting vehicles
One of the biggest complications of international moves is the question of what to do with your vehicles. If you’re moving within the same continent, you can of course take them with you pretty easily. However, if you’re moving overseas, things get a lot trickier.
“Unless it’s a vintage [or] collector car, buying or leasing locally is usually cheaper than trying to ship your vehicle,” said Cecile Gallet, founder and CEO of Haven in France , an international relocation company.
Importing a vehicle from overseas (even a used vehicle) requires steep import taxes, and you’ll also have to pay for the cost of shipping. For example, the average cost of shipping a vehicle overseas ranges from $900 to over $2,000 per car, according to West Coast Shipping , a large U.S.-based vehicle shipping company. Then, there are the taxes. In France, for example, imported vehicles are subject to a 10% import tax, plus a 20% value added tax (VAT), according to West Coast Shipping .
That said, if keeping your vehicle is important to you, many international moving companies offer specialty vehicle shipping services.
Set your international moving budget, and start saving ASAP
Once you’ve sourced a few quotes from international movers and considered the fate of your vehicles, you’ll have a pretty good idea of how much you’ll spend on the basics of your move. But your international moving budget will involve more than just shipping costs.
“My clients are almost always surprised by the real cost of moving abroad,” said Gallet, citing things like import costs, international health insurance and pet relocation expenses as some of the sneakier costs some movers might overlook.
To save yourself from any unpleasant surprises down the road, sit down and make a detailed list of all the expenses you’ll need to cover during your move. This should include everything from moving boxes and supplies to shipping costs, airfare, pet travel expenses and health insurance.
Once you have a realistic understanding of how much you’ll be spending on your move, start saving ASAP.
Make peace with having to let go of some things
For shorter international moves that don’t require crossing an ocean, you can probably get away with keeping most of your belongings. But when you’re moving across an ocean, fragile things like plants, clocks and pianos aren’t very practical to ship.
Recommended reading from Yahoo Local: How to safely move plants to your new home
As you prepare for your international move, take time to make peace with the fact that not everything will be able to come along. To soften the blow, consider passing on cherished items to friends or family members or donating useful items to a charitable organization. Letting go of clothing, vehicles, plants and antiques can be tough, but remember that you can start collecting new belongings, and making new memories, in your new home.
Print hard copies of all important documents and records
Before leaving the country, get all your paperwork in order. In addition to basic things like passports and drivers licenses, print hard copies of all immigration documents like visas, work permits and residency permits. You should also get certified copies of your birth certificate, education records and degrees, medical records, marriage and divorce records, and any other official document you might need while abroad.
Gallet also recommends getting certified translations of all your documents if you anticipate any language barriers.
Make a plan for your pets
Safely transporting pets is one of the most complicated parts of moving to a different country. Depending on your mode of transport, you’ll need to make a special plan for driving or flying with your pets, which can be tricky and expensive.
Pardi recommends getting your pet’s paperwork in order ahead of time, planning pre-travel veterinary visits and budgeting for pet-related travel expenses. “In all transparency, moving my two cats and doing all of the work required for them to legally arrive in France cost over $2,000,” Pardi told Yahoo Local.
See our in-depth guide to moving long distances with pets for additional help.
Pack wisely, and prepare to wait for your belongings
Depending on how far you’re moving, you may have to wait weeks or even months to receive your belongings in your destination country. “Transit times are also much longer” with international moves, said Hoffman. “While a domestic move might take a few days, international shipments by sea can take anywhere from six to 12 weeks door to door.”
For this reason, it’s important to pack wisely and prepare to live sparsely for the first few weeks in your new home. Pack things you know you won’t want to live without in suitcases that you can check on the plane or transport in your own vehicle. Things like medications, important paperwork and small valuables should not be handed over to your movers.
Shipping some items through the mail can also be helpful. Gallet recommends sending a small “survival kit” to your new address before you leave, so you have your essentials as soon as you arrive. Even if your belongings are being driven to your new home, international shipments can still take a while depending on the company you work with.
For help with packing, check out these 10 essential packing tips .
Prepare for the emotional and physical toll of moving abroad
One thing that’s easy to overlook with a big move is the toll it will inevitably take on your emotional and physical health. Moving is widely regarded as one of the most stressful life events (up there with death and divorce), so it’s important to give yourself and your family time to adjust.
As you tackle your move, don’t let the basics of self-care fall to the wayside. Things like sleep and good nutrition are especially important to maintain as you navigate a big life transition. For support, see our guides to managing moving anxiety and moving stress .
How to save money on an international move
Considering the high cost of moving abroad, you may need to get creative to keep your expenses in check.
Here’s how to make moving abroad as affordable as possible, based on the expert advice in this article:
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Downsizing is key– Move with as few items as possible to keep moving costs down.
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Leave large items behind– Things like furniture and vehicles significantly increase the cost of an international move, so it’s best to leave these things behind if possible.
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Get quotes from at least three moving companies– Sourcing multiple quotes will allow you to choose a mover with a competitive rate that fits your budget.
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Choose a cheaper transport method– Ocean freight is generally considered the most cost-effective way to move overseas, while air freight is the most expensive. Ground transportation is also a great cost-effective option for shorter-distance moves.
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Move during off-peak season– Find out when the most affordable time to move is for your route, and book during that window if possible. Moving in winter is often less expensive than moving in summer , for example.
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Choose shared-container shipping– Ideal for smaller shipments or for those who aren’t on a tight schedule, less than container load (LCL) shipments help you save money by combining shipments with other customers in one container. Keep in mind, though, that delivery times will be longer, as the container will not ship until it is full and ready to sail, according to Hoffman.
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DIY as much of your move as possible –Depending on the details of your move, there may be some steps you can handle yourself, like packing or renting your own moving truck.
Moving abroad? Plan ahead and hire an international mover
Unlike moving to a different neighborhood or city, moving to a different country is a huge undertaking requiring months of planning and thousands of dollars in moving expenses. The best way to make your international move as successful as possible is to start planning at least three months ahead.
Working with an experienced and qualified moving company is essential when moving overseas, as your movers can handle the complex import and customs process on your behalf. Shorter-distance moves — between the U.S. and Canada, for example — are a bit easier, as you can drive your belongings from point A to point B. But you'll still need to deal with imports and customs any time you cross an international border.
Regardless of how you approach your move abroad, be prepared to spend a significant sum, and never underestimate the importance of working with a reliable mover. Many of the moving companies featured by Yahoo Local offer international moving services, including several of the companies listed below.
More Yahoo Local-approved U.S. movers
Best California movers
Bakersfield / Fremont / Fresno / Irvine / Los Angeles / Oakland / Sacramento / San Diego / San Francisco / San Jose / Santa Rosa
Best Florida movers
Boca Raton / Fort Lauderdale / Fort Myers / Gainesville / Jacksonville / Melbourne / Miami / Naples / Ocala / Orlando / Sarasota / St. Petersburg / Tallahassee / Tampa / West Palm Beach
Best New York movers
Albany / Binghamton / The Bronx / Brooklyn / Buffalo / Clifton Park / Hamburg / Ithaca / Kingston / Manhattan / New Rochelle / Poughkeepsie / Queens / Rochester / Syracuse
Best Texas movers
Arlington / Austin / Corpus Christi / Dallas / Denton / El Paso / Fort Worth / Houston / Midland / Plano / Round Rock / San Antonio / The Woodlands
