Super Simple Guide: How to Ship Your Stuff Moving Abroad in 2024

You’re moving abroad! Congratulations, but also, I know the stress you’re under right now. 

I’ve moved abroad twice and I’ve learned exactly how to (and how not to) ship your stuff moving abroad. 

This is one of the more stressful aspects of relocating internationally, so I’ve put together this simple guide for you, including pricing and timelines. 

If it’s your first time moving abroad, read on to find out exactly how the process works. 

This post details how to move your stuff. To see what to pack, check out my moving abroad packing checklist.

Shipping Household Goods Overseas: 3 Main Methods 

International moving companies usually use one of 3 methods for getting your things to your new country. 

1. Air Shipment 

An air shipment – or “air cargo” or “air freight”- is when you purchase an amount of space on a plane. This is usually calculated by cubic feet in a pre-built container. 

• Timeline: 3-6 weeks 
• Cost: Most expensive 
• Pros: Get your stuff fast. 
• Cons: It’s very expensive, and you can’t generally put furniture in an air shipment.  

2. Sea Shipment 

A sea shipment – aka “sea cargo” or “sea freight” is when you purchase a whole or part of a shipping container (those big metal boxes you see in ports) to put your things in for moving. 

• Timeline: 12 weeks-18 weeks 
• Cost: Pricey, but cheaper than air shipments.  
• Pros: Cheapest method for shipping furniture overseas. Good for families or people with lots of stuff.
• Cons: Sea shipments take a long time, and are more likely to get delayed than air shipments. 

3. Air & Sea Combo

What lots of people choose to do is go with an air and sea combo, where they ship things they’ll need sooner (like clothing and kitchenware) in a smaller air shipment, and ship larger things (like furniture) in a sea shipment that will arrive later. 

This is a great option for families who may have more stuff, and need more things for themselves and children sooner.

It’s also nice if you’ll be in temporary accommodation for your first month or so – you can get the things you need most at your temporary home, then your bigger things once you find your permanent home.

• Timeline: Air shipment: 3-6 weeks. Sea shipment: 12-18 weeks 
• Cost: Sometimes the most cost-effective for the timeline.  
• Pros: You’ll save a bit of money, and get things you need sooner ASAP. 
• Cons: It’s still expensive, and sea shipments can get delayed. 

Moving & Shipping Personal Items: Alternative Methods 

There’s a few other ways of getting small shipments overseas. The first could potentially save you big money, but sometimes not. 

1. Pack Big Suitcases 

Sometimes the extra baggage fees for many airlines are way cheaper than shipping anything via movers. Usually you can’t do your whole move like this, but you can get away with paying for a few extra bags and shipping less via air or sea.

If you’re moving abroad as a student or single person without that much stuff, you can contact the airline and see what their extra baggage fees and maximum bag policies are.

You might be able to get away with moving all your stuff like this if you don’t have things like kitchen equipment, decor, etc. 

2. Shipping Personal Items by Post 

I don’t recommend this method – shipping individual boxes it can be much more expensive than using a moving company.

But if you need to send something small that you forgot to pack up, you can always post it to your destination, or send via a service like FedEx, UPS, or local mail companies. Make sure it’s insured. 

3. Ship Using a Shipping Service

There are several international baggage & box shipping services available, depending on where you live and where you’re moving to.

In most large countries you can use services like My Baggage, Send My Bag, or Get My Parcel.

This is definitely cheaper than regular post, and a favorite of expats doing smaller moves or shipping extra belongings.

How do you Choose a Method to Ship Personal Belongings Internationally? 

Here’s the basic formula: 

1. Assess what you need to move, and when you’ll need it. Remember, it may be cheaper to buy new things at your destination than ship the things you already own. 
2. Research your destination: will your furniture fit? Will your electronics work? This can help pare down what you’ll bring and save unnecessary costs. 
3. Get Quotes for Everything. Once you see the numbers, that by itself may determine your shipping method. Post-Covid, shipping prices are returning to normal, but the cost may still shock you.

Choosing the Right Moving Company for Shipping Household Goods Overseas

Get at least 3 quotes well ahead of time. Movers will need to be booked at least 3 months out – sometimes more. 

Ask the following questions about the company: 

1. What’s the insurance policy like? Will they replace the full value or the depreciated value if your stuff gets lost or damaged? 
2. What are the extra fees? Sometimes you’ll have to pay for storage at either end of the journey – see if this can be minimized with good scheduling. 
3. Do they pack for you? Be wary of companies that don’t – usually (but not always) the company must pack the belongings themselves in order for it to be properly insured and declared in customs. 
4. What do they do about delayed timelines? Will they help you track down your shipment? What about covering storage costs if things are delayed?  
5. What company do they work with on the destination end? Usually, “international” movers are simply local companies that partner with other local companies based in your destination. Research their partner company, too. 
6. Are there any customs or duties you’ll have to pay? Make sure the company can tell you this and exactly how the process works. Experienced movers will have the answer straight away. 

Preparing to Ship Your Stuff Moving Abroad 

Once you’ve chosen your moving company, it’s best to do all the prep you can before they arrive. 

Divide or pre-pack your belongings into four categories: carry-on, air shipment, sea shipment, and storage or giveaway. 

✅ Important Tips: 

• Put different categories in different rooms or boxes, and label them. The movers will re-pack and secure everything in their own moving supplies. 
• If you still need to use the item right up until the move, label it with painter’s tape. 
• For kitchenware, you can put air shipment items in one cupboard and sea shipment things in another, and label the cupboards with painter’s tape. 
• Clear out all the things you can before moving day. You don’t want to end up with that old trash can packed and shipped to a foreign country (this actually happened to me…a full trash can. Sigh.) 
• Take photos of everything breakable and/or expensive. 

On Move Day 

In my experience, movers come in fast and furious. Be ready for the chaos of 5 people in your house tossing stuff in boxes. This is why it’s important to make sure you’re organized before they arrive – it will be hectic and go by in a flash. 

✅ Important Tips: 

• Make sure every mover on the team knows which stuff is going where: what your labeling system is, where certain items are, and which items need to stay put (it’s a good idea to put red tape on things that should not be packed). 
• The movers will have an inventory, and may ask you occasionally to sign things as boxes are packed. It’s stressful, but you have to stay there and watch what they’re doing, answer questions, and make sure it’s all present and correct. 
• At the end of the day, they’ll give you paperwork, including the inventory. Keep this with you (in your carry-on), and scan or copy it just in case. 

In Your New Country 

Once you’ve arrived, you’ll get notification (or you can follow the tracking, if they provided it) of when your items reach certain milestones: arrived in the country, cleared customs, etc. 

✅ Important Tips: 

• The movers on your end will contact you regarding a delivery time. This will need to be scheduled in advance, and spots usually fill up quickly, so make sure you answer the phone when they call to get your stuff ASAP! 
• Make sure you have a local contact person in case anything goes awry. 
• If you received an air shipment in temporary accommodation, make sure you save those packing materials for when you move to your new home. 

Unpacking and Settling In 

Once your air or sea shipment is delivered, you’re done! Except one more thing: unpack everything straight away to check for damage or missing items. There is usually a timeline in which you need to report any problems, or else they won’t be liable. 

✅ Important Tip: 

• Report any issues straight away so you can file a claim. That’s right: don’t leave those boxes of books sitting for months, in case your first edition was damaged. 

International Moves: Final Tips

Moving household goods overseas requires careful planning and execution.

By choosing the right moving company, understanding the logistics, and preparing for each step of the process, you can ensure a smoother transition to your new home abroad.

Remember, the more planning and prep you do now, the less you’ll have to worry about later.

More on Moving Abroad 

The Ultimate Moving Abroad Packing Checklist: 7 Do’s and Don’ts 

How to Ship Your Stuff Moving Abroad: The Basics

Moving Abroad Checklist: 7 Steps to Create Your Dream Life

The Truth About Moving Abroad: Expectations vs. Reality

101 Top Motivational Life Abroad Quotes to Fuel Your Adventure

Living in Australia vs UK: What 11 Aussie Expats Want You to Know 

33 Terrible & Wonderful Differences: London Houses vs American Houses

Should I Move to London? The Ultimate Compatibility Quiz

Shipping Furniture Overseas & International Moves: FAQ