International Moving Costs

Planning a move overseas can be exhausting and expensive. Choosing a moving company that has your best interests in mind can make the situation a little less stressful. If you have never moved internationally before, there are things that you may not know about that have to be done. Lucky for you, professional moving companies in the moving industry have done this before and know what it takes to get your belongings where they need to go. Moving overseas does not have to be a scary situation with Three Movers by your side.

Costs Associated with International Moves

In order to execute an international move smoothly, you will need to get the help of a professional moving company that has the expertise of moving internationally. These movers know what it takes to properly package your items and have them shipped to their destination overseas. There is a vast price range for hiring international movers. A lot depends on the size of the home they are packing up and moving. The international moving costs will also depend on if you need to hire a professional packing service provided by the moving company. For an overseas move, you could be looking at a price range of $3,000 to $10,000. 

Moving Overseas Shipping Costs

Shipping cost makes up the largest percentage of the overall international moving cost. While the cost of packing, loading, unloading, e.t.c. is also an important part of international shipping costs, if we break down the cost of moving overseas, the shipping cost will have the highest share.

The shipping cost for a full container load is more than the shipping cost of less than a full container load. When you are paying for less than a full container load, you’ll have to share a container with stuff belonging to other people. 

The cost of shipping containers overseas also depends on the shipping route and the total distance of the shipping route. If the container ship has to stop at a seaport of an expensive country, the cost will increase. If you are shipping through a place with cold weather and an abundance of icebergs, you’ll have to pay more for shipping.

The shipping company you choose will also have a big impact on the shipping cost. For affordable shipping prices, you should contact Three Movers.

Visas and Immigration Costs

Hopefully, you will use a moving company that will help you with the visa and immigration processes. Some countries will not make you pay for the household goods you bring into the country up to a certain amount. After that amount, they will tax the items. In some countries, you may be looking at fees for bringing in your household items up to $500. Visa fees could also cost around the same amount, but in some countries, they don’t charge anything at all.

Should International Moving Costs Include Moving Insurance?

Your moving company will offer some kind of insurance that covers your items, but the likelihood of the insurance covering your items in full is slim. For this, you will need to get third party insurance through another carrier or get extended coverage offered by your moving company. While your moving company and their affiliates are going to do everything they can to make sure that your items do not get damaged in transport, there is a lot of unknown that comes with the thousands of miles your belongings are going to travel. So, it may be a good idea to opt for additional coverages. The cost for additional coverage can range anywhere from $200 to $1,000. 

Storage, Boxes, and Packing Materials

For a move overseas, you will need to use packing materials that can withstand the trip. General boxes are not going to cut it, and they will need to be sturdier. Boxes that are sturdier than typical boxes can range in price from $4.00 to $17.00 each, so depending on the number of boxes you need, this could add up. The pricing does not include the extra items like bubble wrap and packing tape. If you want to limit the cost of moving overseas, you may check into the rates of packing professionals that are a part of a full-service moving company.

Storage is another option that has to be utilized in moves overseas. Some people spend the first part of their move overseas traveling. For this, they will often put their belongings in storage while they travel. Other scenarios where storage may be necessary is if the new home has not been completed. The cost of storage can run as high as $200 to $400 per month, depending on the size of the unit needed. This cost could also increase if it is a climate-controlled unit.

Flights, Accommodations, and Pets

You aren’t able to accompany your belongings on their trip overseas, so you will have to make your own flight plans. Depending on the flight you have to take, and the connecting flights associated with it, the amount you pay for plane tickets could add up. You may also need to find temporary accommodations until your belongings reach your new home. Between the two, you could possibly be spending between $2,250 and $6,550.

Furry family members will have to be taken into consideration during an international move. A lot of times you can make accommodations to bring your pet on the plane with you. Flying with your pet will be the fastest and cheapest option available. You can’t ship them with your belongings due to restrictions by carriers. You will need to make sure they are correctly crated or placed in a carrier. Depending on the pet and the airline rules, you could be looking at spending $200 to $500 for your pets. 

Customs Duties and Taxes

Whether you are moving your goods to a new country using air freight or sea freight, apart from shipping costs, you may incur customs duty, taxes. These charges are based on the value of the goods you are moving.  

If you are moving into the United States from another country, most household goods are allowed to be moved duty-free. Rules differ internationally but the common rule is that used household goods are allowed in duty-free. However, some countries may collect duties on newly purchased belongings that are being moved. It is also important to note that some countries can levy duties on used personal vehicles. Make enquiries about specific practices in your destination country before making your move.

Buying or Renting a Property

If moving to you new country, you certainly need to rent or buy a new home, and this is part of your moving cost. The cost of renting or buying a property differs based on the country you are moving to and the specific area you are choosing to live there. So make a list of areas that you like and enquire from other expats that are already living in those places to have an idea of costs. You search online to get the average cost of buying or renting, and the associated direct property taxes.

Cost of Transferring Money Abroad

The moment you land in your new country, you will need to begin to spend money even before you start working or earning. That is why it is a good idea to open a bank account domiciled in your country of destination and transfer money. This means that you should also expect to incur international money transfer costs which may mean parting with up to 4% of your transfer funds. However, the cost can be much lower when you use reliable online banks.

International Removals Cost

When making an overseas move, use it as an opportunity to get rid of unwanted items. These items can often be donated, sold, or trashed. If you have a lot of unwanted items that are not in a condition to sell or donate, renting a large trash bin may be the solution to all your troubles. These large bins are dropped off by waste companies and then picked up when you are done with them. In the grand scheme of an overseas move, this will more than likely be the easiest part of the move and it will help you save money as well on moving costs. These waste receptacles run anywhere from $150 to $250 for drop-off and pick-up. 

International Travel Costs

When it comes to moving to a new country, you may need to travel there a couple of times prior to your moving day. Then, when moving day rolls around, you need to have plane tickets for you and all the members of your family that is relocating. Depending on the country that you’re moving to, travel costs can be quite the expense. So, make sure that this is something that is not overlooked as you are making your budget. 

Overall, the cost of airfare will vary based on where you’re flying, how much luggage you’re bringing, and the time of year. Though, you can save money by booking your tickets far in advance. 

International Housing Costs

It can be difficult to find a new home for you and your family when you’re not currently living in the country. Instead, you’ll probably have to secure temporary housing after you arrive in your destination country. That way, you can take a couple of months to get to know your new city, figure out where you specifically want to live, and find a more permanent residence to call home. 

That said, when you’re calculating the overall cost to move to another country, plan for extended stay hotels or other short-term housing options. Also, make sure you have enough money budgeted for all the initial housing expenses, such as security deposits, insurance, taxes, down payments, or first month’s rent, etc.

Quick Tip: Before you make the move, it’s smart to find out the cost of living in your new country. That way, you can ensure that you have enough to cover your living expenses for a few months until you get settled. 

How Much Does It Cost To Ship Furniture Overseas

The cost mainly depends on the mode of transportation you choose. If you need to get your furniture to the new country quicker, you should use air freight. It will cost more. Using the sea route will cost less. 

Unless you are moving a large number of furniture, you will be moving less than a container load. In that case, finding the right partner/s to share the container is necessary to make the move more affordable. 

But, there are some other factors as well that will affect the cost to move your furniture overseas. When moving heavy furniture, you may also need to pay for professional packing, assembly, disassembly, loading and unloading services. Storage services may also be required. The cost of these services mainly depends on the company that you choose for these services. Finding a company that will provide all of these services and also provides shipping services will make it more affordable for you. Three Movers is that type of company.

Finding an Overseas Moving Solution

Three Movers offer many overseas moving options that can fit your budget. The price ranges for an international move can run $6,150 to $20,200 depending on the size of the move and the season you are moving. An experienced professional moving company will offer both competitive and fair international moving rates. These companies help you with all the steps that need to be taken before, during, and after the move. If you are unsure what you need to do to start the process, call Three Movers for a free no-obligation quote.