International Moving Costs: How to Budget for Moving Abroad
Budget for your bon voyage
Moving internationally costs anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000 or more.
Overseas moving costs will depend on whether you hire movers, shipping requirements, and travel costs.
Don’t forget to factor in the cost of visa applications, transporting a vehicle, sea freight, securing storage space, and a down payment or deposit on new living quarters.
Get at least three quotes before choosing a professional international moving service.
Seeking new horizons in a different country is an exciting adventure, but there are many international moving costs to consider. In addition to transporting your belongings to your new home, you’ll need to account for the price of visas, temporary accommodations, and more. You can expect to pay $1,000 to $10,000 or more, depending on the destination, shipping requirements, and moving fees. To help you plan your budget, we’ve put together this guide to international moving costs.
International Moving Cost Factors
The total cost of your international move depends on several factors and will likely increase if you hire professional movers or ship many items overseas. Let’s review the different costs that can impact your bottom line.
1. Visa/Immigration Fees
Anytime you’re moving to another country, you’ll need to budget around $500 for the fees to secure your visa and eventual citizenship. Fees vary based on the country and the circumstances of your citizenship (whether you’re a skilled worker, moving to be with a spouse, etc). You’ll also need to get these documents prepared where applicable:
Passport
Financial statements
Academic records
Medical records
Driver's license
Documentation of child custody (if relevant)
Proof of health insurance
Marriage or divorce certificate
Pet vaccination records
2. Travel Costs
The average price for a one-way fare on an international flight is around $1,400. If you’re bringing pets, the average cost is roughly $300 to have a small dog or cat in the cabin with you, or around $1,000 to have them fly in cargo. Having flexible flight dates and booking in advance can save you big.
3. Shipping and Moving Expenses
Shipping and international moving costs will depend on the distance you’re traveling and the size of the load. These are the key factors to consider when drawing up your budget.
Hiring Professional Movers
Once you find a moving company near you that offers international moving, get a personalized estimate on how much your move will potentially cost. To ensure you get the best deal, be sure to obtain at least three quotes from different moving companies before you decide. Below are the main factors that are typically itemized in your quote.
Packing (Including Pickup)
Both weight and cubic footage will play into the cost to pack and pick up your belongings. The heavier and larger the load, the more movers will be needed to move it, and the more it will cost to ship. Before you start getting quotes, take inventory of everything you’ll be bringing so you can get the most accurate estimates.
Shipment Size
Again, the weight and cubic footage of your belongings will have a major impact on your international moving cost. Larger and heavier loads will equal higher costs in your moving estimate.
Customs/Import Taxes
If you’re shipping personal belongings to your new destination, you’ll need to factor in the cost of customs and import taxes. A good rule of thumb is to plan for roughly 2% of the cost to transport your items.
Delivery Fees
Using the weight and container dimensions, the delivery agency calculates charges for transporting your goods to your new residence. These expenses are incorporated into your international estimate.
Moving Insurance
Most moving companies offer a standard released-value liability coverage of about $0.60 per pound included in the service. However, if you’re moving internationally, the likelihood of damage is much higher, so you may want to consider upgrading your moving insurance coverage (especially if you have heavy or high-value items).
| Type of Moving Insurance | Cost |
|---|---|
| Full value protection | 1% value of household goods |
| Released value protection | $0.60 per pound per item |
| Third party coverage | 1% to 5% of shipment value |
4. Shipping a Vehicle
The cost to ship a car overseas will vary based on the size of the car, how far you’re shipping it, and the method used to ship it. Shipping it by sea is the most affordable, with average costs typically falling somewhere between $1,000 and $5,000. Flying a car, while much faster, comes at a significantly higher cost of $10,000 to $40,000 for international transfers.
| Shipping Method | Cost |
|---|---|
| Truck | $950 |
| Airplane | $5,000–$40,000 |
| Train | $1,000 |
| Ship | $1,000–$5,000 |
5. Storage Options
Whether you’re keeping belongings in your home country or temporarily storing them until you find a permanent residence at the new location, you may need to factor the cost of storage unit rental into your budget. Rates vary across the board, so it’s good practice to find at least three options and compare costs versus perks before making a decision.
6. Accommodations
Renting or buying sight unseen is extremely risky, so it may be difficult to find housing in your new destination unless you’re able to visit before the big move. If you don’t have a trusted friend or family member to check out the property beforehand to ensure it’s safe and legit, you may want to budget for temporary accommodations such as a hotel or a short-term rental.
7. Health Insurance
Before moving to a new country, it’s important to research what your costs could look like for healthcare. Even if the country offers universal healthcare, you may not be able to obtain it immediately. For instance, when planning for the cost of moving to Canada, budgeting for temporary health insurance is essential, as it can take a few months to qualify for the country’s free government healthcare plan.
8. Household Essentials
You’ll likely need to budget for essentials such as household cleaning supplies, tools, rugs, and linens. Depending on the distance you’re moving, it will likely make more sense to repurchase these items rather than ship them over.
5 Tips for Saving Money Moving Internationally
The sooner you start planning for your overseas move, the more likely you will save money. These steps can help make room in your budget for the smoothest move possible.
1. Start Planning ASAP
Preparation is key to a smooth and cost-effective international move. As soon as you decide to move, start making a moving checklist of everything you need to do from start to finish. Call moving companies for quotes, research storage facilities or shipping services, and look into shipping service to get an idea of what the move will entail. Don’t forget to set a moving date that aligns with your personal and professional schedules.
2. Create a Budget
Set aside time to break down the expenses you expect to cover throughout the move, from move-out cleaning costs to shipping fees, flights, visa applications, and hiring professional movers. Once you’ve identified costs for each aspect of your move, add about 10% to your total budget to account for unexpected costs that might pop up.
3. Declutter and Sell Items
Take inventory of your household belongings and determine what you want to keep, sell, and donate. The less volume you have to ship, the less you’ll have to pay in fees. Plus, you can use the cash you earn from selling what you don’t want to the moving budget for other essential expenses.
4. Source Packing Materials
Instead of buying brand-new boxes or packing materials, you should source used moving supplies on resale websites or check with family, friends, or neighbors who recently moved. It’s not only a good way to save money but also a more sustainable way to move since you’re reusing boxes, bubble wrap, and more.
5. Get Multiple Moving Quotes
If you plan to use a local moving company to help pack and transport your items, get quotes from at least three companies so you can compare pricing to find the best deal. Plus, you may be able to use comparable quotes to negotiate costs with international moving companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
An international move can cost up to $10,000 or more, depending on shipping and travel expenses. You will likely fall on the lower end of the price range if you are moving by yourself, don’t ship a vehicle, and have less belongings to ship across the pond. Consult an international moving company to get an accurate estimate based on the details of your move.
The cost of an international move depends on your location and how much you’re outsourcing to professional help. Your best bet is to save anywhere from $5,000 to $8,000 for an international move. If you’ll be enlisting professional packers, movers, cleaners, and unpackers, aim to set aside around $10,000 for your move.
The least expensive way to move your belongings overseas is to use ocean freight or a port-to-port service, which is the equivalent of a warehouse-to-warehouse service. The more items you declutter, sell, and give away beforehand, the less you will have to ship to your new destination. Keep in mind that large, bulky furniture items like couches and beds are the most expensive items to ship overseas.
Yes, it costs money to move to a different country, especially if you’re bringing belongings like furniture, clothing, or a vehicle. You will have to pay to ship your items to your new country, and you’ll likely have to pay for your flight as well as any visa applications for your new residency. It also helps to research the cost of living in the area to adjust expectations as necessary.
