Typical price ranges
Most household international moves fall between $2,500 and $18,000 door to door. The biggest swing factors are the volume you're shipping, the destination country, and whether you share a container or book your own.
| Container / load | Typical use | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| A few boxes (LCL) | Studio / partial room | $800 – $2,500 |
| 20 ft container | 1–2 bedroom home | $3,500 – $7,500 |
| 40 ft container | 3–4 bedroom home | $6,500 – $12,000 |
| 40 ft HC + vehicle | Whole house + car | $10,000 – $18,000 |
What drives the price
- Volume. Ocean freight is priced by cubic meters (CBM) or container. Decluttering before the move is the single biggest lever.
- Distance & route. Major lanes (US ↔ UK, US ↔ Germany) are cheaper than remote ports. Inland delivery on both ends adds cost.
- Customs duties & taxes. Used household goods are often duty-free with the right paperwork, but new items, vehicles, and alcohol are taxed.
- Insurance. Marine cargo insurance typically runs 1.5%–3% of declared value. We strongly recommend full replacement coverage.
- Service level. Door-to-door full-service (pack, load, ship, deliver, unpack) costs 30–50% more than port-to-port, but removes almost all logistics from your plate.
How to ship moving boxes internationally
- Inventory and weigh each box; label clearly with contents and destination address.
- Choose LCL ocean freight for <15 boxes — you share a container and only pay for the space you use.
- Submit a customs packing list and your passport copy; restricted items vary by country.
- Arrange delivery or port pickup at the destination; budget 4–8 weeks transit for ocean, 3–7 days for air.
Ways to save
- Sell or donate furniture worth less than its shipping cost (rule of thumb: $200/CBM).
- Pick a flexible shipping window — peak-season surcharges (May–Sept) add 10–20%.
- Combine household goods with a vehicle in one 40 ft container.
- Get at least three written quotes — and confirm what's included (origin packing, port fees, destination delivery, insurance).
Get a real number for your move
Tell us your origin, destination, and rough volume — we'll send a transparent flat-rate quote within hours, with customs and insurance laid out line by line.