MOVE TYPE · INTERNATIONAL

International Moving Cost Calculator

Estimate the cost of an international move — by volume and shipping method — before you request relocation quotes.

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CALCULATOR · LIVE

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What are you moving?

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COST

How much does an international move cost?

International moves are priced mainly by volume (cubic feet or cubic meters) and shipping method — shared container (LCL / groupage) versus a dedicated (FCL) container — plus destination fees, customs, and door delivery. Broad ranges:

Studio / 1 bedroom (shared container)

$2,000 – $4,500

2 – 3 bedroom (dedicated 20 ft container)

$5,000 – $10,000

3 – 4 bedroom (dedicated 40 ft container)

$8,000 – $16,000

Air freight (urgent / small)far faster, far pricier than sea

$4 – $12 / lb

Sea freight is the default for household goods; air freight is for urgent or small shipments. The calculator above sizes your inventory so you can match it to the right container and get a realistic volume figure to give relocation companies.

WHAT DRIVES THE PRICE

What affects international moving costs?

01

Volume and shipping method

Shared-container (groupage) service is cheapest but slowest, since your goods wait to fill a container. A dedicated container is faster and more private but costs more. Air freight is fastest and priciest.

02

Destination and route

Port pairs, fuel surcharges, and destination-country handling all vary. Some destinations have limited sailings, which lengthens transit and can raise cost.

03

Customs, duties, and documentation

Import duties, quarantine inspection (common for AU/NZ), and paperwork vary by country. A good relocation company handles clearance, but fees are usually passed through.

04

Door-to-door services

Packing, export wrapping, insurance (marine coverage), destination delivery, and unpacking each add cost. Full door-to-door relocation is the premium tier; port-to-port is cheaper but leaves logistics to you.

METHODOLOGY

This estimate sizes your household goods in cubic feet so you can map them to a shipping method (shared or dedicated container). International pricing depends heavily on origin/destination ports, customs, and the relocation company, which a volume calculator cannot fully capture, so treat this as a planning baseline for requesting formal relocation quotes.

FREQUENTLY ASKED

International moving cost FAQ

How much does it cost to move overseas?+

An international move ranges from about $2,000-4,500 for a small shared-container shipment to $8,000-16,000 for a full household in a dedicated 40-foot container. Volume, destination, and services drive the number.

What's the cheapest way to move internationally?+

Shared-container (groupage or LCL) sea freight is the cheapest, because you only pay for the space your goods occupy in a container shared with others. The trade-off is a longer, less predictable transit time.

Sea freight or air freight for an international move?+

Sea freight is standard for household goods: far cheaper, but weeks in transit. Air freight is for urgent or small shipments where speed matters more than cost, priced per pound at several times the sea rate.

How long does an international move take?+

Sea freight typically takes several weeks to a couple of months door-to-door, depending on route, customs, and whether it's a shared or dedicated container. Air freight is days to a couple of weeks.

Do I pay customs and duties on an international move?+

Often, yes, though many countries grant duty relief on used household goods for people relocating. Rules vary by destination, and inspections (especially in Australia and New Zealand) can add fees. Your relocation company will advise on your route.

International relocation companies

These movers handle international and overseas relocations. Request quotes and give them the volume figure from the calculator above for a faster, more accurate estimate.

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