Logistics
When moving abroad, expats rely on trusted logistics providers to safely transport their belongings, vehicles, or business goods across borders. With many international shipping companies available, we've assembled a host of top notch providers of which you can easily compare services and request quotes to find the option that best fits their budget, timeline, and relocation needs. From door-to-door movers to freight forwarders and cargo specialists, these providers offer a range of solutions designed to make overseas transitions smooth and stress-free.
Estimating your cost
Below is a rough guide for estimating your cost. Each provider will usually give you a means by which to estimate your fees. You're encouraged to get several quotes to compare rates.
Choose Your Shipping Method
The biggest cost driver is how you ship your items:
Estimate Volume and Weight
Sea shipments are billed mostly by volume, not weight.
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LCL (Less than Container Load): You pay per cubic meter (m³).
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FCL (Full Container Load): You rent the whole container (e.g., 20ft or 40ft).
Rough guide: 1 m³ = about 6–8 large moving boxes.
Origin & Destination
Shipping cost depends on the route:
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Popular routes (e.g., U.S. to Europe, U.S. to Panama) are much cheaper.
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Remote or landlocked destinations cost more due to limited ports or
inland transport fees.
Example:
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U.S. East Coast → Central America: $1,000–$3,000 (small shipment)
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U.S. → Asia or Africa: $2,000–$6,000
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Intra-Europe: $500–$2,000
Add Accessorial Fees
Beyond base shipping, there are “extras” that can add 20–50% to the total cost:
Formula for Quick Estimation
A rough estimating formula for sea freight:
Estimated Total Cost = (Volume in m³×Rate per m³) + Origin Fees + Destination Fees
Example:
You’re shipping 10 m³ from Miami to Panama
Rate = $150 per m³
Origin + Destination = $500 total
Insurance = $100
Estimated cost = (10 × 150) + 500 + 100 = $2,100
Tips for Accuracy
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Use a freight calculator (many movers and shipping brokers have them online: Seven Seas, ShipSmart, iContainers, Sirelo, etc.)
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Get 3–5 quotes from international movers.
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Always ask if quotes include:
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Door-to-door delivery
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Customs clearance
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Taxes and port fees
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International moving cost by size and continent
One logistics company, not listed above, reported estimates below, International moving costs can vary dramatically based on the size of your home. Naturally, moving a smaller home abroad will cost less than a larger home.
We suggest that, unless you really feel the need to move your items with you, consider storing them the first year:
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Ensure you are happy with your choice of destinations.-even if you like the country, you may move around within the country.
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Also, it's common to start off in an apartment, many places may come furnished.
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Many expats like to decorate using the furniture unique to the country they are in, the decor, and design of your new home may clash with the style of furniture you had back home-things to consider as often times it is cheaper to replace than to ship all of your items abroad.
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Inversely, do consider bringing some items that remind you of home, it'll go a long way to ward off being homesick and will help comfort you when you start feeling a little blue.
