International Relocation Cost Estimator

Calculate shipping costs in 60 seconds, then request free quotes from movers vetted by Sirelo.

BENCHMARK COSTS

International Moving Cost Benchmarks

Estimated sea and air freight ranges, based on industry benchmarks and typical quotes. These are not live rates - request a quote for your exact route.

LCL assumes a shared load of roughly 1-2 bedrooms. FCL assumes a dedicated 20ft container of roughly 3+ bedrooms. Transit figures cover sea time only and exclude packing, customs clearance and final delivery.

Figures are estimated ranges for budgeting, not quotes. They exclude customs duties, taxes, insurance and storage. Last updated: October 2026.

New York / Toronto→Slovenia4–8 weeks

LCL shared

$2,000–$4,500

FCL 20ft

$4,000–$8,500

Air

$1,800–$4,000

New York / Toronto→Portugal3–7 weeks

LCL shared

$1,800–$4,000

FCL 20ft

$3,500–$7,500

Air

$1,500–$3,500

New York / Toronto→Mexico2–6 weeks

LCL shared

$1,500–$3,500

FCL 20ft

$3,000–$6,500

Air

$1,200–$3,000

New York / Toronto→Spain3–7 weeks

LCL shared

$1,800–$4,200

FCL 20ft

$3,500–$8,000

Air

$1,500–$3,800

New York / Toronto→Cape Verde4–9 weeks

LCL shared

$2,200–$5,000

FCL 20ft

$4,500–$9,000

Air

$2,000–$4,500

London / Dublin→Slovenia2–5 weeks

LCL shared

$1,200–$2,800

FCL 20ft

$2,500–$5,500

Air

$1,000–$2,500

London / Dublin→Portugal2–4 weeks

LCL shared

$1,000–$2,500

FCL 20ft

$2,000–$4,500

Air

$800–$2,000

London / Dublin→Mexico4–8 weeks

LCL shared

$1,800–$4,000

FCL 20ft

$3,500–$7,500

Air

$1,500–$3,500

London / Dublin→Spain1–3 weeks

LCL shared

$800–$2,000

FCL 20ft

$1,500–$3,500

Air

$600–$1,500

London / Dublin→Cape Verde3–6 weeks

LCL shared

$1,500–$3,500

FCL 20ft

$3,000–$6,500

Air

$1,200–$3,000

Sydney→Slovenia6–12 weeks

LCL shared

$3,000–$6,500

FCL 20ft

$5,500–$12,000

Air

$3,500–$7,000

Sydney→Portugal6–11 weeks

LCL shared

$2,800–$6,000

FCL 20ft

$5,000–$11,000

Air

$3,000–$6,500

Sydney→Mexico7–12 weeks

LCL shared

$3,200–$7,000

FCL 20ft

$6,000–$13,000

Air

$3,500–$7,500

Sydney→Spain6–11 weeks

LCL shared

$2,800–$6,200

FCL 20ft

$5,000–$11,500

Air

$3,000–$6,500

Sydney→Cape Verde7–12 weeks

LCL shared

$3,500–$7,500

FCL 20ft

$6,500–$14,000

Air

$4,000–$8,000

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Next step

Shipping is only half the bill

The deposit, the setup costs, and the first months of rent all have to arrive in another currency. Sending it in one transfer turns a single day of the market into the price of your whole move.

Plan the currency transfers →

7 Ways to Save on Your International Move

1

The sell vs. ship threshold

If an item costs less than $300 to replace and has no sentimental value, sell it before you move. Shipping a single sofa can cost $400 to $800 by sea. Furniture arbitrage works in your favor if you are moving from a high-cost country to a lower-cost one. Check local prices at destination before deciding.

2

LCL vs. FCL: know the breakpoint

Less-than-Container Load (shared container) is cheaper for half households up to around 600 cubic feet. Beyond that, a Full Container Load becomes more cost-effective per cubic foot. Use the calculator above to test both scenarios. Many movers will push FCL because it simplifies their logistics, but LCL is often the smarter choice for a 2-bedroom apartment.

3

Move off-peak season

International shipping rates follow seasonal demand. May through September is peak season for transatlantic moves. Request quotes for October through April and you will typically see 15 to 30% lower rates. If your timeline is flexible, this is the single biggest price lever you have.

4

Split your shipment: air + sea

You do not have to choose one mode. Ship a suitcase or two by air (2 to 5 day delivery) with essentials and work items, then send the rest by sea (8 to 12 weeks). This hybrid approach costs about 20 to 40% more than sea-only but avoids the 2 to 3 month wait for your critical belongings. It is the most popular approach among experienced expats.

5

Consolidate with a neighbor or friend

If you and another expat (or family) are moving to the same destination around the same time, sharing a 20-foot container can cut your individual costs by 30 to 50%. Expat Facebook groups for your destination city are a good place to find a consolidation partner. Just make sure you have clear agreements on customs liability.

6

Declutter before you pack

Moving companies charge by volume (cubic feet) or weight. Every box you eliminate reduces your cost. A typical 2-bedroom household generates 400 to 600 cubic feet of goods. Cutting that to 300 cubic feet by donating, selling, or giving away items can save $800 to $1,500. Start the declutter process 2 months before your move date.

7

Request multiple quotes and compare line by line

The first quote you get is rarely the best one. Getting several quotes lets you compare itemized line by line: packing, freight, destination charges, customs handling, insurance and delivery windows. Ask every company you shortlist for a written, itemized quote, put them side by side, and question anything that is not broken out. Movers will often sharpen their price when they know you are comparing, so ask each one what they can adjust.

How to Vet an International Mover

Sirelo connects you with moving companies in its network, but the contract is between you and the mover you choose. Run these checks before you sign anything.

  • Check FMC registration (NVOCC or ocean freight forwarder) for any ocean shipment from the US.
  • FIDI-FAIM or IAM membership is a positive signal, not a guarantee.
  • Check the company's BBB record and recent independent reviews, not only reviews on the matching site.
  • Insist on an in-home or live video survey before you accept a binding quote.
  • Get itemized written quotes. Ask what is excluded: destination charges, customs, storage and insurance.
  • Be wary of a quote far below the others. A lowball that gets upcharged later is a common pattern.
  • Never pay large cash deposits, and never pay in cash only.
  • Confirm the insurance type (full-value vs. released-value) in writing.

Compare quotes through Sirelo, then run these checks on any company you shortlist.

FAQ

International Relocation Cost - FAQs

How accurate is this cost estimate?
Our calculator provides a baseline estimate using ranges based on industry benchmarks and typical quotes, not live rates. Actual costs fluctuate with seasonality, your exact pick-up and drop-off addresses, fuel surcharges, and current demand on your shipping lane. Treat it as a budgeting baseline and get written quotes for an exact number.
Are customs duties and import taxes included in this estimate?
No. This estimate covers the physical logistics of moving your belongings (freight, standard handling, etc.). Customs duties and import taxes are separate and depend entirely on your destination country, the value of your goods, and your specific visa type.
What is the difference between Sea Freight and Air Freight?
Air Freight is fast (typically 1-3 weeks door to door) but significantly more expensive, and it is best for moving just a few suitcases or boxes. Sea Freight is far more economical but slower. Port-to-port sea transit varies widely by route, from about 1-3 weeks on short corridors to 6-12 weeks on long ones like Australia to Mexico; the benchmark table above lists port-to-port transit only. Counting packing, customs clearance and final delivery, a full door-to-door sea move is commonly quoted at around 8-12 weeks. If you are moving a half or full household, it will almost certainly go by sea.
What do "Half Household" and "Full Household" actually mean?
In shipping terms, a "Half Household" usually refers to a 1-to-2 bedroom apartment where your items share a shipping container with other people's belongings (known as LCL, or Less-than-Container Load). A "Full Household" (3+ bedrooms) typically requires you to book your own dedicated 20-foot or 40-foot shipping container (FCL, or Full Container Load).
Should I ship my furniture or buy new items when I arrive?
This is the classic expat dilemma! If you are moving across an ocean, it is often cheaper to sell your large, bulky furniture and buy new items locally. We generally recommend only shipping high-value, sentimental, or difficult-to-replace items unless your employer is covering the relocation costs.
Who provides the official moving quotes?
When you request a quote, we pass your route details to our partner Sirelo. Sirelo is a quote-comparison service that matches your route with moving companies in its network, and it may send your details to up to 5 of them. Sirelo is not a mover and does not book or carry your shipment. The companies it lists are vetted by Sirelo, which is Sirelo's own label. Always do your own checks too, using the mover vetting checklist above.
Does getting a quote commit me to anything?
No. Requesting quotes costs you nothing and there is no obligation to hire. It allows moving companies that service your route to quote for your business. The rates you are offered depend on your route, volume, dates and the individual mover, so compare the quotes you get side by side rather than assuming any one is the best the market can do.
Do I need specialized international moving insurance?
Yes. While standard movers provide basic liability, it rarely covers the full replacement value of your items if a shipping container is damaged at sea. When you receive your official quotes, you will have the option to add comprehensive marine/transit insurance. We highly recommend adding it.
Why is air freight so much more expensive?
Air freight is priced by weight and dimensional volume, and airlines charge a premium for speed and limited cargo space. A single pallet on a passenger plane can cost 5 to 10x more than the same volume shipped by sea. If you are on a tight timeline and see a high air freight estimate, consider whether you can ship by sea and send a small suitcase ahead by air instead. Splitting your shipment this way often saves thousands of dollars.
Can I ship a car or motorcycle internationally?
Yes. The "Full Household + Vehicle" option in the tool accounts for shipping a standard sedan or motorcycle alongside your household goods. Vehicles are typically loaded into a dedicated container (RoRo or containerized) and shipped by sea. Costs vary significantly by route. Expect to pay $1,500 to $5,000 for a standard vehicle depending on distance and port fees. Note that your destination country may have import restrictions, left-hand-drive rules, and customs duties that can add 20 to 50% to the total.
How many quotes will I actually receive from Sirelo?
Sirelo may send your details to up to 5 moving companies that service your route. Because your details are shared with those companies, expect calls and emails; a dedicated email or phone number is worth setting up first. Only companies covering your route should receive your details, so the contacts should be relevant. How many quotes you receive and how quickly is not guaranteed and depends on the route and the movers. Quotes are typically itemized so you can compare services, insurance and delivery timelines.
What's included in a moving quote?
A standard international moving quote typically includes: packing and materials, loading at origin, ocean or air freight, basic insurance (limited liability), customs documentation handling, unloading at destination, and unpacking. It does not include: customs duties and import taxes, destination-country VAT, storage fees if your new home is not ready, premium insurance for high-value items, or door-to-door delivery if your destination is in a remote area. Always read the fine print and ask what is excluded before signing.
How long does an international move actually take?
The total timeline depends on the shipping mode and route. Sea freight is commonly quoted at around 8-12 weeks door to door, which includes packing and documentation at origin, port-to-port transit, then customs clearance and final delivery. Port-to-port transit alone varies widely by route, from about 1-3 weeks to 6-12 weeks (the benchmark table above lists port-to-port transit only). Air freight is much faster at 1-3 weeks total. Road freight (intracontinental moves like US to Canada or Germany to Spain) takes 3-7 days. These are estimates; port congestion, customs delays and seasonal peaks can add 1-3 weeks to any mode.