International Relocation Cost Estimator

Our calculator provides a baseline estimate using aggregated benchmark data from thousands of international moves. However, actual costs fluctuate based on seasonality, your exact pick-up/drop-off zip codes, fuel surcharges, and current shipping lane demands. Treat this as a budgeting baseline, but always get official quotes for an exact number.

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.

Air Freight is fast (typically 1–3 weeks) but significantly more expensive. It is best for moving just a few suitcases or boxes. Sea Freight is much more economical but slower (typically 8–12 weeks depending on the route). If you are moving a half or full household, it will almost certainly go by sea.

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).

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.

When you request a quote, we securely pass your route details to our trusted partner, Sirelo. Sirelo is an independent booking platform that matches your specific route with up to 5 verified, licensed international moving companies.

Not at all. Requesting quotes is 100% free and carries no obligation. It simply allows moving companies that service your specific route to compete for your business, ensuring you get the best possible market rate.

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.

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 5–10x 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.

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–$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 20–50% to the total.

Sirelo matches your route with up to 5 verified, licensed international moving companies. You will not be spammed — only movers that specifically service your origin-to-destination corridor will contact you. Each quote is itemized so you can compare services, insurance options, and delivery timelines side by side. Most users receive 3–5 quotes within 48 hours.

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.

The total timeline depends on the shipping mode and route complexity. Sea freight typically takes 8–12 weeks from pickup to delivery, which includes 2–3 weeks for packing and documentation, 4–6 weeks in transit, and 2–3 weeks for customs clearance and final delivery. 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.