Asian Tigers
🇭🇰 Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR
Asia's leading relocation group with 14 country offices across the region's primary commercial centres.
Founded 1968 Asia-Pacific, Worldwide
FIDI FAIM
IAM
15+ years of international relocation expertise
Seamless International Moving from the USA, Worldwide.
Compare vetted, IAM-member international movers, navigate Transfer of Residence customs, and save up to 30% on moving costs.
- Up to 3 competing moving company quotes
- Country-specific customs playbooks
- Door-to-door pricing transparency
- Licensed, background-checked partners
Step 1 of 4
Move Trajectory
100% free · No obligation · IAM-verified partner network
All Partners IAM-Verified
Many FIDI FAIM Certified
HMRC & EU Customs Compliant
100% Free & No Obligation
AI virtual home estimate
Estimate your move size
Let our AI helper quickly estimate your move size. Answer a few questions about your home and we'll suggest the space you'll need for shipping — so movers can quote you more accurately, faster.
- Volume estimate in cubic feet and cubic metres
- Small, Medium or Large move classification
- Suggested shipping option: shared container or full container
- One tap to attach it to your quote request
This is a helpful estimate — your final quote will be based on a detailed inventory confirmed with the moving companies.
AI Move Size Assistant
Question 1 of 4
Free
What kind of home are you moving?
Destination hubs
Nineteen destinations. Nineteen very different customs regimes.
More than 2.4 million Americans live across these nineteen countries in Europe, the Americas and Asia-Pacific. Shipping costs, ports of entry, VAT rates and tax registrations vary sharply — start with where you are landing.
Compare every destination side by side
Expat populations, visa routes, VAT rates and customs authorities in one table.
View destination comparison Interactive estimator
Estimate your volume, container and door-to-door price
Benchmarks built from thousands of US-to-Europe household shipments, including origin packing, ocean freight, destination customs clearance and final delivery.
Home size2 Bedroom
Studio1 Bedroom2 Bedroom3 Bedroom4+ Bedroom
Origin region
Live estimate
- Estimated volume
- 18 CBM
- Container recommendation
- 20ft FCL Container
- Door-to-door price range
- $5,550 – $7,881
- Typical transit
- 3 to 6 weeks door to door
Estimates exclude destination duties where relief is not granted.
Sea freight explained
Sea freight options: LCL vs Groupage
Most people moving from the USA to Europe do not need a full shipping container to themselves. International moving companies use shared-container sea freight so you only pay for the space your belongings actually use — and two shared-container approaches do that in very different ways.
LCL (Less than Container Load)
LCL is a shared-container service widely used in commercial freight. Your household goods are crated and shipped alongside other shippers' cargo — often commercial goods — and the shipment is usually managed by third-party freight forwarders who consolidate and deconsolidate the container at each port.
LCL can work well when a fast, regular departure is the priority, because commercial consolidation lanes sail on a fixed schedule. The trade-off is more handling steps, mixed cargo in the same container, and extra port and handling fees that can add up at both ends.
Groupage
Groupage is a shared-container service created by international moving companies specifically for household goods. Your belongings are loaded into the same container as other families' moves heading to the same country or region, and your mover controls the container and works within a trusted partner network.
Because the container holds only household effects, groupage is often the most cost-effective option for small and medium moves. It also reduces risk by avoiding industrial cargo and unnecessary handling. The one trade-off is timing: the container only leaves once enough volume has been collected, so the exact departure can take a little longer.
| How they compare | LCL | Groupage |
|---|---|---|
| Cargo type | Your crated household goods travel alongside other shippers' cargo, which can include commercial freight. | Only household moves from other families going to the same country or region. |
| Who controls the process | Third-party freight forwarders consolidate and deconsolidate the container at the ports. | Your moving company controls the container end-to-end within a trusted partner network. |
| Cost & timing | Pay-per-cubic-metre pricing on a regular, faster departure schedule, plus separate port and handling fees. | Often the lowest cost for small and medium moves, but the container leaves only once enough volume is collected. |
| Handling & risk | More handling steps and mixed cargo mean a higher chance of extra charges and exposure to industrial freight. | Fewer handling steps and no industrial cargo reduce the risk of damage and surprise fees. |
| Best for | When a fast, fixed departure date matters most. | When budget and the safety of personal belongings come first and you can be flexible on the exact arrival date. |
Which option is right for me?
LCL is best when speed and a fixed departure schedule matter most — for example, if you need your belongings on a known sailing date. Groupage is usually best when budget and the safety of your personal belongings are the top priorities and you can be flexible on the exact arrival date. Your matched moving companies will recommend the right approach based on your volume, route and timeline.
Regulatory guidance
Transfer of Residence relief: 0% duty, 0% VAT — if you qualify.
Every EU member state and the UK grant relief on used household goods when you move your normal residence from a non-EU country. Miss one condition and you can face duty plus VAT of 20–27% on the declared value of your entire shipment.
12 months of prior residence outside the EU/UK
Documented with US tax returns, leases, utility bills or employment letters covering the previous 12 continuous months.
6 months of prior ownership and use
Each item must have been owned and used by you for at least six months before export. New, boxed purchases are dutiable.
Destination tax IDs before clearance
NIE in Spain, numéro fiscal in France, NIF in Portugal, Anmeldung in Germany, and a granted HMRC ToR1 reference for the UK.
12-month disposal restriction after import
Relieved goods cannot be sold, lent or hired out for 12 months without repaying the relieved duty and VAT.
Country filing at a glance
🇲🇽 Mexico
Menaje de Casa consular certification
🇨🇦 Canada
CBSA Form BSF186 (Personal Effects Accounting Document)
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
HMRC ToR1 (Transfer of Residence)
🇩🇪 Germany
Anmeldung + Übersiedlungsgut form 0350
🇦🇺 Australia
B534 Unaccompanied Personal Effects statement
🇯🇵 Japan
Customs Form C-5360
🇫🇷 France
Numéro fiscal + Cerfa 10070
🇰🇷 South Korea
Personal Customs Clearance Code (PCCC)
🇹🇭 Thailand
Work permit or LTR privileges for duty exemption
🇮🇹 Italy
Codice Fiscale + Dichiarazione di trasferimento
🇪🇸 Spain
NIE + Padrón registration
🇳🇱 Netherlands
BSN + Belastingdienst verhuisboedel filing
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Cantonal permit + Form 18.44
🇮🇪 Ireland
PPS number + Revenue ToR relief
🇳🇿 New Zealand
MPI Unaccompanied Personal Effects declaration (CNZ 218)
🇸🇪 Sweden
Personnummer + Tullverket flyttsakstillstånd
🇵🇦 Panama
Pensionado duty-free certificate (up to $10,000)
🇵🇹 Portugal
NIF + Certificado de Bagagem
🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Law 9986 import exemption certificate
Verified partners
A screened network of international moving companies
Each partner is independently verified for accreditation, insurance and a documented service specialism before joining the network. Here is a sample of the network, spanning four continents.
Visit website
ELL Worldwide Movers
🇦🇪 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
UAE-based international removals specialist serving the GCC and worldwide destinations.
Founded 2011 Middle East, Worldwide
IAM
IMA
Elite Shipping India
🇮🇳 Chennai, India
India-based global relocation specialist offering fine art and pet relocation services.
Founded 2010 South Asia, Worldwide
IAM
Globe Moving
🇮🇳 Bangalore, India
India's longest-established international mover, with a door-to-door network spanning 180+ countries.
Founded 1971 South Asia, Worldwide
FIDI FAIM
IAM
Intermovers
🇲🇾 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Malaysia corporate-relocation specialist and UniGroup Worldwide UTS partner with a 1,200-office network.
Founded 1996 Asia-Pacific, Worldwide
FIDI FAIM
IAM
BAR
KLH Movers
🇮🇳 Chennai, India
Chennai-based customs-clearance and LCL-consolidation specialist for household goods and personal effects.
Founded 2014 South Asia, Worldwide
IAM
Licensed Customs Broker
NVOCC
Nobel Relocation
🇺🇸 Miami Gardens, FL, United States
Family-run, FAIM-certified US mover with East Coast hubs in Miami, Atlanta and Maryland.
Founded 2004 North America, Europe, Worldwide
FIDI FAIM
IAM
BBB A+
Orphee Beinoglou
🇬🇷 Elefsina (Athens), Greece
Greece's leading specialist in relocation, fine art and exhibition logistics — trusted since 1923.
Founded 1923 Europe, Worldwide
FIDI FAIM
IAM
Harvast
🇮🇩 Jakarta, Indonesia
Jakarta-based moving and relocation specialist serving Indonesia and global destinations.
Founded 2024 Asia-Pacific, Worldwide
IAM
Trans Dragon
🇨🇳 Beijing, China
China's longest-established licensed international mover, with branches in Beijing, Tianjin and Shanghai.
Founded 1984 Asia-Pacific, Worldwide
IAM
FIDI FAIM
Licensed Customs Broker
Every partner is IAM accredited at minimum
Tell us about your move and we'll match you with the right partners for your route.
Our Services
Paid relocation support for any international move
Choose the support you need for a smoother international move. Each service is delivered by an experienced relocation expert and booked on your schedule.
60-Minute Relocation Strategy Call
$100 USD
A personalized 60-minute video call with a relocation expert focused on your overall move abroad. We cover your goals, expectations, key decisions, and common challenges so you have a clear big-picture strategy before you commit to major steps.
Ideal for anyone needing quick, expert clarity on how to plan their international move.
School & Education Planning Session
$175 USD
We review your children’s ages, learning styles, and long-term plans, then map them against typical schooling options available to expat families worldwide (local schools, international schools, bilingual programs, and online or hybrid options). You receive a shortlist of suitable pathways plus key questions to ask any school you consider.
Essential for families who want a globally informed education strategy, no matter which country they choose.
Partner Introduction Call
$75 USD per introduction
We connect you with vetted service providers such as real estate agents, immigration lawyers, tax advisors, or intercultural coaches. Each introduction includes a personalized 30-minute call so you can ask questions, compare options, and decide who fits your needs.
Efficient way to build a trusted professional support network for your move abroad.
Custom Timeline Development
$130 USD
We design a personalized, step-by-step roadmap for your entire relocation: pre-departure, travel, arrival, and settling in. Your timeline includes key deadlines, dependencies, and suggested reminders so you can track progress and avoid last-minute stress.
Perfect for keeping complex international moves organized and on track.
Document Organization Review
$150 USD
We review your relocation documentation (visas, contracts, certificates, records) to identify gaps and risks. You receive a structured digital filing system plus guidance on which documents typically need certification, apostille, legalization, or translation for international moves.
Helps you avoid delays and complications caused by missing or incorrect paperwork.
Settling-In Priorities Session
$100 USD
A focused 45-minute consultation to create a strategic action plan for your first weeks in any new country. We help you prioritize essential tasks and quality-of-life upgrades like registrations, banking, healthcare, housing next steps, and social connections.
Designed to help you feel at home faster by concentrating on the most important settling-in activities.
Frequently asked