Moving overseas sounds expensive. You may think it’s the shipping cost that kills your budget. The reason is your port fees that arrive months later and surprise you with an extra bill.
Once, a customer shared: when they moved from California to France, their final bill was nearly twice the initial cost they had thought. And nobody warned them about that. Not even the guides. (But we don’t want you to make the same mistake.)
A bitter truth is that most guides you read on overseas moving costs focus on shipping and flights only. They skip the dozens of smaller expenses like visa translations, storage fees, pet quarantine, and setting up utilities in your new country that actually cut your account.
In this guide, we will show you different kinds of hidden costs that can appear suddenly. And most importantly, the strategies that cut your total costs in half.
If you’re planning an international move, keep reading. This could save you thousands.
The true cost of moving overseas in 2025
International moving costs range from $1,500 to $30,000, depending on your home size, destination, and shipping method. Here are a few costs and their range that you need to know:
- If you have a studio flat to move to, it costs less than two-bedroom and three-bedroom homes.
- Most calculators exclude visa fees, storage, and temporary accommodation expenses.
- Europe costs less from the East Coast, while Asia is cheaper from the West.
Once, I paid $8,500 from Boston to Portugal. My mate paid $6,200 from New York to Spain. That $2,300 difference came from shorter routes.
That’s how your cost may vary according to your plan to move abroad.
Scouting trips before your international move
Scouting trips are pre-move visits that most people skip. You fly to your destination, explore neighbourhoods, and test the cost of living.
Some people think scouting trips waste of money. And we can’t blame them. You’re spending thousands before you’ve even committed to the international move.
But skipping the trip is how you end up signing a lease in an expensive tourist district and realising your budget doesn’t work.
- Investigation visits cost $3,000 to $8,000 before you even move. (Pretty expensive, right?)
- Planning group tours splits accommodation costs. Instead, solo trips offer complete flexibility.
- Stay at least six weeks to test groceries, transport, and daily expenses. It will help you to understand the place like a resident.
I realised in Portugal that the cheaper cost of living only works if you shop at local markets, not expat supermarkets. That’s the kind of insight you only get by actually living there first.
Considering the shipping and freight expenses
Sea freight is the cheapest way to move belongings overseas, costing half what air freight charges.
Because it causes the average sea freight shipment from the US to Europe to cost less than air freight by a significant margin. A family moving to Spain got quoted $6,800 for sea freight. Air freight quoted them $14,200.
That’s a $7,400 difference. And, the trade-off? Sea freight takes weeks or months while air freight delivers in days.
International moving companies prefer sea freight for full household moves because it’s more economical for customers.
For example, New York to London takes weeks by sea versus days by air. I shipped everything by sea and carried essentials in two suitcases. The wait didn’t bother me because I was in a furnished rental anyway.
Another thing to consider is destination port fees. It covers customs clearance, port handling, and delivery. When my container arrived in Lisbon, I got hit with extra fees. On the other hand, a mate moving to Melbourne paid even more because of stricter inspections.
Packing materials that international movers can’t skip
Damaged goods cost 3x more to replace than quality packing materials. So, you’d better choose wisely where to put money.
Packing materials are boxes, bubble wrap, tape, and furniture blankets. You need them to protect belongings during international moves that involve multiple handlers and ocean crossings.
Some people think they can save money by using free supermarket boxes. And we can’t blame them.
Why spend hundreds on packing supplies when you can get boxes for free? But cheap packing is how your television arrives with a cracked screen, and insurance won’t cover it.
Are you scared to use those free boxes now? Alright. Don’t worry. Let us give you a few tips on how to save your products from damage during moving:
- You can use quality boxes, bubble wrap, and tape that cost $500 to $1,500. Sounds expensive, but replacing a cracked television costs triple that amount.
- Heavyweight products like pianos, artwork, and antiques need custom wooden crates for proper protection.
- Hiring professional packers costs $1,000 to $3,000, but it prevents damage claims.
The verdict: Invest in proper packing materials or hire professionals. Cheap packing during an international move is the wrong mistake you can make.
Visa fees that add up fast
The average visa for popular expat destinations costs between $1,000 – $3,000 per person. That’s why knowing visa costs upfront prevents the $3,000 surprise that delays most international moves.
When I applied for my Portuguese visa, the application fee was $180. Then I added apostille stamps, translations, a medical exam, and travel to the consulate. Total: $1,460 for just me.
A family of four? You’re looking at $5,000 to $6,000 minimum for the international move.
So, visa fees vary according to different aspects:
- Visa applications range from $100 to $3,000 per person, minimum. Tourist visas cost the least. But, work visas and settlement visas hit the top end because of more paperwork.
- To move into another country, you need apostille stamps, notarisation, and translation add $50 per document everywhere.
- Your medical exams and police checks can cost $300 to $800 combined.
So, start your visa paperwork six months early and budget at least $1,500 per person.
Customs duties by destination
Customs duty is a tax on everything you bring into a country. Most countries charge duty based on the declared value of your belongings.
Some expats arriving in Australia reported paying thousands in unexpected customs clearance charges. On the other hand, Thailand charges a high duty on vehicles. The rules vary wildly by country.
These basics about customs duties may help you plan your total budget:
- Customs duty averages 2.59% globally but varies by item value.
- Your used household goods enter duty-free in most countries with paperwork.
- If you have vehicles, you may face 10% to 100% import taxes in some countries.
Currency values are eating your budget
Due to currency exchange, you may lose 3% to 5% on every dollar you transfer. And it adds up to thousands gradually when moving abroad. Banks make money on exchange rate markup, charging you more than the mid-market rate.
Moving $50,000 through a traditional bank makes you lose thousands in poor rates and hidden fees. A $50,000 transfer at 4% markup costs you $2,000 extra.
Most international moving companies won’t inform you about currency values that affect your budget. But it’s one of the biggest hidden costs of relocating internationally. A few things you need to remember during currency exchange:
- Poor exchange rates and transfer fees cost 3% to 5%.
- ATM withdrawals overseas charge $5 plus 3% foreign transaction fees.
- Wise and Revolut offer mid-market rates with minimal transfer fees.
Drawing from personal experience, Wise services save you significantly on overseas shipping costs. I used Wise and paid 0.43% instead of my bank’s 4%. On $40,000, that’s $172 versus $1,600.
Storage fees during your move
Once you’ve shipped your belongings, storage costs arise suddenly while you wait for delivery or find permanent housing.
Storage fees are monthly charges for keeping all your belongings in a warehouse. Most international moving companies offer storage space in either your home country or the destination country.
You can choose different varieties of storage space according to your needs. It costs you differently.
- Climate-controlled storage at the origin costs $100 to $450 monthly, minimum.
- Destination storage while house hunting adds $150 to $500 monthly.
- Three months of storage equals one extra international flight ticket.
I’ve seen some people think storage is included in overseas moving costs. In reality, storage is usually charged separately, and those costs add up fast during the whole process.
Pet relocation expenses
Pet transportation involves vaccinations, health certificates, microchipping, and travel crates. Most countries require specific documentation before allowing your cat or dog to enter. That’s why planning pet relocation early prevents the $3,000 emergency shipping fee when quarantine slots fill up.
So, better to know what to do so that you don’t have to leave your pet behind during your relocation.
- Pet’s vaccinations, microchips, and health certificates cost $300 to $800 total.
- Companies like IATA approve travel crates, and quarantine fees that add $1,000 to $3,000 to your pet’s expense.
- Import permits for pets vary wildly. For instance, Australia costs more than Europe combined.
The verdict is: Plan your pet relocation six months ahead, budget the full cost, and book quarantine slots early. Or you can consider if the expense justifies leaving your pet with trusted family members instead.
Vehicle shipping or selling puzzles
Shipping your car overseas costs $1,800 to $5,000, but import taxes can double that figure. It sounds straightforward, but the estimated cost you got from international moving companies doesn’t include these import taxes.
For example, shipping a car from Los Angeles to London costs around $2,200. Then you add import duties, VAT, and registration fees. Boom!!! The price is high now.
That’s why keep your eye on it when you are thinking about shifting your car.
- Roll-on, roll-off shipping costs $1,800 to $3,000 for standard cars.
- Import taxes, compliance checks, and registration add another $2,000 minimum.
- Selling locally and buying overseas saves half the total cost.
Do the math before shipping. Most people save money by selling their car and buying locally in their host country.
Cutting International moving costs in half
Selling 60% of my belongings before the move saved me $4,000 in shipping costs alone.
I started with 680 cubic feet of stuff in Boston. After ruthless deduction, I sold or donated 420 cubic feet. Finally, I shipped 260 cubic feet to my new destination. And that saved $4,700 just by reducing what I moved.
My plan was interesting and cost-saving, right? From my personal experience, here are the things I want to recommend:
- Selling 60% of your belongings can save $4,000 in shipping costs alone.
- If you pick January and February, moving costs 40% less than peak season.
- International removals have a peak season from May to September.
- Mixed shipping strategy cut my total overseas moving costs dramatically.
Still feeling overwhelmed by all these hidden overseas moving costs? You’re not alone.
If you need help planning your international move or want expert advice on cutting costs, reach out to Gooferman. We’ve helped hundreds of people navigate the whole process without the nasty surprises.
Get in touch today, and let’s make your move abroad smoother and cheaper than you thought it was possible.