In business since 2000, International Van Lines is America’s fastest-growing mover handling over 20,000 moves per year.
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Plan your budget in a few steps. Pick national or international, your route, home size or square/cubic feet, then get a range aligned with IVL pricing tables—not a binding quote.
For door-to-door international household moves, most IVL customers plan between $3,500 and $18,000, depending on home size, destination region, and service level. Smaller LCL shipments can fall lower; full-home container moves to distant regions can exceed that range. Use the calculator above for a breakdown, then request a free quote for exact pricing.
Typical planning ranges by popular lanes are below. Figures are estimates only—your quote may differ based on volume, season, and services.
| Lane | 1–2 bedroom (est.) | 3–4 bedroom (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| US → United Kingdom | $3,500–$7,000 | $8,000–$12,000 |
| US → Australia | $4,000–$9,000 | $8,700–$12,500 |
| US → Germany / Europe | $3,500–$7,000 | $8,000–$12,000 |
| US → Canada | $2,800–$6,500 | $5,500–$11,000 |
Related: how much it costs to move overseas · long-distance moving cost calculator · international moving services
International moves are priced by volume (cubic feet) or container size, plus the services you select. Door-to-door quotes typically include packing, origin and destination trucking, ocean freight, customs-related fees, and delivery at destination.
Most moving companies will allow you to customize a shipping solution around your budget and requirements. They will also provide tips on how to save money on your move.
Published door-to-door ranges on this page run from about $3,500 for smaller shipments to Europe up to $18,000+ for larger homes shipping to Australia or Africa. Your total depends mainly on:
Most moving companies will allow you to customize a shipping solution around your budget and requirements. They will also provide tips on how to save money on your move.
When planning your budget, it’s crucial to account for these potential additional costs:
By considering these factors and planning carefully, you can better manage the expenses associated with your international move, ensuring a smoother transition to your new home abroad.
Planning an international move can be an exciting yet daunting journey, especially when budgeting for the transition. Here’s a breakdown of typical expenses you might expect when moving from the United States to various popular destinations across the globe:
Each international move is unique, influenced by personal preferences and logistical needs. Consider consulting with several moving companies to find a service that fits your budget and requirements. Additionally, inquire about potential fees for customs clearance, insurance, and other contingencies that might arise.
Understanding International Moving Costs by Home Size When planning an international move, one of the biggest factors to consider is the size of your home. Generally, smaller homes are less expensive to move abroad compared to larger ones. Here’s a look at the average costs associated with different home sizes across various continents.
When planning an international move, one of the key factors influencing the cost is the size of your home. Smaller homes generally incur lower costs compared to larger ones. However, the continent to which you're moving also plays a significant role in determining the overall expense. Let's break down these costs to provide a clear picture.
Each of these figures represents an average range and can vary based on factors such as specific location, additional services, and time of year. Understanding these costs can better prepare you for the financial aspects of your move, helping to ensure a smoother transition to your new home abroad.
The variation in costs is influenced by factors such as distance, demand, and logistics involved in moving specific household sizes. Smaller homes benefit from needing fewer resources, while larger homes may require additional services, including specialized packing and handling.
Understanding these cost structures can help in better planning your move, ensuring that you set a realistic budget for your relocation.
If you’re moving two bedrooms or more, chances are you will need an FCL. Most international moving companies offer 20′,40′, and 40′ high cube containers. The volume of your household goods will determine the size container you will need.
Below you will find the average Cost of FCL service (port to port):
The origin and destination port will be the most significant cost factor. Shipping costs also vary based on factors such as time of year. Our international moving cost calculator will help you put the pieces together to help determine costs. You can also speak to a moving company to gather more information.
An LCL shipment is a minor move that ships in a consolidated container. Your household goods will be grouped with others sent from the same origin and destination points.
Most international moving companies offer LCL service to and from most major ports. Depending on the service you request, the cost can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Below you will find the average Cost of an LCL (port to port):
Door-to-door moving is suggested. However, if you’re on a tight budget, you can consider a port service. An international move has many moving parts you can speak to your moving company about.
The cost of shipping your household goods by air is typically double that of ocean freight and can range from $3000 to $10,000. The weight, volume, and destination are the most significant cost factors.
If you’re in a hurry, air freight is your best choice. However, expensive household goods will get to their destination quickly. If you’re interested in air freight service, you can request a quote from the international mover of your choice.
Not all international moving companies offer air freight, so it’s essential to do the proper research before seeking a moving estimate.
An international moving company’s professional packing costs $500 to $1500. The amount of packing supplies and time will have the most significant cost factor.
Having an international moving company professional pack for you can be costly, and self-packing can save money. However, it’s worth considering hiring the pros for many reasons. Below are things to consider when self-packing for an international move.
Packing service should always be considered, especially if you have a large household. The few hundred dollars you may save can be even more costly in the end.
The cost of port and customs fees are dependent on the destination country and what you’re shipping. However, you can expect to pay $300 to $800. Most international moving companies can include customs fees as part of the quote.
The destination country will have the most significant impact on customs fees. It would help to check with customs or speak with your moving company regarding the costs.
If you’re moving door to door, they are typically included. However, every international moving company works differently, so you should check it out.
If you have household goods picked up, trucking costs will be $300 to $800. You will need to have your LCL shipment trucked to the port, or your container trucked to the port.
You can eliminate trucking costs by delivering household goods to a nearby port warehouse, but not all moving companies offer that service.
If you’re on a tight budget and want to deliver your household goods, it’s always best to speak with International Van Lines directly to help with planning. You can use the international moving cost calculator for planning.
The cost of shipping a car overseas is $1800 to $4000. The service you require will have the biggest impact on the cost. The make and model of your vehicle can also affect the price.
Below you will find the different shipping options:
To help you plan, you can use the moving cost calculator. International Van Lines can assist you if you’re searching for a professional moving company.
Most moving companies that handle overseas shipping will offer some insurance. International Van Lines charges between 3% to 4% of the good declared value. Below you will find the different insurance options:
You can use the international moving cost calculator to help with planning, but you should always speak with your mover about insurance.
When moving abroad, ocean freight is the standard mode of transportation. The cubic feet and service are how international moving services are calculated. Below you will find a list of services that should be considered when calculating moving costs:
The items mentioned above are services that are involved in moving overseas. If you’re moving door-to-door, you will want to consider all the above services.
There is other shipping option that can help reduce the cost of your move.
Knowing how to calculate your cubic feet is essential when you’re moving internationally. It will help you determine the size of the space you need for your belongings and ensure that everything fits into your new home.
To calculate cubic feet:
For example, let's say you have a box that is 24 inches long, 18 inches wide, and 12 inches tall. The volume of that box would be 4,608 cubic inches (24 × 18 x 12). Dividing that by 1,728 would give you 2.67 cubic feet.
Remember that not all items will be a perfect rectangle, so you may need to get creative with your measurements.
When planning an international move, it’s essential to factor in the cost of professional packing services. It can be a significant expense, but it’s worth ensuring that your belongings are safe and secure during transit.
There are a few different ways to calculate the cost of professional packing services. The first is to ask your moving company for a quote. They will be able to give you an estimate based on the size and scope of your move.
Another way to calculate the cost of professional packing services is to use an online calculator. It can be a helpful tool if you’re unsure how much packing will be required for your particular move. Generally speaking, professional packing will make up about 10% of the total cost.
Ocean freight will cost $350 to $1500. The required cubic feet or container size will be the most significant cost factor. You’ll also want to consider the origin and destination ports.
Remember that each moving company works differently, and the mover’s costs can vary. Another factor to consider is the peak moving season, May through August. Rates will increase by about 25%.
If you’re moving overseas, chances are there will be trucking charges in your move. Your goods will need to get to and from the port. Trucking charges are based on the volume of your move or container size.
For example, if you’re moving a 20′ container from Los Angeles, you can expect to pay $500 to $700 for trucking. However, if you have a minor move, you can expect to pay $250 to $400.
It’s always best to speak with your moving company directly about the details of your move. However, you can use the international moving cost calculator to help plan.
Full destination service is $500 to $2500. The size of your move is the most significant cost factor. However, you will also want to consider port-related charges like terminal handling fees.
Moving your stuff from the port of entry to your final destination will be a cost. It’s called full destination service. Most international moving companies will include full destination on a door-to-door move.
If you decide on a port pickup service, it will reduce the price dramatically. Any professional moving company can walk you through the process and help you calculate moving costs.
Hiring a moving company is only one part of the equation. There are many costs to consider when moving from the US abroad. Below you will find some expenses you may need to pay.
Budget separately for flights, visa or residency fees, and living costs in your destination country. Those expenses are not part of your household goods freight quote. See our guide on total cost to move overseas for a broader budget checklist.
There are a few key ways to reduce the cost of an international move:
Following these tips can save significant money on your international move.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there are over 5500 licensed movers in the United States. However, only 5% are licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to perform ocean freight services. Below are tips on finding an international moving company.
These tips should help you locate the right international moving company.
When moving to a new country, giving yourself enough time to plan and prepare for the big move is essential. Depending on your specific circumstances, you may need to book your move date several months in advance.
International Van Lines created an international moving cost calculator based on general costs. However, it would help if you spoke with professional moving companies about the cost.
There are many variables when moving overseas. The size of your move, destination, and the service you require significantly impact the cost.
It’s always best to get three moving quotes and ensure all services are comparable.
International Van Lines is FMC-licensed for ocean freight and completes more than 20,000 moves per year. Use the calculator on this page for planning ranges, then call or request a quote for pricing tied to your inventory and destination.
Questions and answers marked below need final copy from IVL before publication.
