Packing for an International Move: What’s Actually Worth Taking
Important Disclaimer: Shipping costs, import restrictions, and customs regulations mentioned in this article are general estimates as of early 2025 and vary significantly based on destination country, volume, weight, and current market conditions. Import restrictions and prohibited items vary by country and change frequently - always verify current restrictions with destination country customs authorities. Cost comparisons between shipping and replacing items are estimates only. International Van Lines provides customized quotes based on your specific situation and can advise on current restrictions.
Staring at your fully furnished home thinking about what to pack for an international move is overwhelming. Jennifer felt paralyzed looking at a decade’s worth of accumulated stuff knowing she needed to choose what would ship to Singapore and what wouldn’t.
Should she take the IKEA furniture that cost $2,000 total but would cost $1,800 to ship? What about the fancy KitchenAid mixer she loves but weighs a ton? Her collection of winter coats definitely weren’t needed in tropical Singapore, but what if she moved somewhere cold later?
After three weeks of agonizing decisions, Jennifer shipped two-thirds of what she originally planned. Six months into her Singapore life, she realized she could have shipped even less. Half the stuff she agonized over sits unused in closets while items she thought were unnecessary she ended up buying again overseas.
Let’s break down how to actually make these decisions smartly.
The Core Question: Replace or Ship?
Every item in your home needs to pass one test: Is shipping this item cheaper and more practical than buying a replacement at your destination?
The formula isn’t purely financial, though. Sentimental value, difficulty replacing the item overseas, and quality considerations matter too.
But start with the math. If something costs $200 to replace and costs $150 to ship including your share of the container, insurance, and customs fees, the financial answer is replace it. Add in the hassle factor, and replacing often wins.
When Shipping Makes Sense
Ship items when:
Replacement cost exceeds shipping cost significantly. Quality furniture, good mattresses, valuable electronics, and nice household goods fall here. A $2,000 couch costs maybe $300-400 to ship (as part of a larger container shipment). Buying equivalent quality overseas costs $2,000 again.
The item is difficult or impossible to replace overseas. Specialized equipment, items only available in the US, or things with specific features you need might not exist in your destination country.
Sentimental value makes it irreplaceable. Family heirlooms, gifts from loved ones, photo albums, artwork—these have value beyond dollars. If losing the item would genuinely upset you, ship it.
You own it free and clear with years of useful life remaining. A three-year-old quality mattress you love with ten years of life left is worth shipping. A ten-year-old mattress nearing end of life isn’t.
The item is expensive to replace and you use it regularly. Your $600 professional blender you use daily? Ship it. That bread maker you used twice? Leave it.
When Replacing Makes Sense
Replace rather than ship when:
Shipping costs approach or exceed replacement cost. Cheap furniture from IKEA or Target is almost never worth shipping internationally. Sell it, donate it, or leave it. Buy new at your destination.
The item won’t work in your destination country. Voltage differences, regional compatibility issues, or format incompatibilities make some electronics worthless overseas.
The item doesn’t fit your new lifestyle. Moving from a house to an apartment? That giant sectional couch doesn’t fit. Moving to the tropics? Winter coats, snow blowers, and heavy blankets serve no purpose.
The item is old and nearing end of useful life. Why ship a refrigerator that’s 12 years old and might die next year? It’ll probably die during shipping anyway.
You don’t actually use it. Be honest. That treadmill you’ve used three times in two years? You’re not suddenly going to start using it overseas. Let it go.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Let’s walk through common categories and think through what typically makes sense.
Furniture
Quality hardwood furniture is usually worth shipping. A solid dining table, real wood dresser, or quality couch that cost $1,000+ new and still has years of life probably costs less to ship than replace with equivalent quality.
Cheap particleboard furniture isn’t worth it. IKEA bookcases, Target dressers, and flat-pack furniture costs more to ship than replace. Sell it cheap locally and buy new overseas.
Size matters. Will your furniture physically fit in your new space? Homes in Europe and Asia are often smaller than American homes. That king-size bed frame might not fit in your new bedroom.
Measure carefully. Know the dimensions of your new place before deciding what furniture to ship. One couple shipped a massive sectional couch that literally wouldn’t fit through their Tokyo apartment doorway.
Appliances
This category is complicated by voltage differences.
The US uses 110-120V electricity. Most of the world uses 220-240V. US appliances don’t work on 220V power without transformers. Transformers add cost, bulk, and can be finicky.
Small appliances: Generally not worth shipping unless they’re expensive professional equipment. Your $40 coffee maker? Buy a new one overseas that matches local voltage. Your $400 Breville espresso machine? Maybe worth shipping with a transformer.
Large appliances: Usually not worth shipping. Refrigerators, washing machines, and dryers are expensive to ship, heavy, voltage-incompatible, and might not fit in your new space. Many international apartments include appliances anyway.
Exception: If you’re moving to another 110V country (parts of Latin America, Japan with modifications), appliances are more feasible.
Kitchen Items
Dishes, glassware, pots, pans, utensils—these are personal calls.
Basic stuff is cheap to replace. Target sells a complete dish set for $50. Is shipping 30 pounds of dishes worth it to avoid spending $50?
Special items are different. Your grandmother’s china, the handmade pottery you collected, the chef-quality cookware you invested in—these warrant shipping.
Consider weight. Kitchen items are heavy, and international shipping charges by weight or volume. A complete set of dishes for 12 people weighs a lot and takes significant container space.
Many people ship a curated selection: favorite pots and pans, special serving dishes, essential utensils. They replace basic everyday dishes cheaply at destination.
Clothing
Ship the clothes you actually wear regularly and that fit your destination’s climate. Don’t ship your “maybe someday” wardrobe.
Moving to a tropical climate? Winter coats, heavy sweaters, and boots go into storage or get donated. You might need one jacket if you visit cold places, but you don’t need your entire winter wardrobe.
Moving to a cold climate from somewhere warm? Your collection of shorts and sundresses becomes way less useful.
Professional clothing might need replacing anyway. Business attire standards vary internationally. What’s appropriate in New York might be too formal or not formal enough elsewhere.
Shipping clothes is relatively cheap per pound compared to furniture, so it’s okay to be generous with clothing you actually wear.
Electronics
Electronics are tricky with voltage differences and regional compatibility.
Laptops and phones: Take these with you in luggage. Modern electronics with universal power adapters (100-240V) work worldwide with plug adapters. Don’t pack these in shipping containers.
TVs: Usually not worth shipping. Different countries use different broadcast standards and formats. A US TV might work with streaming services in Europe but not with broadcast or cable. Plus TVs are fragile and expensive to ship. Buy a TV locally.
Gaming consoles: New consoles work internationally, but games might have region restrictions. Check compatibility before shipping.
Home theater equipment: Only ship if it’s high-end and worth the hassle. Budget equipment is better replaced with local equivalents.
Books
Books are heavy and expensive to ship by weight. But book lovers have a hard time parting with their collections.
Compromise: Ship books with significant value—signed editions, rare books, favorites you reread, reference books you use. Donate the rest.
E-readers make this decision easier. If you’re willing to transition to digital reading, one Kindle weighs less than a single hardcover book.
Bed and Bath
Mattresses are personal. If you love your mattress and it’s relatively new, shipping might make sense despite the size and weight. But mattresses are available everywhere, and many people choose to buy new at their destination.
Bedding faces sizing issues. Bed sizes vary by country. US queen sheets might not fit a UK double or European queen. Research bed sizes at your destination before shipping bedding.
Towels are cheap and easily replaced. Unless you’re deeply attached to specific towels, buying new ones overseas is easier.
Art and Decor
Art, photographs, and decorative items with personal meaning are worth shipping. These make your new place feel like home.
Generic decor from HomeGoods or Hobby Lobby? Not worth it. You can find similar items anywhere.
Pack art carefully or have professionals pack it. Damaged artwork can’t be replaced.
Sports and Hobby Equipment
If you actively use it, ship it. Your road bike, golf clubs, or specialized hobby equipment is expensive to replace and important to your lifestyle.
If it’s been gathering dust, leave it. That tennis racket you haven’t used in five years isn’t suddenly going to see action overseas.
Consider whether you’ll have space for bulky equipment in your new home.
Kids’ Stuff
Kids need familiar items during transitions. Ship their favorite toys, comfort items, and things that make them feel at home.
But be selective. Kids accumulate massive amounts of toys. They don’t need every toy making the journey. Choose favorites and donate the rest.
School-age kids might need specific books or educational materials depending on their school situation.
Special Considerations
Voltage and Compatibility
US electrical system runs on 110-120V, 60Hz power. Most countries use 220-240V, 50Hz power. This matters enormously for appliances and electronics.
Three types of devices exist:
Single voltage (110V only): These don’t work overseas without a transformer. Most US appliances fall here—microwaves, blenders, hair dryers, etc.
Dual voltage: These work on both 110V and 220V power. Check the label. If it says “100-240V,” it’s dual voltage and works anywhere with the correct plug adapter. Most modern laptop and phone chargers are dual voltage.
240V only: Devices designed for international markets. These don’t work in the US without transformers.
Transformers (voltage converters) let you run US appliances on foreign power. But they’re bulky, somewhat expensive ($50-200 depending on wattage needed), and can fail. For anything you use frequently, buying local voltage versions makes more sense than relying on transformers.
Customs and Import Restrictions
Some items face import restrictions or high duties.
Used household goods typically import duty-free if you’re establishing residence and owned them for some period before moving (often 6-12 months).
New items purchased shortly before moving might face duties.
Certain items are restricted or prohibited entirely in some countries. Research your destination’s import rules for:
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Firearms and weapons
- Medications
- Plants and seeds
- Food products
- Cultural items and antiquities
Climate Considerations
Your new climate dictates what makes sense.
Moving to humid tropical climates? Leather goods, certain electronics, and items susceptible to mold might deteriorate quickly without climate control.
Moving to extremely cold climates? Make sure items can handle freezing temperatures.
Moving to dry desert climates? Wood furniture might crack without humidity.
Housing Size
International homes are often smaller than American homes. That matters for furniture and storage.
If you’re moving from a 2,500 sq ft house to a 1,200 sq ft apartment, you physically cannot fit all your furniture. Measure your new space and plan accordingly.
Storage is often limited. That vast closet system you have might not exist in your new place.
Some countries favor different furniture styles. Beds sit lower, couches are smaller, and tall dressers replace wide dressers.
The Minimalist Approach
Some people approach international moves as opportunity to reset and live more minimally. They ship very little and embrace starting fresh.
Benefits of minimal shipping:
- Lower moving costs
- Faster move process
- Less customs complexity
- Forces you to evaluate what you actually need
- Makes future moves easier
Challenges:
- Initial costs replacing essentials
- Time spent shopping and setting up
- Losing items with sentimental value
- Potential regret over items you wish you’d kept
There’s no right answer. Some people thrive with fresh starts. Others need familiar belongings for emotional comfort.
Smart Packing Strategies
Once you’ve decided what to ship, pack strategically.
Create an essentials box or two. Pack items you’ll need immediately when you arrive: basic dishes, clothes for first week, toiletries, sheets and towels for one bed, basic cleaning supplies. Label these clearly and mark them to ship via air freight if possible, or as first items off the container.
Pack an accurate inventory. List contents of each box. This helps with customs, claims if items are damaged, and finding items after arrival.
Take photos and videos of valuable items before packing. Document condition for insurance claims if needed.
Pack fragile items carefully or let professional movers handle packing. Your time is less important than protecting valuable items.
Label boxes with contents and destination room. This helps movers place boxes correctly and helps you unpack.
What to Do With Items You’re Not Shipping
You have several options for items staying behind:
Sell: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, OfferUp, and garage sales turn unwanted items into cash.
Donate: Charities like Goodwill, Salvation Army, or local organizations accept household goods. Get donation receipts for tax deductions.
Store: Storage units work if you might return to the US or aren’t sure about keeping items. Budget $80-200+ monthly for storage depending on size needed.
Give to friends and family: Your moving-away gives loved ones opportunity to claim items they’ve always liked.
Trash: Some items simply need to be discarded. That’s okay.
Start this process early. Don’t wait until the week before moving to decide what to do with everything.
Making Your Move Easier
International moving is complex enough without making it harder by shipping things that aren’t worth the cost and hassle. Be strategic about what you take, honest about what you’ll actually use, and willing to let go of items that don’t justify their shipping costs.
When you’re ready to ship your carefully curated belongings, working with experienced international movers ensures your items arrive safely. We handle the logistics so you can focus on your transition.
Get Your International Moving Quote
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does international shipping cost per pound?
It varies tremendously by destination and shipping method, but roughly $1-3 per pound for container shipping to most destinations when shipping a full household. Small shipments cost more per pound than large shipments.
Should I ship my car?
Only if it’s special to you or vehicles in your destination country are significantly more expensive. Factor in shipping costs ($1,500-5,000+), import duties (often 10-50% of car’s value), and compliance modifications. For most standard vehicles, selling in the US and buying locally makes more financial sense.
Can I ship food and spices?
Generally no. Most countries prohibit or heavily restrict food imports due to agricultural concerns. Some commercially packaged goods might be allowed in small quantities, but shipping your pantry isn’t practical.
What if I change my mind after shipping?
Once your container ships, you can’t remove items. Be certain about your decisions before the moving company packs your shipment. This is why we recommend thinking through decisions carefully and starting the planning process early.
Should I get insurance?
Yes, absolutely. Basic liability coverage is inadequate. Get full replacement value insurance for your shipment. It costs 1-3% of your declared value but provides real protection if damage or loss occurs.
How early should I start planning what to take?
At least 2-3 months before your move. This gives you time to thoughtfully decide what ships, what stays, and arrange sale or donation of items you’re leaving behind. Last-minute decisions lead to regret—either shipping things you shouldn’t have or leaving things you wish you’d taken.
