Shipping vs. Selling Your Belongings When You Move Abroad

The question is not really "ship or sell." It is "what is worth paying to move?" A 20-foot container can hold a modest house's worth of furniture, but by the time you add packing, insurance, port fees, customs brokerage, and delivery, many families find that most of what they shipped could have been bought locally for less. A few things are worth almost any price to bring. Most are not.

The three ways to move your things

Sea freight

You can rent a full container (commonly 20 or 40 feet) or pay for part of a shared container, sometimes called groupage or less-than-container load. Shared shipping costs less but can take longer, because your goods wait until the container fills. Door-to-door service includes packing, loading, ocean freight, customs clearance, and delivery; port-to-port is cheaper but leaves you to arrange clearance and trucking at the destination.

Get at least three written quotes, and ask each mover exactly what is included at the destination end. Destination port charges and customs fees are the most common surprise. Ask, too, whether the quote is binding or an estimate.

Air freight

Air shipping is fast and expensive. It makes sense for a small amount of what you will need in the first month, especially if a sea shipment will take a while.

Suitcases

A growing number of people move with only checked bags, perhaps sending a few boxes later. With two or three large suitcases per person and a couple of paid extra bags, you can bring clothing, kitchen essentials, documents, medications, and keepsakes. Pair this approach with a furnished rental for the first few months and you can buy what you actually need once you know your space.

What is worth shipping (and what is not)

Sort everything into four groups:

• Bring: irreplaceable items (photos, heirlooms, important documents), high-quality items you would struggle to find at your destination, specialized gear, and items for a medical need.
• Sell: large furniture, appliances, cars, and anything you could easily buy again. Older apartments abroad often have smaller rooms, narrow stairs, and no space for a king bed or sectional sofa.
• Store: a small amount you are not ready to part with, if your move might not be permanent.
• Give away or donate: everything else.

An honest test: would you pay the item's shipping cost to buy it again? If a bookshelf costs a few hundred dollars to ship and a similar one costs less locally, sell it. Prices vary widely by country, so check local listings during your scouting trip.

Customs: the one-time household goods exemption

Many countries let people who are moving their residence import their used household goods without paying import duty, but usually once, and with conditions. The details vary by country, so check the customs agency of your destination, but the European Union's version shows the typical shape. According to the German and Austrian customs authorities, relief generally applies when:

• You are moving your normal residence into the EU from outside it.
• You lived outside the EU for at least twelve continuous months.
• You owned and used the goods for at least six months before the move (new purchases generally do not qualify).
• You import the goods within twelve months of establishing residence.
• You do not sell, lend, rent out, or give away the goods for twelve months after clearance without notifying customs.

Alcohol, tobacco, commercial vehicles, and trade goods are generally excluded. Customs may ask for proof of your new residence, such as a lease, residence permit, or employment contract, plus invoices showing the goods are yours and used. Many countries also require a detailed, itemized inventory.

Outside the EU, rules vary widely. Some countries tie the exemption to a specific residency visa, some require that the shipment arrive within a set number of months of your first entry, and some charge duty on electronics or appliances regardless. Some programs require that your residency be approved before the shipment clears. Ask your mover and the country's customs agency before you ship, and keep every customs document.

Vehicles: usually not worth shipping

Shipping an American car abroad rarely makes financial sense. Common obstacles:

• Import duties and taxes that can be a large share of the car's value. Austria, for example, charges a consumption tax when an imported car is first registered, even for relocating residents.
• Age limits. Some countries restrict or prohibit importing older used vehicles.
• Standards and conversion. US-spec vehicles may need modifications to meet local emissions, lighting, and safety rules before registration.
• Parts and service. Models sold in the US may not be sold locally, making repairs slow and expensive.

For most people, selling the car in the US and buying locally after you arrive is simpler and cheaper. If you have an unusual vehicle you want to keep, ask the destination customs agency for a written assessment before you ship.

Electronics: voltage and plugs

The US uses 120-volt, 60-hertz electricity and Type A and B plugs. Much of the world, including most of Europe, Africa, and Asia, uses 220–240 volts at 50 hertz with different plug shapes. Several Latin American countries use voltages close to the US standard, but plugs and wiring quality vary. Check your destination before you pack.

What that means in practice:

• Dual-voltage devices (labeled "100–240V, 50/60Hz") work anywhere with a simple plug adapter. Most laptop, phone, tablet, and camera chargers fall in this group.
• Single-voltage devices rated only for 120V will be damaged if plugged into 220–240V. They need a step-down transformer sized for the appliance's wattage.
• High-wattage appliances like hair dryers, kettles, toasters, and space heaters need large, heavy transformers. It is usually easier to sell them and buy local versions.
• Appliances with motors or clocks can run poorly on the wrong frequency (50 versus 60 hertz), even with a transformer.
• Televisions and large appliances may not be worth shipping; check voltage, broadcast standards, and warranty coverage abroad.
• Surge protection is worth buying locally in places with unstable power.

Storage units: when they make sense

A US storage unit can be a sensible bridge if you are not sure the move is permanent. It lets you try a country for a year before giving up furniture you love. But storage costs add up month after month, and many people pay to store items for years that end up being worth less than the rent they paid.

A few guidelines:

• Set a review date, such as one year after the move, and decide then.
• Store only items that are valuable, sentimental, or expensive to replace.
• Consider a family member's garage or basement instead, with a clear agreement.
• Check how your storage address and contents interact with your domicile. Keeping property in a state can be one factor in whether that state still considers you a resident. See state taxes and domicile.

A simple plan for selling

1. Start six months out. Selling a household takes longer than you expect. See the moving abroad checklist for timing.
2. Sell large items first, leaving yourself a bed, a table, and basic kitchen goods for the final weeks.
3. Use an estate sale or consignment for whole-house contents if you are short on time.
4. Digitize photos, papers, and records you do not need in original form.
5. Donate the rest and keep receipts for tax purposes.
6. Plan your first weeks abroad in a furnished rental so you are not rushed into buying. Our housing abroad guide explains how furnished and unfurnished rentals differ.

The lighter you move, the more freedom you have to change your mind about neighborhoods, cities, or even countries in your first year. That flexibility is worth more than most of what is in your garage.

Last reviewed October 18, 2026. General information only, not legal, immigration, or tax advice. Requirements change, so confirm with official sources before you apply. See our disclaimer.