Shipping & Moving Logistics for International Relocation
A nomad packs a bag. A genuine relocation raises a harder question: what do you actually ship, what do you sell, and what does it cost either way.
The Tech Packing List elsewhere on this site is built for a nomad's carry-on-sized kit. A family or retiree relocation is a different problem entirely — deciding what's worth shipping internationally versus selling or storing, and what that actually costs.
International household shipping is generally priced by volume (container share) or weight, and costs scale fast — get quotes from at least two or three international movers before assuming shipping is cheaper than replacing furniture locally, since for many destinations covered on this site, buying new furniture on arrival works out cheaper than shipping existing furniture internationally once duties and freight are factored in.
Customs duties and import restrictions vary significantly by destination and are worth researching specifically before shipping anything, not after it's already in transit — some countries have duty-free allowances for personal household goods when accompanied by a valid long-term residency visa, which is worth confirming applies to your specific visa category before assuming it does. A real, confirmed example: Philippines SRRV holders get a one-time duty-free importation allowance of up to $7,000 for household goods and personal effects — exactly the kind of visa-specific perk worth checking for your own destination and category rather than assuming it's universal.
A practical middle path many long-term relocators use: ship a smaller container of genuinely irreplaceable items (documents, specific furniture, sentimental items) while selling or storing the rest, rather than treating the move as all-or-nothing. This generally costs meaningfully less than a full household shipment while avoiding the total loss of starting over with literally nothing.
This is informational, not advice. Visa, tax, and immigration rules change, and a general guide can't account for your specific situation. Before you act on anything here, confirm current details with the relevant embassy, consulate, or a licensed immigration or tax professional. See our editorial policy for how we verify what we publish.