If you’re moving overseas, you already have a ton on your mind: packing up your household, finding a home in your new country, maybe preparing for a new job. On top of that, you have to figure out how to move all your stuff.
Shipping personal items overseas in an ocean container is much more complicated than a domestic van move. You’ll need to learn what you can and can’t ship in an ocean container, complete paperwork, prepare to clear Customs, load all your things into the container and secure it so it stays safe throughout the trip.
This guide to shipping household goods overseas explains the chronological steps involved to move them without damage, delay or extra cost.
Choose an Experienced Partner
The most important step in shipping personal goods overseas is your first one: choosing an experienced international moving company. The right partner will guide you through each step of the process, from door to door. They will manage many of the details for you, and give you instructions for handling the rest on your own.
Get a container delivered to your home for loading
Your personal goods shipping company will make this appointment. The cheapest option is to keep the container for two or three hours before the driver takes it away. That means having items boxed up and ready beforehand. If you need more time, you can pay to keep the container for an extra hour or two, or even a couple of days.
Check in advance with your local government for any regulations prohibiting trucks of a certain size from entering your street. Make sure there’s an accessible, legal, safe place to park the container, especially if you’ll be keeping it for more than a few hours. In a dense urban area, it could be hard to find a parking spot big enough. And you might need a permit, especially if you plan to keep the container overnight.
Many truckers don’t want to park a container on the street for a long period of time, for liability reasons. If you need to keep a container on an urban street, you or your freight forwarder will have to search for a trucking company willing to oblige.
Load the Container
To keep loading time to a minimum, pack everything and seal it up before the container arrives, and stage as much as you can. Here are some good packing tips for shipping furniture overseas.
Unlike domestic household moves using a moving company’s truck, you alone are responsible for loading an ocean container for an international move. Label your boxes clearly so you can quickly identify the contents on the other side. Also, keep a list of where in the container you put each item so Customs can find them quickly if an inspection happens.
A shipping container doesn’t come with a ramp. If you use dollies or hand carts to roll items on, you’ll need to build or rent your own ramp.
Use ratcheting straps to keep items safely locked in place. Wrap the straps around the hooks along the container’s floor and roof.
Despite your precautions, there’s always some risk of damage. Ask your insurance company about marine cargo insurance to protect your property. Your moving partner can also advise you.
When your container is ready for the trucker to take it away, the driver shuts the door, seals the container, records the seal number and hauls it to a rail terminal or directly to the seaport.
To help remember all these details, see our checklist on shipping household goods overseas.
Prepare properly to minimize duty payments
As a rule, your shipment does not go through a Customs clearance process when it leaves the country. The one exception is your motor vehicle, which requires its own export paperwork. More on international car shipping later.
On the destination side, personal effects can typically enter a foreign country without duties or taxes, but be careful about quantities. To Customs, two cases of household cleanser from Costco looks like you’re bringing in supplies for a janitorial business, leading to duty payments.
Jewelry and other small, high-value items should go in your carry-on bag. Bring your firearms on as checked luggage, as well. Check with the authorities in your destination country to make sure you’re allowed to bring them in, as the rules may vary. Also, bring documentation to prove you owned the items legally in the US.
While you can avoid paying duty in the country of import, one catch is that the country you’re leaving must have been your residence for at least 12 consecutive months.
Say you’re a Polish citizen in the US with plans to return to Poland. If you’ve been in the US for less than 12 months, when you go through Polish Customs, you’ll pay duty on any personal possessions you bought in the states. You’ll also pay value added tax (VAT) on those items. But if you’ve been in the US for at least 12 months, you won’t pay duty or VAT on those goods, assuming they meet one more condition: Only items you’ve owned for at least six months can enter duty free.
Customs agents won’t scrutinize each product to figure out its age. But a major item that looks new, or that you pack in its original box, will probably catch an agent’s eye. To avoid a duty payment, be ready to prove that you bought it more than six months ago.
To avoid paying duties on qualified household goods being shipped internationally, you'll need the following:
- At least a year’s worth of rent receipts, bills for gas or electric service, landline telephone bills, or other official paperwork that proves you’ve lived in the country you are leaving for at least 12 months, without a break.
- Paperwork from a local government office in the destination country, proving that you have registered a permanent address or have applied to do so.
- A sales receipt for any item that appears to be new, proving you’ve owned it for at least six months.
- Motor vehicle title and registration, to prove that you have owned it and had it registered for at least six months.
When it comes to income tax filings, a good tax accountant can save you money by pointing out deductions you didn’t know were available. When it comes moving overseas, a freight forwarder with strong experience in shipping household goods internationally can guide you through the complex processes of shipping and customs clearance so you minimize move-related expenses.
Unload at the destination
Once your container clears Customs, your shipping company will have it trucked to your new location, where you are responsible for unloading. Most people need only two or three hours to unload.
You might want to build a ramp to help you unload your goods from the container. But many people simply station a couple of helpers in the container to pass items to people on the ground.
While rules that restrict trucks on certain streets are rare in the US, they’re more common in other countries and, of course, the details vary from place to place. So it’s especially important to check local regulations before you park a shipping container on the street at your new home.
Special Considerations for Shipping Household Goods Overseas
Here are some additional considerations that may apply when shipping personal items overseas.
Shipping vehicles
Due to emission regulations, many EU countries won’t let you import older cars. The cutoff varies from country to country. If the car qualifies as an antique (25 years old or more), it’s not a problem. Check with the Customs office in your destination country.
You can import your car duty free if you can prove you’ve lived in the states for at least one year and have owned and registered it at least six months prior; in some EU countries it’s a year. For leased vehicles, it can be tricky. Some states list you as the owner during the leasing period, while others list the bank or credit firm. If you’ve become the owner free and clear for less than six months, you owe the import duties.
Since a shipping container doesn’t come with a loading ramp, you’ll need a flatbed tow truck or ramps to load it. It’s recommended to use an experienced freight forwarder to arrange this. The car should be backed in with the windshield facing out, so the customs officer can easily examine the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Goods shipped inside the car may not be covered by marine cargo insurance, so the ocean carrier would not be liable for damage claims. Some countries have strict import rules for shipping personal items overseas inside vehicles. Anything inside the car must be secured to prevent damage. And the vehicle itself needs to be properly fastened inside the container with wheel chocks (2x4s screwed into the wooden floor), ratchet straps, and the parking brake set.
A word on vehicle insurance. When you take a car overseas, you can drive it for a limited amount of time with your US license plates, but your US insurance doesn’t apply. You’ll need to register and insure your car in the new country.
Getting the paperwork right
Shipping personal goods overseas involves more than just loading and hauling; there’s a good amount of paperwork. For instance, you’ll need to produce three copies of a list of all your household goods being shipped overseas, each for a different purpose:
- The first copy, in English, goes to your freight forwarder, which will use it to produce a Bill of Lading, a Shipper’s Export Declaration and any other necessary documents. The list should include estimated values and weights for major items.
- A second copy, in the language of your destination country, goes to the Customs office where you clear your shipment.
- The third copy, in any language you like, stays with you. This list should name categories, not individual items: “8 boxes of clothing, 6 boxes of dishes, 4 boxes of children’s toys,” etc.
Label and number each box, bag or tote you plan to load into the container, with matching labels on your copy of the list. This will help you quickly find whatever items a Customs agent might want to inspect.
Common mistakes people make when shipping personal items overseas
Based on I.C.E. Transport’s 35+ years as an international moving company, here are common mistakes that cause issues when shipping household goods overseas.
Underestimating customs rules & import regulations
Many people don’t fully research what items are restricted, prohibited, or taxed in their destination country. Things like electronics, plants, alcohol, or new furniture often have special rules.
Incomplete or incorrect documentation causes delays, inspections, or even seizure of goods. A vague inventory or missing serial numbers can trigger extra scrutiny. Not understanding country-specific import duties or value-added tax (VAT) assessments can lead to surprise costs.
Your international moving company will take care of any export paperwork for US Customs on the outbound side. But unless you’re moving to a place that’s near the destination port in your new country, you’ll have to take care of import customs yourself. Your logistics partner will direct you to locate a customs office close to your new home. Contact an official there, tell them you’re importing a container of personal goods on a certain date, and they’ll tell you what paperwork is required.
In that case, the freight forwarder files for an in-transit permit with customs at the port of entry, allowing the container to leave and be moved by truck to the customs office nearest your new home. Documents are then verified and duties and taxes assessed, if applicable.
Poor packing & labeling practices
Packing fragile or high-value items improperly, including the use of thin or weak boxes, insufficient padding, or the wrong materials, can lead to damage in transit.
Not creating a good inventory tied to box labels is another issue. When boxes aren't clearly labelled inside and out, it complicates customs inspection and unloading. Mixing prohibited or delicate items with regular goods without proper packing or disclosure, such as aerosols, batteries, and liquids, can also cause customs issues and delays.
Mislabeling boxes can also lead to problems on the other end. You need to know which household items are disallowed or regulated in your new country, such as hazardous materials, flammable liquids, and certain chemicals.
Skipping or undervaluing insurance
Many individuals mistakenly believe the shipping line will reimburse them for the full value of their household goods if they’re damaged or lost at sea. However, their liability only kicks in if negligence is proven, and “acts of God” such as extreme weather are excluded. Even if negligence is proven, their liability is limited to $500 per container under international maritime law, regardless of the total value.
That’s why it’s smart to get marine cargo insurance, which your shipping company can explain. For starters, it makes sense to get coverage equal to the total replacement value of your goods, plus a 10%-20% contingency for fees and costs.
Poor timing & planning
Last-minute scheduling of container bookings, incomplete customs paperwork, or delays in coordinating local transportation can quickly lead to higher costs and delays.
Adjusting your ship date without confirming availability or re-validating your booking can result in rebooking fees or even cause you to miss the vessel altogether. Limited lead time also leaves little room to address unexpected issues, such as port congestion, documentation errors, or container shortages.
Set your shipping dates early, ensure all export and import clearances are complete, and build in flexibility. An experienced freight forwarder can provide valuable advice on planning and scheduling.
Shipping household goods to Europe
While there is a good deal of uniformity in EU import regulations, each country has its own wrinkles. Knowing what to expect ahead helps prevent delays, extra costs, and surprises at your destination. Are you moving to Poland, the UK, or the Republic of Ireland? If so, here are some tips.
Moving to Poland
Polish customs laws are stricter than most EU nations when it comes to proving personal ownership, residency, and the age of goods. For instance, Poland requires more documentation than other countries to validate duty-free importing, including translated receipts or vehicle registration and insurance documents.
Because containers entering Poland often route through ports in Germany or the Netherlands, selecting a logistics partner experienced in coordinating inland transport and Polish customs clearance is essential. Check out our article on moving to Poland from the USA.
Moving to the UK
Preparation and documentation are key to avoiding unnecessary costs and delays. To qualify for the UK’s Transfer of Residence Relief from import duties and VAT, you’ll need to show proof of US residency for at least 12 months and ownership of the items for six months.
Properly staging and loading your container, securing any required parking permits, and completing customs paperwork ahead of time can help minimize detention fees and port delays. A knowledgeable international freight forwarder can coordinate both US and UK logistics, ensure smooth customs clearance, making your move as cost effective as possible. Check out our article on moving to the UK from the USA.
Moving to Ireland
Compared to the UK, Ireland relies more heavily on feeder ports like Dublin, Cork, and Shannon, which often means transshipment through larger hubs such as Rotterdam or Antwerp. This can slightly extend transit times compared to direct routes to Southampton or London for the UK.
Ireland may require additional proof of residence, such as a utility bill or rental agreement, to qualify for duty relief. Compared with other EU countries, Ireland tends to request more detailed supporting documentation to ensure eligibility for exemptions. Check out our guide to shipping personal effects to Ireland.
Your secret to success in shipping personal items overseas: a knowledgeable partner
Relocating across the ocean is complex and stressful. You may be looking for a new home, new schools for kids, starting a new job. The last thing you need is to get preoccupied with the many details associated with international household goods moving.
Choose an experienced partner like I.C.E. Transport. We’ve been shipping household goods overseas since our founding in 1987 and, during that time, we’ve managed thousands of moves and know all the best practices, potential issues and workarounds.
We’re not a household moving factory. We’re a family-run company that understands the stress an international move can put on families. As such, we’ll assign you a personal moving consultant who will guide you through the process and work patiently to answer any and all of your questions.
To start planning the best strategy for shipping your personal effects overseas, contact the international moving experts at I.C.E. Transport.
