Should You Ship Furniture Overseas?

Ryan Carrigan

Last Updated: Sep 24, 2025 • 6 min read

Fact Checked by: Parker King

Here’s the quick answer: Whether or not you should ship your furniture overseas depends on your budget, timeline, and how much you value your current pieces.

We’ve broken down real-world pricing from our secret shopping process, identified pros and cons, and mapped out timelines to help you decide whether moving your furniture overseas is worth it or not.

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Cost of shipping furniture overseas

International moving prices vary widely by route, volume, and service level. All-in door-to-door costs typically range from $1,200 for basic moves up to $20,000+ for large moves, with sea freight being cheaper than air.

Here are a few typical door-to-door ranges based on popular routes and different shipment sizes to give you an idea:

Route	1-Bedroom	Full 20’ Container	Full 40’/40’HC Container
US → UK	$2,000–$4,000	$5,000–$8,000	$7,500–$15,000
US → Australia	$2,800–$5,000	$6,000–$10,000	$10,000–$18,000
US → Canada	$1,200–$3,000	$4,000–$7,000	$6,000–$12,000

Assumes pro packing, basic port fees, and standard access. The final price depends on inventory, access (elevators, stairs, shuttle), customs/inspection, and the distance from the port to your home.

Here are a few of the biggest cost factors you’ll see in your quotes and invoices:

Volume/weight: Bigger shipments cost more, and air shippers use “dimensional” (chargeable) weight to set rates.
Distance and route: Longer or less common routes result in higher base rates and longer ETAs.
Service level: Full container (FCL) moves are costlier than shared groupage (LCL). Likewise, door-to-door shipping costs more than door-to-port.
Seasonality: Summer and holidays are peak moving seasons, so they often come with higher rates and backlogged ports.
Destination fees: Terminal handling, customs exams, delivery, stairs or long-carry routes, and shuttles can all result in added fees.

The best moving companies will look at all the furniture you want to move and acquire more information about the move before providing you with a quote. Deep dive into the numbers in our international moving costs guide.

Hidden and additional costs

Budget for the unexpected fees that most people don’t see coming:

Insurance upgrades: Full-value coverage isn’t always included in standard moving insurance plans.
Customs exams & quarantine: Random inspections (and AQIS/DAFF in AU/NZ) add fees and time.
Demurrage/detention: Port delays can trigger daily storage and usage charges.
Packing materials: Crating, glass, and marble could be billed separately.
Professional cleaning or fumigation: Sometimes, these services are required for wood or upholstery.
Temporary housing & duplicates: If your shipment is late, you may have to buy stop-gap essentials.

Is it worth shipping furniture overseas?

Whether or not it’s worth it to ship your furniture overseas ultimately comes down to value vs. cost vs. hassle. Here’s our honest take based on the feedback we’ve received from Better Moves participants:

Pros of shipping furniture

Sentimental & high-end pieces: Heirlooms and quality builds are worth keeping.
Instant setup: You’ll arrive to a furnished home instead of shopping for weeks.
Sustainability: In general, reusing beats rebuying and leads to less landfill waste.
Consistency: You get to keep the comfortable, worn in furniture that you already love.

Cons of shipping furniture

Cost vs. value: Shipping cheap or poorly made furniture is rarely worth the cost and you’re probably better off replacing those pieces.
Risk & paperwork: Don’t forget about the risk of damage or delays at customs.
Fit & climate: EU/UK homes can be smaller, and depending on where you move, the humidity and dryness might warp or crack wood and leather.
Restrictions: Untreated wood and certain materials may be restricted in some areas. Do your research before moving your furniture with you.

Bottom line: We recommend that you ship high-value or meaningful items. For generic or bulky low-value pieces, it’s usually a better call to part ways and find new pieces.

Shipping vs. buying new furniture: Side-by-side comparison

Factor	Ship furniture	Buy new abroad
Average cost	$2,000–$20,000+ (all-in)	$3,000–$10,000+ to refurnish (depending on the country)
Timeline	Sea: 4–12 wks · Air: 1–2 wks	In-stock now; 2–8 wks for delivery
Convenience	Complex (customs, ports, delivery)	Simpler (shop, deliver, buy a warranty)
Quality/fit	Guaranteed quality; may not suit your new space	Match local sizes/styles; may have to compromise on quality
Risk	Damage/loss, hidden fees, delays	Lower risk; local support
Resale	Harder across borders	Buy with local resale in mind

Tip: Price out furniture at your destination before deciding, since furniture in some countries is pricier than the U.S.

Packing and protection: Don’t skimp here

International moves mean multiple handoffs. Professional export packing and crating can dramatically reduce the risk of damaging your furniture.

Risks of poor packing

Breakage: Impacts during loading, unloading, and at sea can break furniture.
Moisture/mold: Humidity and salt air are tough on wood and fabrics.
Mislabeled items: Poor inventories complicate customs and claims.

“A few items got damaged because I skipped custom crating to save money.”
— Read Chloe’s full story

Insurance options

You have a few options when it comes to insuring your belongings during the move. Here’s a quick overview:

Full-value protection: Covers repairs and replacement at around 1%–3% of their declared value.
Total-loss: This option is cheaper, but it pays only if the entire shipment is lost.
Exclusions: Many policies limit coverage on self-packed fragile items.

Step-by-step international shipping checklist

Take inventory & declutter: Decide what to ship, sell, donate, or store to declutter for your move.
Get 3–5 quotes: Request in-home or video surveys from international moving companies to lock in the best mover for your situation.
Compare apples-to-apples: Be sure to factor in packing, crating, insurance, port fees, access, and timelines, not just the price tag.
Vet credentials: Look into the mover’s FIDI/IAM/BAR membership, check for insurance proof, and ensure they have a clear claims process.
Documents: Have your passport or visa handy, put together a detailed inventory, gather your customs forms, and get valuations.
Packing day: Let a pro wrap and crate your furniture with ISPM-15 stamped wood only, which protects your furniture from pests and streamlines customs.
Customs & delivery: Expect possible inspections and be sure to take stock of your stuff on delivery day before signing.

International shipping regulations: What to know

Here are a few additional considerations to keep in mind ahead of your international move.

Duties/taxes: Many countries allow duty-free import of used household goods if you’ve owned or used them in the last 6–12+ months and you’re relocating. The rules vary depending on the country.
Restricted items: Untreated wood, ivory/exotics, certain plants/soil, and some electronics and batteries are restricted.
Quarantine: Australia and New Zealand are especially strict on wood and upholstery; cleaning or certificates may be required.
Packaging law: Wood packaging must be ISPM-15 heat-treated and stamped for most international moves.

Confirm destination-specific rules with your mover before you start packing.

How long does it take to ship furniture overseas?

How long your furniture shipment will take depends on the shipping method you choose.

Sea freight: 4–12 weeks door-to-door (varies based on the route and customs).
Groupage/LCL: Add 1–3 weeks for consolidation and routing.
Air freight: 1–2 weeks. You should only use this option for essentials due to the higher cost.

Plan buffer time and pack an essentials kit that stays with you and includes items you’ll need right away so delays don’t derail you.

Ways to save on international shipping

Here are a few surefire strategies to decrease the cost of your international move:

Downsize hard: Don’t ship what you don’t love. With international moves, it’s especially important to pare down before relocating.
Hybrid pack: Self-pack your linens and books but let the pros handle furniture and fragile items.
Get plenty of quotes: Get at least three like-for-like estimates and ask about price matching.
Off-peak timing: Avoid summer and holidays if possible to get the best rates possible for your move.
Bundle: Negotiate deals on packing, storage, and insurance.

How to choose an international moving company

Trying to decide which moving company is right for your upcoming move? Here are some pointers for finding a mover to handle your furniture and everything else.

Experience: Look for dedicated international teams and proven partners at your destination.
Accreditations: FIDI, IAM, and BAR (UK) are some common licenses to look out for. You should also check into their insurance.
Transparent pricing: Get line-item quotes with clear inclusions and exclusions.
Claims process: Ask for written timelines and documentation requirements.
Red flags: Large deposits, a lack of a physical address, vague answers, and poor reviews are all red flags to avoid.

See our top international movers to compare.

FAQs

Is it worth shipping furniture overseas?

Yes. It can make sense to ship high-value, sentimental, or hard-to-replace pieces when costs are reasonable versus buying new. For generic or bulky low-value items, buying local is usually smarter.

What documents will I need to ship furniture overseas?

You’ll need a passport, visa/proof of residence, detailed inventory, customs forms, and insurance/valuation paperwork. Some countries ask for proof of ownership/use (6–12+ months) for duty relief.

What if something is damaged or lost?

Photograph the damage, note it on your delivery paperwork, and file an insurance claim promptly with your inventory and receipts. Coverage depends on your policy and packing method.

Are there restrictions on what I can ship?

Yes. Common restrictions include untreated wood, certain animal products (e.g., ivory), soil/plants, and some batteries/electronics. Confirm with your mover and destination customs.