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SHIPPING HOUSEHOLD GOODS AND PERSONAL EFFECTS OVERSEAS

This page provides tips on shipping personal belongings overseas.

GENERAL

Yes, you can ship household goods or personal shipments, i.e. not-commercial goods that are not for sale, using cost-effective services from common carriers.

However, please do not confuse service provided by an international cargo transportation company (a common carrier) with international movers (1) or parcel services (2).

1. Unlike as with an international mover, when you use direct service from a transportation company, it is your responsibility on packing your goods:

With LCL (Less than Container Load Service, i.e. shipping boxed or crated cargo) your items must be boxed, crated and/or palletized and labeled in order to be accepted by the carrier. You should keep in mind wood packing restrictions when pack your freight.
With FCL (Full Container Load - not always available) it is shippers’ responsibility on loading and securing cargo and vehicles (if any) in containers unless you use in a warehouse quality loading service.

Obviously services from international movers are extremely expensive. However, they may send to you a surveyor, estimate total cost on your move and complete entire shipment on your behalf including packing, loading and securing your cargo in containers.

We always recommend considering alternatives between using services from international moving companies and transportation companies. Here is the link to an instant freight rates calculator for shipping boxed or crated cargo usung LCL service from a transportation company .

2. If you ship considerable small cargo (less than 0.3 cubic meters of total volume), then using a parcel service possible would be more cost-effective.

LCL shipments with transportation companies are always have a MINIMUM CHARGE on shipments.

MINIMUM CHARGE - Your shipment is not limited by volume. But it always has a minimum charge.

A minimum charge is the amount that will not go below regardless of volume of your cargo. For example: if you ship a considerable small volume with a total freight charge that calculates an amount below the minimum charge, then you will be charged the minimum anyway.

Often minimum charges are equal to shipping freight with the total volume of one cubic meter. For example: $87 per Cubic Meter w/m / $87 minimum. However certain origins-destinations have minimum charges higher than shipping one cubic meter.

w/m - i.e. Weight or Measurement, which ever is higher. Find more about W/M and Cubic Meter in this link.

DESTINATION CHARGES AND CUSTOMS DUTY

Either you use a service from an international mover or common carrier or simply carry your goods in the trunk of your car across the border, your cargo is always subject to destination charges. You may find more about destination charges in this link.

In respect of Customs Duty at destinations (as a part of destination charges), household goods and personal effects are allowed to enter most countries without significant duties or taxes as long as it complies with local regulations for importing HHG. However, those regulations can be quite complicated.

The first thing exporter should do before making arrangements to ship household or personal goods overseas is to contact a local Consulate or Embassy of the country where the goods will be sent to ask them about special rules, restrictions or charges (duty and/or taxes) that may be incurred when items reach their destination. It is a good idea to check also if you are unsure about any particular item you want to ship. Certain commodity such as animal skins or products, plants or seeds etc may not be allowed.

See if you can obtain a letter of relocation, or if duty exceptions are granted a confirmation letter can be issued by the consulate as well.

Also, you may request customs duty and tax estimation from a destination Customs Broker before making any arrangements on your shipment. Most likely you will be asked to pay a fee on this service. However, if you are uncertain then it's worth your money and time.

UNACCOMPANIED BAGGAGE

A portion of luggage that cannot be taken with a passenger and travels to its destination separately, but which is required to be used immediately upon or soon after you or your dependent's arrival at destination, may be considered by the destination customs as an Unaccompanied Baggage.

Shipments or parts of shipments that compiles with status of unaccompanied baggage are always easier with the destination customs.

Unaccompanied baggage may include but is not limited to clothing, uniforms, kitchen supply and equipment, portable electronics: computers, TV radio etc, portable air-conditioners, golf and fishing equipment and more. Unaccompanied baggage may not include major items of furniture such as chairs, tables, cabinets, washers, dryers, freezers, large-size refrigerators, beds, mattresses, etc. Always remember about the unaccompanied baggage status when you pack and mark your shipping boxes.

If you travel to your destination by airplane, boat, train ahead of your shipment, it is always a good idea to declare your shipment at a time of destination country’s border crossing. Fill out a customs declaration on board of the aircraft, boat or train. Mention in the declaration your shipment or part of the shipment is an unaccompanied baggage. Along with your commodity description provide in the declaration information on your shipment obtained in your booking confirmation: booking #, the origin, vessel, voyage etc. Keep copy of the declaration and use it when you clear your goods with destination customs.

"CONSIGNER = CONSIGNEE" RULE

When moving, i.e. shippers ship cargo to themselves, at a time of booking and filling ship documents we suggest following the rule:

CONSIGNER (SHIPPER) AND CONSIGNEE (RECIPIENT) MUST BE THE SAME NAME. THERE MUST BE NO VARIATION EVEN IN SPELLING. You may provide any different contact info as the notify party, but not consignee.

Following this rule should allow you to avoid problems when clearing freight with destination customs. I.e. save time and money on destination customs and/or Bill of Lading amendments.

FOOD, VEGETABLE OR ANIMAL PRODUCTS SHIPMENTS

Food and vegetable or animal products SHOULD NOT be shipped as a part of personal effects or household goods shipment. We suggest avoiding shipping such type of commodity at all. Even small amount of food in your shipment may result a big problem with the destination officials.

Shipment including vegetable or animal products may require additional documents like Phytosanitary certificate, Veterinary certificate etc.

If you wish to ship such products anyway, please contact the local Consulate or Embassy of the country where the goods will be sent. Ask them about the country’s specific regulations. Ensure that you have obtained all of the necessary documents and certifications for your shipment before to arrange your shipment.

Neither freight forwarder nor carrier can be held responsible for additional costs or delays caused by the failure to provide complete and compliant paperwork relating to any food and agricultural products contained in your shipment.

NO LIVE PLANTS OR ANIMALS

Shipping live plants or animals is prohibited in household goods shipments.

MOVING HOUSEHOLD GOODS TO THE UNITED STATES

For Moving Household Goods to the United States you may find helpful this Guide to Customs Regulations from CBP.GOV