Ship or Buy Calculator
Find out what to ship, buy new, or leave behind when moving abroad
Shipping Origin
Destination Region
Your Items
Check the items you own. We will calculate whether to ship or buy new at your destination.
Pro Tips for Shipping Abroad
Get Multiple Quotes
Request quotes from at least 3 international moving companies. Prices can vary 30-50% between providers. Ask about shared container (LCL) options if shipping less than a full container.
Sell Before You Go
Items recommended as "Buy New" are often worth selling before departure. Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist can recover 20-50% of value, offsetting your replacement costs abroad.
Insure Your Shipment
Always purchase transit insurance (typically 2-3% of declared value). Sea shipments take 4-8 weeks and items can be damaged by humidity, rough seas, or mishandling at ports.
Max Out Luggage
Each checked bag (50 lbs) costs $30-100 on airlines vs $150-300 to ship the same weight. Pack high-value, lightweight items in luggage. Ship heavy, bulky items by sea.
About this calculator: Shipping cost estimates are based on average international moving rates as of February 2026. Actual costs vary by carrier, season, and specific origin/destination cities. Replacement costs use regional multipliers based on purchasing power data. All amounts in USD. Suggest a correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it cheaper to ship my belongings or buy new abroad?
It depends on the item, destination, and shipping distance. Heavy furniture is almost always cheaper to buy locally in low-cost regions like Southeast Asia or Latin America. High-value electronics (laptops, gaming consoles) and sentimental items are usually worth shipping. Our calculator compares costs item-by-item so you can make the best decision for each belonging.
What should I never ship when moving abroad?
Never ship voltage-incompatible appliances (hair dryers, kitchen appliances, space heaters) to countries with different electrical systems. Most of the world uses 220-240V while the US/Canada use 110-120V. Also avoid shipping cheap furniture, heavy books (digitize instead), and anything you can easily replace locally. Items with high weight-to-value ratios are the worst candidates for shipping.
How much does international shipping cost?
International shipping typically costs $2-6 per pound depending on the route, plus container/handling fees of $300-500+. A full 20-foot container from the US to Latin America runs $2,000-4,000, while shipping to Southeast Asia or Europe costs $3,000-6,000. Air freight is 3-5x more expensive than sea freight. Most expats find that shipping only high-value, hard-to-replace items saves the most money.
Will my electronics work in another country?
Most modern laptops, phone chargers, and gaming consoles are dual-voltage (110-240V) and work worldwide with just a plug adapter. However, hair dryers, kitchen appliances, and older electronics are typically single-voltage and will be destroyed or cause fires if plugged into the wrong voltage. Always check the label on your device — if it says "100-240V" you only need an adapter, not a transformer.
What is the best way to ship belongings overseas?
For most expats, the best approach is a hybrid strategy: ship only high-value and sentimental items via sea freight (takes 4-8 weeks), carry essentials in checked luggage, and buy bulky/heavy items locally. Get quotes from at least 3 international movers. Consider shared container services (LCL) if you are shipping less than a full container. Always purchase transit insurance for valuable items.
