Shipping Furniture Overseas: Costs, Options & Quotes
Whether you’re relocating a full household or just a few treasured pieces, shipping furniture overseas comes down to three things: how much you’re sending, how fast you need it, and which customs rules apply at the other end. Here’s what actually drives the price, and how to get quotes without the guesswork.
Average Shipping Cost
- Full container (FCL): Usually the best value for a full household: you don’t share space, but it costs more upfront. A 20ft container from the Netherlands to the US East Coast typically runs $4,000-$6,500 (or €3.500-€6.000); UK to Australia tends to land closer to £4,500-£7,000.
- Groupage / LCL: Your furniture shares a container with other shipments: cheaper for smaller loads, but slower since it waits to fill up. Pricing is usually per cubic metre, roughly $150-$300/m³, so a one-bedroom load (~15m³) on the same routes might cost $2,500-$4,000 (or €2.200-€3.500).
- Air freight: The fastest option, usually reserved for smaller or high-value items where time outweighs cost. Expect $6-$12/kg, meaning a 100kg shipment could run $800-$1,500 door-to-door, often pricier than sea freight, but measured in days, not weeks.
Tips for Packing Furniture Safely
- Disassemble large items where possible to reduce volume and risk of damage
- Wrap upholstered pieces in breathable covers, not plastic, to avoid moisture damage
- Photograph valuable items before they’re packed, for insurance purposes
Good to know: door-to-door delivery typically costs 15-25% more than port-to-port, but saves you the hassle of local haulage.
Get your Furniture Shipping Quotes
Tell us what you’re shipping, your origin, and your destination. Within one working day, we match you with up to 5 vetted international movers experienced on your specific route, so you can compare prices, transit times, and reviews before deciding.
Get free, no-obligation quotes and see what shipping your furniture overseas will actually cost.
