Should I Ship Items Internationally or Repurchase?

This is one of the most involved decisions in a move and that's deciding to ship items or repurchase them. This decision extends beyond sentiment and convenience, requiring careful analysis of costs, market values, and the long-term usefulness of each item. Some possessions may be irreplaceable and worth the shipping expense, while others may be more cost-effective to sell and repurchase in the new location. The process demands both financial calculation and personal discernment, ensuring that what you bring aligns with your budget, lifestyle, and priorities. By approaching this choice systematically, you can minimize wasteful spending while maximizing comfort in your new environment.

1. Identifying Non-Negotiables

The first step is identifying the items that cannot be replaced and will need to be transported. These are often personal belongings or those with sentimental value, such as: clothing, family keepsakes, photographs, or heirlooms + daily-use essentials also frequently fall into this category, since they are part of one’s routine and may be difficult to repurchase in the same style or fit abroad. An example of these could be: your favorite blow dryer, a specialty pan set, etc. By clarifying what is truly non-negotiable, you can immediately calculate these costs.

🏷️ Label these items as "Non Negotiables - To Ship" on your list

2. Understanding Profit Potential

Certain items may actually be worth selling before relocation because they can yield more value in the current market. Electronics, furniture, or local goods that are in high demand can be sold for a premium domestically. Repurchasing them in your new country might be cheaper, allowing you to pocket the difference as profit. This approach turns relocation into not just a logistical decision but also an economic opportunity. Proper research into local resale and purchase prices makes this strategy effective.

🏷️ Label these items as "To Sell" on your list

3. Considering High-Cost Repurchases

Not everything is cheaper abroad, and some items will be far more expensive to replace in the new country. High-quality furniture, luxury goods, or specialized equipment often fall into this category. In such cases, shipping may actually be the more cost-effective option, especially if these goods are integral to your lifestyle. It's crucial to identify these exceptions early so you can allocate shipping resources strategically. Overlooking them can result in costly repurchases that strain your relocation budget.

You have to... "Do the Math" to balance "Shipping Costs with Sale Revenue"

The decision should never be based on shipping costs alone but on the total financial picture. For instance, an item may be expensive to ship, yet if you sell it domestically and apply that revenue toward a repurchase abroad, the net expense may be lower. This calculation reframes the comparison from a binary choice into a broader financial analysis.

3A: Example (Where Shipping is Cheaper): You have (5) Samsung Curve TV's in your home that are 40 lbs a piece i.e. a total combined weight of 200 lbs. Bringing them on the plane with you may be $2,000, Air Cargo could be $2,500, and ocean freight let's say is $1,600. *All inclusive of VAT/duties/taxes. We'll move forward with the cheapest option of $1,600 ocean freight. If you sold each TV for $750 (market rate), you'd have $750 X 5 TV's = You'd make $3,750. Now, to repurchase each TV, on average let's say the TV's are $1,200 a piece and $1,200 X 5 = $6,000.

In this scenario, IF you sold all (5)TV's making you $3,750...you'd still have to come to the table with $2,250 to buy new TVs ($6000 cost of 5 TVs minus the $3,750 you received from selling the old TV's to put towards the new TV purchases). $2,250 is more money than the $1,600 to ship the TV's you have, so in this scenario shipping is cheaper.

🏷️ Label these items as "To Ship" on your list

3B. Example (Where Repurchasing is Cheaper than Shipping): You have (4) King Sized Bed Sets in your home that are 200 lbs a piece i.e. a total combined weight of 800 lbs. Bringing them on the plane with you is nearly impossible do to the size, Air Cargo could be $4,500, and ocean freight let's say is $3,250. *All inclusive of VAT/duties/taxes. We'll move forward with the cheapest option of $3,250 ocean freight. If you sold each bed set for $500 (market rate), you'd have $500 X 4 bed sets = You'd make $2,000. Now, to repurchase each bed set, on average let's say the bed sets are $900 a piece and $900 X 5 = $4,500

In this scenario, IF you sold all (5)bed sets making you $2000...you'd still have to come to the table with $2,500 to buy new bed sets ($4,500 cost of 5 bed sets minus the $2,000 you received from selling the old bed sets to put towards the new bed set purchases). $2,500 is less money to spend versus the $3,250 to ship the bed sets you have, so in this scenario repurchasing is cheaper.

🏷️ Label these items as "To Sell" on your list

4. Assessing Costs based on Actual Weight & Dimensional Weight

When evaluating providers to ship items internationally, it is essential to understand that costs are calculated not only by actual weight but also by the amount of space an item occupies. Shipping companies often apply a dimensional weight formula, which measures the volume of the package relative to its size, and charges whichever is greater between actual and dimensional weight. This means that bulky but lightweight items, such as pillows or large plastic containers, may cost disproportionately more to ship compared to smaller, denser objects. To make an informed decision, you must measure and compare both weight and volume to see which rate applies. Factoring in dimensional weight ensures that you do not underestimate shipping expenses and allows you to prioritize items that are more economical to transport.

Things to Consider: Do not feel the pressure to measure everything, BUT do measure the larger items that take up more space + that are heavier items, so as you're generating quotes, they're as close to accurate as possible.

4. Assessing Flying via (Cargo) or Freight via Ocean

When evaluating whether to ship items internationally, it is essential to understand that costs are calculated not only by actual weight but also by the amount of space an item occupies. Shipping companies often apply a dimensional weight formula, which measures the volume of the package relative to its size, and charges whichever is greater between actual and dimensional weight. This means that bulky but lightweight items, such as pillows or large plastic containers, may cost disproportionately more to ship compared to smaller, denser objects. To make an informed decision, you must measure and compare both weight and volume to see which rate applies. Factoring in dimensional weight ensures that you do not underestimate shipping expenses and allows you to prioritize items that are more economical to transport.

Go back and 🏷️ Label items as "To Ship - Ocean Freight" or "To Ship - Air Cargo" on your list based on priority of when you'll receive your items typically with Air Cargo arriving sooner.

If you don't have time to measure or if you're not the best at math...Good News!

Some international moving companies will send a representative to your home or arrange a video call to look at everything you plan to ship. This service is usually free because it helps them provide an accurate estimate and increases the chance that you’ll book with them. During the assessment, they measure the size and weight of your belongings, calculate the shipping volume, and explain packing or handling needs. The result is a binding or semi-binding quote that prevents surprise costs later.