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Vietnam When planning an international move, many people assume international shipping costs are based mainly on weight.
In reality, most international household shipments are priced based on volume — the amount of space your belongings take up in a shipping container.
This means that what you choose to ship can make a big difference to your overall moving costs. Before packing everything for your move abroad, it’s worth reviewing a few practical decisions that could help reduce the size of your shipment.
Here’s a simple checklist to consider before shipping your household goods overseas.
What Determines International Moving Costs?
For most household relocations, international moving costs are calculated by volume, not weight. This means the more space your belongings occupy inside a container, the more your shipment may cost. Reducing your shipment size, even slightly, can lead to meaningful savings.
1. Avoid Shipping Duplicate Items
If you already have certain items waiting for you at your destination — or will have access to them through family, furnished accommodation, or storage — it may not make sense to ship duplicates.
This can often apply to items such as:
- kitchen appliances
- furniture
- televisions
- office equipment
Reducing duplicate items helps minimise the overall shipment volume.
2. Consider What’s Cheaper to Replace
Some items may cost more to ship internationally than they would to replace once you arrive.
This can be particularly true for:
- older furniture
- flat-pack items
- inexpensive household goods
- bulky items with lower replacement value
Reviewing these items before packing can help you decide whether they’re worth including in your shipment.
3. Think About What You’ll Buy on Arrival
Many people choose to purchase certain household items after arriving in their new country.
This might include:
- new furniture
- electrical appliances compatible with local power standards
- home décor suited to the new property
Planning ahead for these purchases can help reduce the amount you need to ship.
4. Check Furniture Sizes for Your Destination Home
Furniture that fits perfectly in your current home may not work in your new one.
Before shipping large pieces, it can help to check:
- room sizes
- doorways and staircases
- lift access in apartment buildings
This helps avoid the situation where items arrive but cannot be used or placed comfortably in the new space.
5. Digitise Important Documents and Photos
Paper documents, photo albums, and files can add unexpected weight and volume to a shipment.
Scanning important documents and creating digital backups of photos can help reduce what needs to travel physically while also protecting important records.
6. Vacuum Pack Soft Items
Clothing, bedding, and soft furnishings can take up more space than expected when packed normally.
Vacuum packing these items can significantly reduce their volume and help maximise space within your shipment.
7. Plan Your Shipment Carefully
Every international move is different, and the most efficient shipping solution will depend on the size of your household, your destination, and your timeline.
Working with experienced relocation professionals can help ensure your belongings are packed efficiently and unnecessary shipping costs are avoided.
How These Tips Reduce Costs
Each of the steps above helps reduce the total volume of your shipment. Even small reductions like removing a few bulky items or vacuum‑packing soft goods, can lower the space required in a container and reduce your overall shipping cost.
Understanding Your International Shipping Options
Reducing shipment volume is one way to manage moving costs, but the shipping option you choose can also make a difference.
Depending on the size of your move, relocation providers may offer several solutions, including:
Shared container shipping
Also known as groupage or consolidation, shared container shipping allows multiple customers to share container space. It can be a cost-effective solution for smaller shipments.
Full container shipping
For larger household moves, shipments are typically transported in dedicated containers such as 20-foot or 40-foot containers, depending on the volume of goods.
Temporary storage
If your new home is not ready when you arrive, secure storage options can allow your shipment to be delivered when the timing is right.
An experienced relocation partner can help assess your shipment volume and recommend the most suitable solution.
Which Shipping Option Should You Choose?
- Small shipment (boxes, small furniture): Shared container
- Medium household: 20ft container
- Large household: 40ft container
- Uncertain move‑in date: Temporary storage
A relocation specialist can help assess your volume and recommend the most efficient option.
Planning an International Move from the UAE?
Our relocation specialists can help you explore the most efficient shipping options for your move – contact us today
📞 +971 800 27696
Frequently Asked Questions About International Moving Costs
For most household relocations, international shipping costs are calculated based on volume, not weight.
In some cases, it may be more cost-effective to replace certain items after arriving in your destination country, particularly bulky or lower-value furniture.
Depending on the size of the shipment, international relocations may use shared container shipping for smaller moves or full containers (20ft or 40ft) for larger households.
Yes. Crown offers secure storage options if your new home is not ready when your shipment arrives. This can provide flexibility during the moving process.
