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Moving Furniture Abroad

Costs, Preparation, and Shipping Abroad

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Moving your furniture abroad can either save you money or increase your costs. This article aims to help you understand your costs, how to choose moving services in Canada, and what to do next. Keep reading to find out. 

Moving Abroad & Shipping Furniture 

Moving abroad from Canada is a meticulous process, and you must consider all its aspects: 

  • The cost of moving furniture abroad: Sometimes you pay more to ship your furniture than how much it would cost to replace it.  
  • Your destination: The cost of shipping your furniture depends greatly on the destination. For example, if you plan to move to Asia from Canada, it might cost you less to just replace your furniture. 
  • The furniture moving company rates: Some companies offer cheaper options for shipping your furniture, however, it is impossible to get an accurate estimate without requesting quotes. 
  • The volume of your furniture: Don’t know how much volume your furniture has altogether? To have a good idea of the size, we recommend using our Furniture Volume Calculator, which can help you decide your next step. 

Request Moving Company Quotes in Canada 

The fastest and easiest way to know whether it’s a good idea to move your furniture internationally is to ask the moving companies themselves. Click on the banner below and request up to 5 FREE moving quotes by choosing your household size. 

Ready to Move Abroad?
Receive personalized removal quotes by choosing the size of your move
 

Moving Furniture Companies  

We prepared a list for you to find the best company for moving furniture overseas: 

Flat Rate Relocation 

 

Premiere Van Lines 

 

Armstrong Moving Ltd. 

 

Furniture Storage Companies 

In case you arrive later than your furniture transit, or you may not have the space prepared to take the furniture in, you have the option of hiring a storage company who can keep it for you: 

Fluent Moving & Storage 

 

Western Moving and Storage 

 

King’s Transfer Moving & Storage 

 

How Much Does It Cost to Ship Furniture Internationally? 

The cost of moving furniture abroad from Canada varies per destination. The table below shows a breakdown of costs based on different locations: 

Destination  20ft Container (1–2 Bedroom)  40ft Container (3–4 Bedroom) 
United States  CAD $3,400–$9,500  CAD $6,800–$12,900 
Australia  CAD $12,400–$23,500  CAD $23,500–$33,000 
Sweden  CAD $6,800–$12,900  CAD $12,900–$19,400 
Mexico  CAD $5,700–$12,000  CAD $11,400–$17,100 
New Zealand  CAD $7,100–$13,400  CAD $13,400–$18,900 

Disclaimer: These are mere estimates. The cost of moving furniture abroad can only be accurately estimated by the moving companies. 

How to Ship Furniture Cheaply? 

Shipping furniture cheaply involves a series of steps you should take. It’s not always about the moving company you choose, but also about the amount of furniture you own. Here is what you should consider: 

  • Sell unnecessary pieces: If you discover that some pieces of furniture can be easily and cheaply replaced once you arrive at your new destination, it would be wise to try and sell them. This will not only lower your costs but will also help you earn more cash. 
  • Sea Freight over Air Freight: Air Freight is much more expensive, although faster. The best option for cheap furniture shipping is sea freight, however, it takes much longer. 
  • Dismantle your furniture: The more compact your furniture is, the less space it occupies in a container, which means you get to pay less and fit more. 
  • Load and Unload: If you are willing to do the heavy lifting, you may save more money on your transit. Consider this wisely, as it might involve a lot of hard work. 

How to Ship Furniture Overseas? 

Shipping furniture overseas can be easily done by hiring a moving company. The easiest way to find one is by requesting quotes from Sirelo. Keep reading to learn about each stage of this moving process. 

This how it goes: 

  • You request quotes and receive 5 offers from different moving companies. 
  • Depending on the services chosen, you may have to pack your furniture yourself, organize it and load it. 
  • The moving company takes your furniture and sends it abroad. 
  • Upon arrival, you pick up your furniture or you opt for storage services in case you arrive later. 

Furniture Volume Calculator 

Before requesting moving quotes from the moving companies, you should estimate the total volume of your furniture. By doing so, the movers will know exactly what your costs will be. You can use our free furniture volume calculator and get your size in minutes. 

 

How to Prepare Furniture When Moving? 

If you hire a full-service moving company, you might not need to do much. Some companies offer packing/unpacking and loading/unloading, which require you to be present. However, if you decide to move forward with cheaper options, here is what you should know about preparing furniture for moving: 

  • Packing: After dismantling your furniture pieces, gently pack them in boxes to keep them safe and organized. 
  • Labels: Keep a record of each piece of furniture to avoid lost or broken items. Moreover, this will help the movers understand which items are more fragile. 
  • Sort: Move all the boxes in a safe area and organize them by size and importance. 

How to Store Furniture in a Shipping Container? 

When placing the furniture in the container, this is how you should go about it: 

  • Place the heavy pieces on the bottom of the container and the lighter ones on the top.  
  • Put the more fragile and essential items last, in the front, for easy access and safety. 
  • Dry everything before loading, as it can create mold. Especially if you are shipping them to a fare away location. 

Ready to Move Your Furniture Abroad? 

Now that you made it to the end of this article you should be all set. We wish you the best of luck with your shipment! 

Frequently asked questions

Why does furniture take so long to ship?

How to ship furniture internationally?

How expensive is it to ship furniture?