Help and advice for moving overseas

This simple guide explains how to complete your online shipping documents and the importance of an accurate inventory

Make the collection and delivery of your MoveCube® simple by following these 3 steps. 

Follow these safety precautions when loading and unloading your MoveCube® for a stress-free shipping experience.

We make shipping boxes and bags internationally simple. Read this guide to learn how to quickly arrange a shipment collection.

Accurately numbering your boxes before shipping overseas is crucial to ensuring the safe and efficient delivery of your goods — read this guide to learn more!

If you're moving possessions, read this page to learn how to label Seven Seas Worldwide shipping boxes for international shipping and removals.

Planning to study abroad? Read this quick guide to learn how to find the best student shipping company, how much international shipping costs and more.

The most moved to countries are Luxembourg, Switzerland, Denmark, Australia, and Spain, according to the Seven Seas Worldwide 2025 Movers Report.

An "expat", short for expatriate, is a person who lives outside their native country. Read this guide to learn how to become an expat and start a life overseas.

Culture shock is the feeling of disorientation or discomfort people experience when exposed to a new and unfamiliar culture. Discover examples and coping tips.

A visa is an official travel document that grants you permission to enter, stay, or leave a country during a set time. Read this to learn how to get a visa and more.

Moving to America? From choosing a US city to finding a job, booking US removals, to understanding the culture, read this guide for a seamless relocation.

A green card (or Permanent Resident Card), is an identity document issued by USCIS that allows non-US citizens to live and work in the country. Learn more.

If you're considering moving to Australia, read our essential guide and learn everything from emigrating tips to finding a job and booking removals to Australia to understanding the culture.

If you're moving to Canada, read this guide for tips on emigrating to the Great White North, including how to find a job, booking removals, Canadian culture and more!

If you're moving to the UK, read this guide for tips on emigrating to Dear Ol' Blighty, including how to find a job, booking removals, British culture and more!

Moving to New Zealand promises an exciting mix of stunning landscapes, welcoming communities and a laid-back lifestyle. Discover more!

Moving to Singapore? From emigrating tips to finding a job, booking removals to Singapore, to understanding the culture, read this guide for an easy relocation.

Discover the best countries to live and work! Covering the countries that can offer you a better career, a new adventure or a little slice of paradise.

Discover the best healthcare systems in the world in this guide! Read now to learn about world healthcare rankings, where to get free healthcare and more.

Expat communities offer a way to connect with like-minded people abroad. Read this guide to learn what is an expat, how to find expat communities and more.

Read our guide to the top countries that pay you to move there, including Switzerland, Japan, Italy, the US and more. Discover how to get paid to relocate now!

Discover why the blue zone countries Italy, Greece, Japan, Costa Rica, and the US have the highest life expectancy and the 9 secrets to a long life.

Discover why Iceland, Denmark and Ireland are some of the safest countries in the world and where else is on the Global Peace Index.

Dual citizenship allows you to become a citizen of two countries simultaneously. Read this guide to learn what countries recognise it and how to apply.

Although British expats can still move to Europe after Brexit, there are new rules you need to know about. Read this guide to make your EU move stress-free.

The most expensive city in the world is Singapore — find out why, plus, what the most expensive cities in the US and Europe are in this guide.

The cheapest country to live in is Pakistan, according to Numbeo's Cost of Living Index. Read this guide to learn more about the cheapest places in the world.

Discover weird laws around the world, including weird laws in the US (like bouncing pickles!), weird laws in Canada, the UK, Australia, Singapore and more.

Estonia is the cleanest country in the world, according to a 2024 study by the EPI. Indicators include air quality, water sanitation and CO₂ levels. Learn more.

The best places to retire in the world are New Zealand, Costa Rica, and Uruguay, due to their natural beauty, affordable living costs, and quality healthcare.

The friendliest countries in the world are Costa Rica, Indonesia, Brazil, the Philippines, and Vietnam, according to InterNations's 2024 expat survey.

The sunniest city in the world is Yuma, Arizona, in the US, which gets around 4,015 hours of sunshine per year. Discover more sunny cities!

The cheapest island to live on is Siargao, Philippines. Read on to discover more of the best islands to live on including those in the US and across the world.

Countries that don't have taxes include the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. Read on to discover more tax-free destinations.

Singapore is safe — it's the fifth safest country in the world according to the Global Peace Index (GPI), offering residents a secure place to live and work.

Singapore is so expensive because it imports most items, land is limited, and it's a global financial hub, making it a beacon for wealthy investors. 

The best neighbourhoods in Singapore are Holland Village, Orchard Road, Tiong Bahru and East Coast. Discover more about life in Singapore.

To move to Australia from the UK, you must apply for an Australian visa, pick a region to live in, secure employment, and ship your belongings. 

The state with the lowest property tax in 2025 is Hawaii (0.27%), followed by Alabama (0.39%), Colorado (0.49%), and Louisiana (0.50%). 

The states with the lowest income taxes are Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming.

The best places to live in the US in 2025 are Naples (Florida), Boise (Indiana), Colorado Springs (Colorado), and Greenville (South Carolina).

The best states to live in in the US for 2025 are Washington, Colorado, Oregon, and Vermont. 

The country that has the highest taxes is the Ivory Coast, according to statistics platform Data Panda's 2025 survey. Read this guide for more high-tax countries.

The happiest country in the world is Finland, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Costa Rica, Norway, Israel, Luxembourg and Mexico.

The richest country in the world is Luxembourg, followed by Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Australia, the US, Ireland, Singapore, Netherlands, and Belgium.

The most beautiful countries in the world are Greece, New Zealand, Italy, Switzerland, Spain and Thailand. Click to discover the most beautiful cities and states.

The country that pays the highest salary for nurses is Switzerland followed by Luxembourg, the US, Virgin Islands and Denmark. Click to discover the top 10.

The best time to move is in winter, as rental prices and removal costs often drop because fewer people relocate during the colder months. 

The best moving day tips when moving overseas include being fully organised, sticking to your plans and staying calm. Click here for your moving day checklist.

Moving tips for families include explaining to your child why you're moving, giving them an activity to keep them busy and hiring an overseas removals company.

Top in-demand jobs in Australia for 2025 are healthcare assessors, lending managers and clinical assessors. Learn more about the Skilled Occupation List.

Australian visa types include tourist, skilled worker, student and prospective marriage visas. Read this guide to learn how to apply for an Australian visa. 

A Working Holiday 417 visa allows young people (aged 18-35) to travel to Australia for work, study, and adventure for up to 6 months.

Australia is a good country to live, thanks to its high living standards, beachside cities, friendly population, and thriving economy. 

To apply for Australian citizenship, gather your supporting documents, create an ImmiAccount on the DHA website, complete the application, and pay the fees.

It costs between AU$12,000 and AU$50,000 to move to Australia in 2026, depending on what items you need to ship, your chosen visa, and your origin country.

Australia's customs prohibited list for 2026 includes illegal drugs, weapons & firearms, fresh food, live plants & pirated media. Click here for the full list.

Green List jobs in New Zealand are roles with skill shortages that offer faster pathways to residency, such as scientists, electricians and nurses.

The cost to move to New Zealand in 2026 ranges from NZ$13,251 to NZ$41,344, depending on your preferred visa, your origin country, and the amount you ship. 

Items not allowed into New Zealand include drugs, firearms, weapons, hazardous goods, and anything involved in criminal activity. Click here for the full list. 

The cost to immigrate to the US in 2026 is between $7,133 and $38,000, depending on your preferred visa, your origin country, and the amount you wish to ship.

Goodbye gifts for friends moving away include travel essentials, personalised mementoes, activity gifts for their new city, language aids and self-care items. 

The strongest passport in the world in 2025 is Singapore, according to the Henley Passport Index, followed by South Korea, Japan, Germany, and Italy. 

The easiest countries to get citizenship in 2025 include Italy, Portugal, Malta, Hungary, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda.

Permanent residents and citizens both share similar rights, but permanent residents can't vote, hold a passport, or run for office. 

The best countries for digital nomads are Spain, the Netherlands, Uruguay, Canada, and the Czech Republic, according to the Global Digital Nomad Report.

The best country to raise a family in 2026 is Finland, followed by Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway and Canada.

To meet people in a new city, consider joining an expat community, taking language classes, seeking out sports or hobby clubs, or volunteering in your local community.

The top 10 countries with the best quality of life in 2026 are the Netherlands, Denmark, Luxembourg, Oman, Switzerland, Finland, Austria, Germany, Iceland and Norway.

The cheapest states to live in in 2026 are Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, West Virginia, and Kansas. Learn more about the most affordable US states here.

The cheapest places to live in the US in 2026 are Decatur (Illinois), Enid (Oklahoma), Weirton (West Virginia), Springfield (Illinois) and Mission (Texas). 

The best islands to retire in 2026 are Viti Levu (Fiji), Efate (Vanuatu), Upolu (Samoa), Rarotonga (Cook Islands) and Tongatapu (Tonga). Click to see the full list.

The cost of shipping furniture to Spain from the UK is between £519 and £1,175 based on sending either a Small or Large MoveCube® from London to Madrid.

The US customs prohibited items list includes counterfeit goods, drug paraphernalia, gold from restricted countries, & fruits, vegetables, plants, and seeds. 

A Skilled Worker visa allows overseas nationals to work for an approved UK-based employer. Some common roles include teachers, nurses and IT professionals. 

An in-depth guide for international students looking to study abroad.

A practical guide to looking after your mental health when returning home from abroad.

International shipping refers to the process of transporting items, such as personal effects or commercial cargo, from one country to another.

Visit this page to learn about transhipment and how it differs from direct shipment.

Here we discuss shipping container sizes and how the containerisation process works.

A 40-ft shipping container is 40ft (12.19m) long, 8ft (2.44m) wide and 8ft 6in (2.51m) tall, while a 20-ft container is 20ft (6.1m), 8ft (2.44m) and 8ft 6in (2.51m).

Cargo is the collective name given to goods as they are transported by boat, plane, train, or truck from one place to another. 

Destination charges for international shipping and removals explained. Read it here.

A CITES permit is a document authorising the international trade of endangered wood, plants and animals. Learn more about the CITES permit process here.

A phytosanitary certificate is a document issued by National Plant Protection Organisations certifying that a plant shipment can be imported. Learn more.

A Carnet de Passage en Douane (CPD) allows you to temporarily import vehicles into another country without paying customs taxes. Learn more in this guide.

Read our guide on how to apply for ToR1 (Transfer of Residence) for tax-free shipping to the UK and learn what ToR is, who's eligible and how long it takes.

Canada's BSF186 form is a mandatory document for those returning or moving to Canada that allows you to import personal effects tax-free. Learn more.

US custom form 3299 is a mandatory document that those returning or moving to the USA must complete to ship belongings tax-free into America. Learn more.

Australia's B534 form is a mandatory document for those returning or moving to Australia that allows you to import personal effects tax-free. Learn more.

Self-Assessed Clearance (SAC) is a fast-track customs process in Australia for non-commercial goods, allowing for tax-free self-assessed imports.

Germany's 0350 form is a mandatory document for those returning or moving to Germany that allows you to import personal effects tax-free. Learn more.

New Zealand's NZCS 218 form is a mandatory document for those returning or moving to NZ that allows you to import personal effects tax-free. Learn more.

Japan's C-53060 form is a mandatory document for those returning or moving to Japan that allows you to import personal effects tax-free. Learn more.

Irish customs form C&E 1076 is a mandatory document that those returning or moving to Ireland from outside the EU must complete to ship belongings tax-free.

Form RD-0030E is a Norwegian customs form anyone wishing to import personal belongings into the country must complete. 

A DA304 is a mandatory customs declaration form anyone wishing to import personal belongings into South Africa must complete for tax-free importation. 

T2L and T2LF documents are customs forms used to certify goods as being of EU origin,  so they can benefit from tax exemptions when moving across borders.

An 18.44 form is a mandatory customs declaration form anyone wishing to import personal belongings into Switzerland must complete for tax-free importation. 

A TV 740.47 form is a mandatory customs declaration form anyone wishing to import personal belongings into Sweden must complete for tax-free importation. 

Importing inherited goods is a complex process governed by many regulations. Read this guide to learn how to ship inheritance goods overseas, including ivory.

To ship antiques, determine their age, worth, whether they are made of endangered materials, and the destination country's import rules. Learn more here.

A Bill of Lading (BoL) is a legal document issued by a carrier or transporter of goods to a shipper to acknowledge the receipt of cargo. Learn more here.

A Full Container Load (FCL) is a shipping container filled with only your goods. An LCL (Less than Container Load) combines your shipments with others.

A Certificate of Origin (CO) is used to identify where a product was manufactured. During shipping, customs use COs to determine where goods originate. 

The busiest port in the world is the Port of Shanghai in China, which manages over 47 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) annually. 

The busiest shipping lanes in the world are the English Channel, the Strait of Malacca, the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Panama Canal. 

Shipping containers do float for a few days or even weeks if air is trapped inside, and they hold buoyant goods like plastic or styrofoam. 

A CONEX box is a shipping container developed in 1952 by the US military to move and store supplies, such as food and weapons, during the Korean War. 

Customs clearance is the process that goods go through when shipping them across international borders, which ensures all taxes and legal requirements are met.  

Read this handy packing guide to discover which boxes are unsuitable for international shipping and which will keep your belongings safe.

Read this guide to learn how to declutter your home, including planning for a declutter, deciding what to keep and what to do with spare items and more.

Read this guide to learn how to securely pack a box of your belongings ready for international shipping or storage.

Read this guide on how to get your large items like sports equipment, bikes and guitars ready for our team to collect and transport to our depot for boxing.

Follow the steps in this helpful guide to learn how to securely load a MoveCube® ready for domestic or international shipping.

Read our guide on how to safely ship belongings containing lithium batteries overseas, including packing and labelling tips and insurance advice.

Read this article to learn how to pack a bike for sending abroad, tips for choosing a reliable international shipping company, insurance options and more.

Read this guide to learn how to pack a suitcase and ship luggage efficiently and securely. Includes space-saving packing tips, shipping costs and more.

Read this guide to learn how to prepare, pack and ship clothes overseas efficiently and securely. Includes how to roll clothes, what boxes to use and more.

During international shipping, your fragile items will pass through numerous stages, follow these packing tips to ensure their safety. Read more here.

The best way to ship a guitar is in a hard case inside a well-padded cardboard box, wrapped in protective packaging with loosened strings to reduce tension.

The best way to ship vinyl records is to clean them thoroughly, pack them into a sturdy cardboard box and send them with a trusted shipping company.

To ship golf clubs, clean and dry them, detach the heads, wrap in protective materials, and pack in a robust golf case or shipping box. 

To ship art, use a trusted shipping company, take out insurance to be safe, pack your artwork securely and prepare all required customs paperwork. 

To ship skis, clean them, remove the brakes, cover in bubble wrap, pack in either a hard case or cardboard box, and send them via a trusted shipping company. 

To ship car parts, drain and clean it, wrap it in cushioning materials, pack it into a sturdy box or sole-use moving pod, and send via a trusted shipping company. 

To ship furniture, dismantle the item, clean and dry it, wrap it in cushioning materials and ship using a trusted removals company via a sturdy wooden crate.  

To ship a snowboard, clean it thoroughly and pack it inside a padded snowboard bag or robust box filled with cushioning materials. Read on for more tips.

The best way to ship fishing rods is to disconnect the loose parts, cover in bubble wrap, place into a cardboard tube and send with a trusted shipping company.

To ship a mattress, choose a removals company, measure and weigh your boxed mattress, attach all shipping labels and complete the customs paperwork.

The best way to ship glass is to use a credible shipping company, complete the customs documents and schedule a collection date at the destination. 

To ship a surfboard, choose a shipping company, measure your packed board, print and attach the shipping labels, and complete all customs documents. 

To ship a rug, use a reliable shipping company, wrap it securely, complete customs documents, and schedule a collection date once it arrives at the destination. 

To ship electronics overseas, follow the destination's customs rules, ensure paperwork is accurate and comply with your shipping carrier’s restrictions.

To ship an electric bike internationally, book a shipping service, clean the bike, detach accessories, and pack it in a strong box. Click here for more tips.

Get an answer to your international shipping, removals or storage question fast by searching our FAQs.

These T&Cs explain your rights and responsibilities and ours as a provider of shipping services.

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Please check this page for our general T&Cs and company information about Seven Seas Worldwide.