Moving Abroad from California: Shipping & Customs Guide
Updated July 2026
Why Californians Are Relocating Abroad
Cost of living, remote work flexibility, and family ties are the three reasons we hear most often from California clients planning a move overseas. Retirees are stretching their savings further in Mexico and Portugal, tech and healthcare professionals are taking assignments in Germany and across Asia, and dual nationals are returning to reconnect with family. As a licensed door-to-door moving company based in California, we coordinate the full move for clients across the state, from the first consultation through delivery at your new address overseas.
How California’s Geography Shapes Your Shipping Plan
Where you’re moving from in California changes the logistics more than most people expect. Clients in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Bay Area ship directly through the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach, or Oakland, so the container process starts close to home. Clients in inland cities like Sacramento, Fresno, or Bakersfield need a trucking leg to reach one of those ports first, which we build into the timeline from the start rather than treating as an afterthought. That inland transfer typically adds a day or two to scheduling, not a meaningful cost difference, but it does mean inland moves benefit from starting the planning process a little earlier, generally 8 to 12 weeks before departure.
California’s coastal ports are also some of the busiest in the country, which means sailing schedules and container availability can shift with the season. We track port conditions directly rather than quoting a fixed date and hoping it holds.
Customs Documentation for Common Destinations
On the U.S. side, most household goods shipments require CBP Form 3299 along with a detailed, itemized inventory. What’s required on the destination side varies by country. Germany’s customs authority, the Zoll, expects proof of residence abroad and a completed customs registration form before duty-free entry is granted. Mexico ties duty relief to your immigration status and how long you’ve held it. France and Portugal both require a signed inventory and proof of change of residence, with Portugal’s Certificado de Bagagem process specifically for returning or relocating residents. Clients headed to Italy generally need a similar change-of-residence declaration, while moves to the Middle East and across Asia often carry stricter rules around electronics, alcohol, and certain household items, which we review with you before packing day rather than after a shipment is already held at the border. We prepare the paperwork for your specific destination rather than using a single generic customs packet for every country.
Choosing Between Sea and Air Freight
Sea freight, whether a full container or a shared groupage load, is the more affordable option for a full household and is what most California clients choose. Air freight costs more but makes sense for a smaller shipment of essentials or when you need belongings to arrive within days rather than weeks. Your coordinator will walk through the tradeoff based on your volume and timeline rather than defaulting to whichever option is easiest to sell. More detail is available on our air freight versus sea freight comparison.
Packing, Storage, and Specialty Items
Our packing service uses ISPM-15 compliant crating for wood packaging material, which most destination customs authorities require for goods entering by sea. Pianos, artwork, and wine collections are custom crated rather than boxed. If your new home isn’t ready when your shipment arrives, or you’re staggering a move in phases, we offer climate-controlled storage near our California staging facilities so you’re not forced into a rushed delivery.
Protecting Your Shipment
International shipments carry real risk from handling, humidity, and the occasional customs inspection, and basic carrier liability rarely covers the full value of a household’s belongings. We offer marine insurance options tied to your declared inventory, with a coordinator helping you decide between basic coverage and full replacement value based on what you’re shipping. This matters more for moves that include artwork, a piano, or other high-value items that don’t have an easy replacement once you’ve relocated.
Common Questions from California Clients
Does shipping from an inland city cost more than from a coastal one?
Not meaningfully. The inland trucking leg is factored into your quote up front, not added later as a surprise fee.
Can I ship part of my household now and the rest later?
Yes. Staggered shipments are common for clients waiting on housing or finishing a lease, and we can store the remainder locally until it’s ready to ship.
Do I need to be present for customs clearance?
No. We handle documentation and clearance on your behalf, both at pickup in California and at your destination.
Can I ship a vehicle along with my household goods?
Yes, containerized alongside your shipment where destination regulations allow it. Import rules vary by country, so we confirm eligibility before the vehicle is loaded.
What items can’t I ship internationally?
Restricted items vary by destination but commonly include hazardous materials, certain foods, plants, firearms, and items subject to CITES wildlife regulations. We provide a destination-specific restricted items list during your intake call so nothing is a surprise once packing begins.
Start Your Move from California
Whether you’re shipping from a coastal city or planning around an inland port transfer, SDC coordinates the full move from your California address to your new home overseas. Call 877-339-0267 to speak with a relocation coordinator about your destination and timeline.
