Moving to Europe from the USA
Planning an international move to Europe from the USA involves packing, freight, customs, and delivery, all coordinated across a long-haul crossing. As part of our international household moving services, SDC International Shipping manages the full door-to-door process for moves to France, Germany, the UK, and other European destinations, including customs paperwork specific to each country.
How a USA-to-Europe Move Works
The process starts with a consultation to discuss your origin, destination, timing, and rough inventory, followed by a virtual or in-home survey to size your shipment accurately. From there we prepare shipping paperwork and walk you through country-specific customs requirements before your professional packing and export-grade crating begins. Transport follows by sea freight, air freight, or a hybrid of both, and our destination partners complete import formalities and schedule final delivery once your shipment clears customs.
Booking 6 to 8 weeks ahead of your target move date, earlier during peak seasons, gives you the best chance at your preferred pack dates and sailing schedule.
Shipping Options and Typical Timing
A shared, or groupage, container is budget-friendly for smaller volumes, with your goods consolidated alongside other shipments heading to the same region. It suits partial households or flexible timelines well, though it takes somewhat longer than a dedicated container. An exclusive full container load gives you a dedicated 20 or 40 foot container, faster and more direct, and better suited to larger homes, tighter timelines, or a vehicle shipped alongside your household goods. Air freight is fastest overall and best reserved for essentials or high-value items, often paired with a sea freight shipment for the rest of the household.
Direct Europe lanes by FCL typically run 6 to 12 weeks door-to-door. Groupage to the UK or continental Europe generally runs 8 to 16 weeks including consolidation time. Air freight typically arrives in 1 to 3 weeks including export and import handling. These are typical ranges rather than guarantees, since carrier schedules, customs, and local delivery access all affect the final timeline.
Customs by Country
Most European countries offer some relief on duties for used household goods when you are establishing residency, though the specific documents and conditions vary by country.
France
France’s change of residence process typically requires a passport copy, a certificate of change of residence or employer transfer letter, a valued inventory, proof of French residence, and a signed non-resale statement, known as an attestation de non-cession. Goods are generally expected to have been owned and used for at least six months and cannot be sold for 12 months after import.
Germany
Germany typically requires proof of residence change, including deregistration from outside the EU and registration in Germany, along with employment or assignment letters, a passport copy, and a complete goods inventory. Household goods are expected to be for continued personal use rather than resale.
United Kingdom
UK imports of used household goods generally use Transfer of Residence relief, which requires an online ToR application along with passport or ID, a tenancy or purchase agreement, employment or study details, and a full inventory. ToR generally expects that you lived outside the UK or EU for at least 12 months, owned and used your items for six months or more, and will not sell them for 12 months after import.
Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway
These destinations follow a similar pattern for used personal effects: establishing residency, proving ownership and use, and observing a non-resale period after import. Your coordinator will confirm the specific documents and timelines for your destination and help prepare a compliant inventory.
Packing, Protection, and Storage
International transit means long distances, multiple handoffs, and customs inspection, so packing has to hold up to more than a domestic move. Our crews use export-grade cartons, cushioning, and wrap systems built for ocean and air conditions, with custom crating for artwork, instruments, and other fragile pieces, and inventory marked down to the piece number for customs visibility. Full and partial packing are both available depending on your plan and budget. If your new home is not ready when your shipment arrives, storage is available at origin and destination to bridge the gap.
Vehicle Shipping
Cars and motorcycles frequently travel in the same exclusive container as household goods, which simplifies logistics and is often more cost-effective than a separate shipment. Since ownership, emissions, and registration rules vary by country, your coordinator confirms feasibility and documentation before booking. We document vehicle condition, disconnect alarms, and secure the vehicle for transit, and vehicle coverage can be added within your moving insurance plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay duties or VAT on my used household goods?
Many clients qualify for relief when establishing residence, such as change-of-residence rules in France or ToR in the UK. Rules vary by country and documentation, and your coordinator will confirm eligibility and the correct forms.
Can SDC ship my car or motorcycle to Europe?
Yes, when containerized with your household goods in an exclusive container. We confirm route feasibility, destination compliance, and required ownership documents before booking.
Is professional packing required?
Not always, but it is strongly recommended, since export packing reduces damage risk and simplifies customs. We offer full or partial packing and custom crating for fragile items.
How do I ship pets to Europe?
We do not offer pet shipping directly, but can recommend trusted pet relocation specialists who coordinate compliant travel and the destination-specific requirements for microchips, vaccinations, and health certificates.
Call 877-339-0267 or request a quote to talk through your move to Europe.
