Moving from California to Europe: A Guide for a Hassle-Free Relocation
Updated July 2026
Moving from California to Europe involves more moving parts than a typical relocation: shipping logistics, customs clearance in your destination country, and a residency timeline that determines whether your belongings qualify for duty-free import. As a licensed door-to-door moving company that coordinates household goods shipments from California ports to destinations across Europe, we’ve put together what actually matters when you’re planning this move, not just what to pack.
Setting a Realistic Timeline
Most households moving from California to Europe use ocean freight, either a shared groupage container (LCL) or a full container (FCL) if there’s enough volume to justify one. Groupage shipments typically take about 8 to 16 weeks door-to-door once your goods leave California, since the container has to be consolidated with other shipments bound for the same region and deconsolidated again on arrival. FCL shipments move faster because there’s no wait to fill a shared container, though the added cost only makes sense once you have enough to fill one on your own.
If you need certain items sooner, work equipment or documents, for example, we often recommend splitting the shipment: a small air freight consignment for what you need immediately, with the rest following by sea. Start the booking process 8 to 12 weeks before your target move date so there’s room for scheduling, packing, and any documentation delays.
Customs Documents by Country
Duty-free import of used household goods into Europe generally depends on establishing residency, and every country has its own paperwork for proving it. A few examples from moves we’ve coordinated:
France requires a change-of-residence certificate from the French consulate, or a work assignment letter from your employer, confirming you lived in the U.S. for at least a year before the move. You’ll also sign an attestation de non-cession, a statement confirming you’ve owned the items for at least six months and won’t sell them for twelve months after import. Without the certificate, French customs can assess duties and taxes at roughly half the shipment’s declared value, so this isn’t paperwork to leave until the last minute.
The United Kingdom uses Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief, which requires an online application submitted well before your goods arrive, along with proof you lived outside the UK for at least 12 months and owned your belongings for at least six.
Germany asks for proof of deregistration from your U.S. address and registration at your new German address, along with an employer or assignment letter and a full goods inventory.
In every case, your inventory needs to be complete and, often, translated or valued in the local currency. We prepare this with clients well ahead of shipping so there’s no scramble once the container reaches port.
Packing for the Journey
Export packing is different from a local move. Everything needs to withstand weeks in transit, changes in humidity, and handling at multiple ports, not just a truck ride across town. Our crews build a detailed, itemized inventory as they pack, which is required for both customs and insurance, and use wardrobe boxes, moisture barriers, and custom wood crating for anything fragile or high-value: pianos, artwork, chandeliers. If you’re shipping something specialized, ask about our professional packing services before your move date is locked in, since specialty crating takes longer to schedule than standard packing.
What the Move Doesn’t Cover
A moving company can get your belongings to Europe, but it won’t get you a visa, an apartment, or health coverage. Start visa research early, since requirements and processing times vary widely by country and by your reason for moving: work, study, or retirement. Housing searches in major European cities often move fast, so many clients arrange short-term temporary housing for the first few weeks and look for a permanent place after arriving. Healthcare enrollment timelines also vary by country, so check what’s required before you land rather than after.
Choosing a Mover for This Route
SDC International Shipping is licensed by the Federal Maritime Commission for ocean freight, and we coordinate California-to-Europe household goods moves from the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach as well as inland pickups across the state. Every move gets a single coordinator who manages your documents, tracks your shipment, and can walk you through the country-specific customs forms in advance, so you’re not filling them out blind. If you want help understanding a specific customs form before committing to a shipping date, our customs forms guide walks through the fields most people get stuck on.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to ship household goods from California to Europe?
Groupage (shared container) shipments typically take 8 to 16 weeks door-to-door. A full container moves faster since there’s no consolidation wait, and a smaller air freight shipment can arrive in days rather than weeks.
Do I need a separate process to ship a car?
Yes. Most European countries treat vehicle imports separately from household goods, with their own documentation, including title, proof of ownership period, and often a roadworthiness inspection, and duty-free treatment usually requires the same residency and ownership timelines as household goods.
What happens if I don’t have the residency certificate for my destination country?
Customs can assess duties and taxes on the full declared value of your shipment, which in some countries runs close to half the shipment’s worth. It’s worth requesting this documentation as early as possible, ideally before you finalize a ship date.
Can I ship part of my belongings now and the rest later?
Some countries allow a second shipment if you declare that intention during the first import. This needs to be arranged in advance with your customs paperwork, not decided after the fact.
Call 877-339-0267 to talk through your move, or reach out through our website to start putting together a shipping timeline based on your target dates.
