What to Expect When Moving from France to the USA
Updated August 2026
Moving internationally requires careful planning, especially when relocating from France to the USA. From organizing paperwork to packing up your entire home, the process can feel overwhelming without a clear strategy. One of the best ways to stay on track is to follow a comprehensive moving timeline. As a licensed household goods shipping company, SDC has coordinated this corridor for years, and this guide breaks down the key steps starting six months before your move through your arrival in the USA.
Six Months Before the Move
Starting your planning early is key to a successful international move. Six months out is the ideal time to begin researching and organizing essential tasks.
Research and Choose a Moving Company
International moving requires specialized services, so choosing the right company is crucial. Compare quotes, services offered, and experience with the France-to-USA corridor specifically. You can explore how SDC approaches this on our Why Choose SDC page.
Create a Budget
Moving internationally can be costly, so build a comprehensive budget covering moving company fees, travel costs, visa and immigration fees, new housing and utilities setup, and settling-in expenses. A well-planned budget helps you avoid unexpected costs during the move.
Begin Researching Visa and Immigration Requirements
Visa and immigration processes take time, so start early. Make sure every family member has the correct visa or immigration documents, and gather supporting documents like birth certificates, employment records, and financial statements. If you’re unsure which visa category applies, consult an immigration lawyer or relocation expert to avoid delays.
Three to Four Months Before the Move
As your move date approaches, it’s time to organize belongings, finalize documents, and lock in details with your moving company.
Declutter and Downsize
Shipping unnecessary items increases costs, so sort your belongings into keep, sell, and donate or discard categories. Once sorted, SDC’s professional packing services can help organize what’s left for the move.
Schedule Your Move and Choose a Shipping Method
Once you’ve confirmed your moving company, lock in your move date and decide between air and sea freight. Air freight can reach the USA from France in as little as 2 to 5 days, but it costs significantly more and suits smaller, time-sensitive shipments. Sea freight typically takes 4 to 6 weeks and is far more cost-effective for a full household, including bulky items and furniture. For sea shipments, you’ll also choose between a Full Container Load (FCL), your own dedicated container, faster and better for larger moves or shipments that include a vehicle, and Less-than-Container Load (LCL), where you share space with other shipments at a lower cost but a longer timeline due to consolidation. For a deeper comparison, see our guide to air vs. sea freight.
This is also the right time to discuss customs regulations and import requirements with your move coordinator, and to confirm whether you’ll need vehicle shipping or storage.
Start Gathering Documents
Begin collecting documents you’ll need for both the move and settling in the USA: passports and visas, birth and marriage certificates, medical records and prescriptions, school records, employment contracts, and financial documents. Having these organized early avoids last-minute scrambling at customs and during settling-in.
One to Two Months Before the Move
As your date gets closer, it’s time to finalize key tasks and prepare for the actual packing and moving process.
Begin Packing Non-Essentials
Start packing items you won’t need in the weeks before your move, such as seasonal clothing, books, and rarely used kitchen items. Label each box with contents and destination room to make unpacking easier.
Complete Visa Applications
Finalize any remaining visa or immigration paperwork, and confirm all family members’ passports are valid for the duration of your stay. Keep copies of important documents accessible during travel, separate from your shipment.
Notify Utilities and Services
Schedule disconnection of electricity, gas, water, internet, and any local subscriptions in France, and contact your bank about changes to banking or financial services once you’re in the USA. Handling this early avoids being charged for services after you’ve left.
Two Weeks Before the Move
With two weeks left, it’s time to pack final essentials and double-check the logistical details.
Pack Essentials and Final Items
Pack what you’ll need for the first few days after arrival, clothing, toiletries, important documents, electronics and chargers, medications, and basic cooking items, in clearly labeled bags or boxes that stay with you rather than being shipped.
Arrange Vehicle Shipment
If you’re shipping a vehicle, it needs to meet U.S. emissions and safety standards, and the gas tank should be no more than a quarter full. We recommend shipping vehicles inside a container with household goods rather than Roll-On Roll-Off for added protection. For the full breakdown of documentation, eligibility, and preparation, see our dedicated guide to moving your vehicle from France to the USA.
Confirm Customs Paperwork
Used personal belongings that have been in your possession for more than a year are generally duty-free entering the USA, but everything still needs to be declared. New items, vehicles, and commercial goods are typically subject to duties. The core document set includes passport copies, visa information, a detailed inventory of your goods including value, age, and condition, the bill of lading from your mover, and completed customs declaration forms. Our Customs Forms Guide walks through filling these out correctly.
A few categories get extra scrutiny. Alcohol is subject to duties and state-specific import laws regardless of how long you’ve owned it. High-value art and antiques need proper appraisal and sometimes special permits, covered in detail in our guide to relocating art and antiques from France. The USA also has firm rules on prohibited and restricted items, so confirm anything unusual with customs or your coordinator before it ships rather than after.
Moving Week
The final week is about wrapping up last-minute tasks. By this point, most of your belongings should be packed and logistics with your moving company confirmed.
Conduct a Final Walkthrough
Before movers arrive, walk through your home checking closets, drawers, and storage areas for overlooked items, and confirm all boxes are labeled and fragile items marked.
Meet the Movers
Confirm final logistics with your moving team, including which items need extra care, the destination address in the USA, and when your belongings are expected to arrive.
Prepare for Travel
Finalize flights, arrival accommodation, and transportation to and from the airport. Keep passports, visas, and travel itineraries in a secure but accessible place, and pack a small carry-on with essentials for the first few days before your shipment arrives.
Arrival in the USA
Arriving in the USA marks the start of a new chapter. Now it’s time to get settled, clear customs, and unpack.
Customs Clearance
Your belongings go through customs before delivery. Customs officers review your submitted documentation, and if everything is in order, your shipment clears and is released for delivery. Inspections can take a few days depending on shipment complexity, and missing documents or improperly declared goods can hold a shipment for further review. Our Customs Clearance Guide covers what to expect in more detail.
Delivery and Unpacking
Once cleared, your shipment is delivered to your new home, and SDC’s full-service unpacking helps you set up quickly, including furniture placement. If your housing isn’t quite ready, short or long-term storage keeps your goods safe until you are. Check for any damage or missing items and report them immediately if you’ve purchased moving insurance.
Register Your Vehicle
A shipped vehicle needs to clear customs before delivery, and you’ll then need to register it in your new state. Each state has its own process, so check with your local DMV, and have customs clearance forms, proof of ownership, proof of insurance, and any required inspection or emissions documentation ready.
Conclusion
Moving from France to the USA is a big undertaking, but a detailed timeline keeps it manageable. With SDC International Shipping handling the logistics, customs, and delivery, you can focus on settling into your new life. Contact SDC today to begin planning your move.
