- Download our Moving to the USA Guide (PDF)
The costs and logistics of shipping items to, from or across the US are largely dependent on the area of the country goods are being shipped to.
Both coasts of America have a number of major ports, making shipping to these regions less expensive than inland. To deliver smaller cargo to landlocked cities, it is much faster to use air-freight delivery. It is also a good idea to buy cargo insurance, and most reputable movers will offer this.
Shipping household goods to the USA
Household goods can be brought into the USA duty-free as long as they are not new and have been in use for at least a year prior to relocation. When transporting household goods into the US, it's important to ensure that a full and detailed inventory list accompanies the shipment.
Shipping pets to the USA
There are numerous vaccination, microchipping and certification requirements that must be met before a pet can be brought into the US. The details of these requirements can vary widely depending on the country of origin and the intended state of residence. In addition, numerous government bodies may be involved in determining the requirements for entry. This can include the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the Center for Disease Control (CDC) the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Expats should check the websites of these entities and seek information on their new home state's requirements to ensure full compliance. If requirements aren't fully met, animals are shipped back to the country they flew in from at the expense of the owner.
Note that the CDC has issued a temporary suspension for dogs entering the USA from high-risk countries for rabies. Originally, this restriction was to be lifted in July 2021 – however, it has been extended to July 2023.