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What Should You Ship When Relocating Overseas for a Two-Year Work Assignment?
A two-year international work assignment is long enough to make a temporary home feel permanent, but shipping your entire household overseas may not be the most practical choice. You need enough familiar belongings to settle comfortably without paying to transport items you might not use or want when you return. When you’re planning to ship belongings overseas for work, start by understanding your assignment, accommodation, and likely lifestyle at your destination.
Start with Your Accommodation and Assignment
Before arranging an international shipment, find out what your new accommodation includes. A furnished apartment may already have essential furniture, kitchen equipment, and appliances. If your employer is arranging housing, ask whether you can review the property details before deciding what to ship.
Also consider whether your assignment could be extended or shortened. If your return date is uncertain, shipping fewer possessions may give you more flexibility.
Decide What to Ship, Store, or Leave Behind
Divide your belongings into three main categories:
- Ship:Prioritise personal items, professional equipment, clothing, important books, and possessions that would be expensive or difficult to replace.
- Store:Keep valuable furniture, seasonal belongings, family heirlooms, and items you expect to use when you return.
- Sell or donate:Consider leaving behind bulky furniture, older appliances, and inexpensive household goods that may cost more to transport than replace.
Think carefully about electronics and appliances, too. Electrical standards, plug types, and voltage requirements vary between countries. Some devices may need adapters or converters, while others may not be suitable for use abroad.
Compare Shipping and Storage Options
Once you know what you want to take, request an international moving quote based on your actual shipment volume. You may not need a dedicated container for a smaller relocation. Less-than-container-load (LCL) shipping allows you to share container space with other shipments, while groupage may be available for eligible destinations.
For belongings you plan to leave in the USA, compare the cost of storage against the expense of transporting them internationally and bringing them back later. An international moving company with storage options may help coordinate both parts of your relocation.
The Federal Maritime Commission offers useful guidance on planning an overseas household goods shipment, including requesting detailed quotes and reviewing moving contracts.
Keep Essential Items Accessible
Your household shipment may take several weeks or longer to arrive, depending on the destination and shipping arrangements. Pack documents, medications, work equipment, valuables, and a few weeks of clothing separately so you can access them immediately. Your employer may also have specific requirements for transporting work-related equipment.
Before booking overseas relocation shipping, confirm what your employer will cover, including packing, transportation, storage, and insurance. This helps you budget for expenses that may not be included in your relocation package.
At International Sea & Air Shipping, we help professionals plan international household moves around their shipment size and relocation requirements. We can help you compare shipping and storage options and arrange a practical solution for your assignment. Contact us for a personalised quote.